Hurrican IAN

Was getting boat ready for 8-10’ flood tides n Tampa Bay, had serious concerns about wave action topping jetty. As we speak, water level is 3.5’ below MLLW and forecasted drop another foot. Now have Serious concerns about boat settling on bottom, hopefully will be protected by copious silt layer…

However, I’ll take the 60kt winds and a grounding to the Cat-4 spanking.

pics of boat mid preparations

Well webbed!

I just hope not to run out of piles.

I'm 14miles up the Caloosahatchee and we have 4ft of water over the 6ft high wall. The flooding is going to far outweigh the wind damages. I just heard, but have not confirmed, that Legacy Harbor in downtown is no longer there.
Not surprised considering I've seen 4ft of water on Main Street Fort Myers a bit ago.

My CC is under a collapsed roof where I summer store it,
This is a real sh*t show.
I suspect power will be 2-3 weeks coming back as most transformers are underwater right now, every one will need to be replaced.

Was just looking and noticed,, The eye is gone.
I'll watch to see if it comes back, but for now it is gone.
What does this really mean?
pics;
Radar mapped.
Just radar.
Then INFRA+ Sat image.

All pics are from the same time. Look at Sebring for reference to the eye in the Sat pic.

We were up another 2 feet a couple of years ago for some forgotten storm.
At normal mean high tide level, the aft deck is just at the docks deck..
We have had this N/E wind at the mouth of the StJohns river for over a week now, so the river is already backed up and the storm is just coming. That's what has my attention.
We spec'd above the 100 year flood plan when we built the dock. I don't think the gunnels will top the piles.
I can wade to the dock if the water really comes up, it's the T'd off gators and moccasins that will bother me when doing so. That what really worries me.

Interestingly we didn't get a lot of rain either, probably less than 4inches all day. Huge winds though

Good morning all. Rain all night here, wind to 30kts.
More rain and taller winds expected today.
Low tide never happened. Still rising.

How is everybody else doing?

Our boat lives in Clearwater. Finished up prep work on Monday prior to the causeway shutting down. Power never went out on the dock and we have been able to watch the boat throughout. Talking with friends local it appears we missed any substantial impact.

From what I have heard from friends along the west coast the media is NOT overhyping the impact. This was a significant event that will probably change boating in a big way along the coast. Important for us to remember as we see the images coming out that there are people behind the these images. Too early to know the extent of loss of life, but at a minimum peoples homes, places of employment, and lives that have had significant impact.

Thoughts and prayers for the people of southwest florida.

Boat was mired in silt/mud. Generator, AC, Gyro all shut down presumably to high temp. Should be easy enough to clean / flush. Much rather be lucky than smart…

Water still coming up.

Our porch is going to go under this evening. House is another 2.5' over the porch. We should be fine.
Getting close for a bite to eat and another nap, What else to do.





Huckins yard way under water. I wonder if my October 10 haul schedule will be affected.

Now as the storm is passing east of us, It will continue to push surge and wind into the St Johns River.
Nothing close to the clobbering as S/W Florida received but the fat lady (or Johnny Cash) is not finished singing yet.
The ugly(er) winds are starting up now also..

J: That’s an interesting thought. The big fear was flood tide topping relatively low jetty by 5-8’, exposing boat to unimpeded waves. My logic was to distribute the load across all the available cleats in an attempt to not put disproportionate load on a single cleat or pilling. Additionally, couldn’t see boat being driven against dock from open water ending well.

the black lines are 2.5” storm lines. In theory, based on forecasted winds, they would “load” before he other 1” lines started acting as a shock absorber. All lines have chaffing gear. SeaKeeper was left running to dampen roll as much as possible. Had storm been forecasted to hold course, could have installed another complete set of 1” lines.

VERY happy my theories were not subjected to the test of reality….

I’ve been through a few hurricanes, but never a direct hit. Very interested in opinions of a better way to have secured the boat given the forecast we were working from (Cat 1 or less) 6’-8’ flood tide, possibility of jetty being topped)