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Caution advised as Ida churns the gulf
By SUZETTE PORTER
| Article published on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 |
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| Pinellas County is in the edge of the forecast cone for Hurricane Ida. |
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According to the latest weather forecast, late-season Hurricane Ida probably will not be coming near Pinellas County.
Computer models from the National Hurricane Center show the most likely landfall spot to be somewhere in the Florida Panhandle.
However, officials are urging everyone on the Florida West Coast to keep an eye on the weather and use extra caution on the water.
On Sunday afternoon, the U.S. Coast Guard began urging mariners to use extra caution.
“With heavy weather predicted into the week, the Coast Guard is urging the maritime community and boating public to monitor coastal and offshore weather conditions before deciding to go out on the sea,” a press release said.
Coast Guard officials said small-craft advisories were expected to remain in effect for most of the week due to high winds and rough seas.
Adverse weather effects generated by a depression, storm or hurricane can cover an area hundreds of miles wide, the Coast Guard said. Even those recreational boaters and the maritime industry that fall outside the direct path of a storm are advised to be cognizant of dangerous weather conditions and take appropriate precautions to stay safe and minimize damage.
The Coast Guard offered the following tips to help mariners protect themselves, their families, and their vessels include:
- Do not go out to sea in a recreational boat if you know a tropical storm is approaching.
- Contact local marinas to ask for advice about securing your vessel. Marina operators are knowledgeable and can advise you on the best methods for securing your boat.
- Take action early. The effects of a tropical storm event can be felt well in advance of the storm itself and can prevent the safe completion of preparations.
- Storms move quickly and are unpredictable. You can always replace a boat; you cannot replace a life.
A Hudson man learned first-hand just how rough conditions were on Sunday.
The Clearwater Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog at approximately 12:50 p.m. after his 42 foot fishing vessel was beset by weather about 50 miles west of Clearwater.
Gregory Lansier, 46, contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 9:19 a.m. Sunday reporting he was unable to return to port on his boat, the Padre, due to weather conditions.
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue crew safely hoisted Lansier and his dog.
Lansier was taken to Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater with no medical concerns.
The Coast Guard reported weather conditions on-scene were 7-to-10 foot seas with 30-to-35 knot winds.
On Sunday night, Category 2 Hurricane Ida was moving toward the north-northwest through the Gulf of Mexico at about 14 miles per hour. Forecasters with the National Hurricane Center predicted that Ida would remain a hurricane as it approached the northern Gulf Coast by Monday night or early Tuesday.
Ida was expected to bring rainy conditions to much of Florida for the early part of the work week. Forecasters predicted a 30 percent chance of rain Monday night for Pinellas County increasing to a 50 percent chance on Tuesday.
Residents also can expect breezy conditions due to a high pressure in the east as well as Ida offshore to the west.
State emergency officials urged people to use caution along all Florida coastlines due to a moderate to high risk of rip currents.
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Article published on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009
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