Hurricane Sally Makes Landfall Near Gulf Shores

Louisiana and Mississippi dodged a bullet -- a small one, but still a bullet. Our friends in south Alabama and west Florida were not as fortunate. Those of you who know folks over there need to check on them. From my experience in Camille and Katrina, and several lesser storms, I can assure you that there is nothing so valuable right now as knowing you are not alone and others who care have your back. (I foolishly lost my sons' insulin supplies in Katrina and a friend in north Mississippi got replacements to us within days.)

I will not invoke the dieties because what we were spared was inflicted upon others. It is more comforting to consider hurricanes to be one of those evils just set loose and left to its own devices. We can only beat such beasts through collective love, good will, and support.

Another cruel irony -- the amount of rain dumped by Sally would have extinguished all of the West Coast fires in hours. We are talking in terms of 12"+ per day. I do not like hurricanes, but fire strikes deep fear. Good luck to all out west.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/09/16/hurricane-sally-flooding-florida-alabama/ provides the following rainfall statistics:

@weathermatrix:
Highest rainfall reports (3 day) from Hurricane #Sally:
Bellview, FL: 30.00"
Pensacola, FL: 24.80"
Destin, FL: 24.52"
Orange Beach, AL: 21.99"
Gulf Shores, FL: 21.83"
Pensacola, FL: 20.35"

@SamBrockNBC:
Naval Air Station- 24.8 inches