Traveling with Ernesto
I have a friend that is in San Antonio at the moment driving to Miami. Thought folks might be interested in what I advised him so he wouldn't bump in to Ernesto.
"Just looking at Ernesto - it has just been downgraded to a tropical storm again blowing 50 mph winds. It will hit the coast of Cuba in 24 hours and will leave Cuba to traverse over the Fl straits in 48 hours - then it will be off Tampa in about 60 hours according to the predictions.
So if you can reach Miami in the next 48-60 hours, you should be ok. If you drag your feet, you will prbably hit some heavy rain and wind as you move down the length of Florida. If you are really slow, the storm may cross your path in FL.
You have about 1000 miles to Jacksonville and then 300 to Miami. If you hurry you could do it in 2 days but more likely closer to 3 - just when Ernesto is due to cross FL to the north east. If you hurry, I suggest you go via Jacksonville and then down 95 to Miami. That will put you about 100 miles away from the projected track of Ernesto at the closest (off Tampa) in 2.5 days and at that distance, they are predicting 35mph winds and lots of rain. Not un-navigable and as you get 30 miles farther away from the storm, the wind drops to 25mph.
Otherwise, why not hang out in Tallahassee if you see the storm crossing your path until it moves off to the north east. If you are slower and it crosses FL before you get there - go down 75 if the storm is to the east of you and cross over alligator alley from Naples. Gives you a chance to see the everglades!
Of course all this assumes that Ernesto will follow the predicted path and not come inland in FL sooner. Also there is no telling what will happen to the storm as it crosses the length of Cuba. Many storms blow out doing this so .... cross your fingers.
Hope this gives you some weather insight. And take care."
And we here in the DR well have a damp but cool sleep as we wave goodbye (hopefully) to Ernesto.
aranoid:
