OK
then: it looks like Ophelia actually is going to bring more problems over here than previously anticipated. That is, the media and national weather centres, being (probably) overexposed to Katrina coverage, upgraded the weather conditions for tropical storm Ophelia. It apparently did pummel the Carolina coast but nobody is actually sure what to expect over here.
Since Ophelia isn’t graded as a hurricane, I ‘only’ expect Gustav-like rainfall and winds, which will come with intermittent power outages. Hopefully not of the ‘long-term’-kind.
Interesting to see the ambivalent approach by the authorities: since Ophelia is officially classified as a tropical storm, they urged people last night to be prepared for the worst, which led many people to go out and stock up. To the panicking people of Truro: you bought up all the Campbell’s noodles I usually need for work. I hate you, now. Also, to the person who bought up fresh meat: if you lose power, you will regret having any meat in the house.
Point of interest: as usual, Weather office’s excellent hurricane track pages.
