Jim Farrell Weather

Hi everyone. I’m here, always watching the tropics from a SW Florida point of view. As always, I don’t post unless there is a threat and I don’t see a credible one at this time. Enjoy your Friday!

Update Tuesday 12:35pm: Not much to update since my post on Sunday. That post is still valid today. Im checking in because I’m not sure if everyone realizes how bad and widespread the storm surge flooding will be. After Ian, just playing the odds, I thought that it would be decades before SWFL saw an Ian-like surge again. Here we are 2 years later, facing another “once in a lifetime” surge event. When it comes to surge in SWFL , it doesn’t matter if Milton’s center passes over Tampa or Sarasota so I’m not dwelling on the exact landfall location. What matters is Milton’s strength and structure and both will be strong enough and large enough to push salt water into neighborhoods that don’t usually expect it. Downtown Ft. Myers has been underwater from a tropical storm that hit near Sarasota so how much worse will a major hurricane be with a landfall in the same area? Downtown Punta Gorda - underwater. Estero Island - underwater. Downtown Ft. Myers and waterfront Cape Coral - underwater. Many other areas will have salt water flooding, too. I can’t list them all but you should leave if your zone has an evacuation order. Let’s do what it takes to fight another day. ~Jim Farrell

6:40pm Sunday Update: Milton still has the potential to be a catastrophic and deadly hurricane for parts of SW Florida. I urge to to complete all preparations before sunset Tuesday. Time will run out. My biggest concern is for deadly storm surge. While Milton will not be a carbon copy of Ian there will be similarities in some cases. If you experienced salt water flooding (storm surge) from Ian you may be flooded again. I believe that Punta Gorda and Ft. Myers Beach are at a high risk and if Milton arrives as a major Category 3 hurricane these areas, along with other vulnerable neighborhoods will be under water. There is a chance that wind shear, strong wind above Milton, will weaken Milton but we nay not know that until after evacuations should be complete and Milton is closer. If your neighborhood was under water with Ian take Milton seriously. Good Luck and God Bless! ~ Jim Farrell

TD14 is now Tropical Storm Milton and it is forecast to become a major hurricane and hit nearby or in SWFL on Wednesday. If so, we will have another round of salt water flooding, heavy rain and wind. I expect some evacuations, school cancellations, power outages, salt and fresh water flooding and some wind damage. Milton will be a troublemaker, take care this week. ~ Jim Farrell

20 years ago…

Former WINK-News chief meteorologist remembers Hurricane Charley like it was yesterday