Hurricane Milton

Everyone ready for "Uncle Miltie"?

By the time he's done, I think, adjusting for inflation, this season could well be the costliest one on record - that includes Katrina, where during '05, she was "Maid of Honor".

And finally; for those tuning in late around here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Berle

GBN and Everyone: Yes-the name Milton made me think of the late comedian Milton Berle...

But-This time the threat to the Florida Peninsula is NO laughing matter...Making landfall as a strong Category 3 or Category 4 storm is going to cause even more serious problems for FL after Helene's widespread damage...

There is at least some time for FL residents in Milton's path for an exodus out of harm's way...Amtrak services could be a way north for some before all modes of travel becomes affected...

At this point I will again mention that this topic should become GLOBAL and be taken out of the Amtrak Forum...

These storms have - and will - affect Florida far more then only passenger rail services...There are forecasters from various media outlets that are comparing Milton to Katrina and Camille in terms of possible catastrophic storm damages - for those that may be unaware these two past storms were the strongest Gulf of Mexico hurricanes (1969 and 2005 respectively) in recent history...I recall reading a historical article titled "Camille was no Lady"... And for that matter neither was Katrina...After this week the new thought may be "Milton was no Gentleman..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Camille
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Katrina

What is noteable that both Camille and Katrina were August hurricanes...
Both of those storms - and now this year Helene and Milton - are/were "fueled" by the very warm Gulf of Mexico...We may be conversing about these 2024 storms for quite some time in their aftermaths...MACTRAXX

I wonder if Amtrak has posted any Service Alerts yet?

Also, save that '98 family emergency I noted at another topic, I've never been in Florida earlier than Thanksgiving, or later than Easter (go down several times each year).

Gilbert B Norman wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 8:27 am I wonder if Amtrak has posted any Service Alerts yet?

Also, save that '98 family emergency I noted at another topic, I've never been in Florida earlier than Thanksgiving, or later than Easter (go down several times each year).

They have. All Silver service trains will terminate in Jacksonville starting today through Thursday, and originate there Tuesday through Friday. No AutoTrains Tues-Thurs.

That said, we should also not forget about Hurricane Sandy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Sandy

For those who are a bit lazy, Sandy was a Cat 3 hurricane that came ashore in 2012 at such a way that flooded major tracks and yards in the New York City area, causing tons of damage to tracks and yards alone.

Milton's projected to be a Cat 4.

I got to meet Milton Berle back in 1992. He was on a JFK-LAX flight that canceled, and we were working to get him his bag. The five or ten minutes he was at the counter, he was cracking one-liners. Absolute genius and quick witted thinker even at the age of 83. Not a single mean word, either.

CBS Radio News reports Uncle Miltie is now a Cat 5; 160mph gusts.

Evacuation trains? Think that thru a second....

1) Orlando is also in the path of the storm, so are you planning to move people to Miami? If so, six hours by train makes a lot less sense than a couple hours by bus.
2) Are people really going to abandon their personal vehicles or get on a bus to take a train, and then be prisoners at a hotel or evacuation center in Orlando?

In a city where you have a lot of people who don't own cars, evacuation trains might be an option, but you really can't live that way in South Florida unless you're in assisted living or a senior complex with a dining room.

My wife lived in MIA for a number of years, and I have a lot of co-workers and family on the TPA side. When you live down there, you have a plan and a go-kit.

Most of the folks I spoke to today had already packed the cars to head up towards Gainesville or Georgia. Some headed north over the weekend.

ChesterValley wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 10:47 am Last flyover from a hurricane hunter https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/M ... 453.shtml?

Data from NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft
indicate that the maximum sustained winds have increased to near
155 mph (250 km/h) with higher gusts. Milton is a category 4
hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Milton is
forecast to become a category 5 hurricane later today and become a
large hurricane over the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Looks like St. Petersburg and Tampa are looking down the barrel of a worst case scenario if this thing remains at current levels on current track. Since this is a railroad form, if brightline had been running trains to Tampa could they have provided evacuation trains?

Could, if Gov. DeSantis paid for it. But I doubt it. They'd have to evac up to Jacksonville, and Brightline's not up to that yet.

How much equipment did Amtrak leave in MIA and especially Sanford? If any gets damaged, then a pox on management.

Doubtful anything serviceable would be left at Sanford.

MIA isn't in the storm path, so why would that be a concern?

Long Story Short, see the images.

Link is https://www.amtrak.com/alert/modified-s ... lton0.html

eolesen wrote: ↑Mon Oct 07, 2024 10:03 am I got to meet Milton Berle back in 1992. He was on a JFK-LAX flight that canceled, and we were working to get him his bag. The five or ten minutes he was at the counter, he was cracking one-liners. Absolute genius and quick witted thinker even at the age of 83. Not a single mean word, either.

Eolesen,
I was just reading this post and noticed your commentary above. If I interpret this correctly, you were working for an airline in 1992 in JFK? If that's correct, curious to know what airline you worked for.

In 1992 I began work with Trans World Express, INC. Formerly Pan Am Express. Most of my time was in Buffalo but I did some grueling time in JFK. Although I can't complain about the view of 747's all over the place.

SST wrote: ↑Tue Oct 08, 2024 3:28 pm I was just reading this post and noticed your commentary above. If I interpret this correctly, you were working for an airline in 1992 in JFK? If that's correct, curious to know what airline you worked for.

I was with American back then. Between the endless parade of 747's and the Concorde, JFK was the place to be.

Tampa to Fort Myers are all in the current projection, with the eye coming right over Sarasota. Sanford is right at the edge of the projection.