Tampa Convention Hurricane Watch

[NCGOPer_for_Paul]

Also do you think the RNC is going to force security, logistics, and all the THOUSANDS of others involved in putting on this event to be outside with even a Tropical Storm hitting? Yes they have done countless drills for this exact thing but now its a real storm..... and real lives on the line. I expect that if by Friday night even a Tropical Storm (more likely Cat 1-2 Hurricane) has Tampa anywhere in the path the convention gets postponed until at least Wednesday.

Postponing isn't necessarily an option either. First of all, the hotels and other businesses have to be able to conduct business. The convention can't kick out other reservations, etc. Second, there are laws about the two major conventions going on at the same time.

Cancelling and handling the votes electronically might be the only real option if this gets that bad.

My state has a conference call tonight. Hopefully, we'll get an update.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Also do you think the RNC is going to force security, logistics, and all the THOUSANDS of others involved in putting on this event to be outside with even a Tropical Storm hitting? Yes they have done countless drills for this exact thing but now its a real storm..... and real lives on the line. I expect that if by Friday night even a Tropical Storm (more likely Cat 1-2 Hurricane) has Tampa anywhere in the path the convention gets postponed until at least Wednesday.

I'll bet you're right. I guess that would mean Rand doesn't get his speaking gig.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Postponing isn't necessarily an option either. First of all, the hotels and other businesses have to be able to conduct business. The convention can't kick out other reservations, etc. Second, there are laws about the two major conventions going on at the same time.

Cancelling and handling the votes electronically might be the only real option if this gets that bad.

My state has a conference call tonight. Hopefully, we'll get an update.

Most non-essential businesses close during a tropical storm or hurricane.

 

[NCGOPer_for_Paul]

Most non-essential businesses close during a tropical storm or hurricane.

Of course. I'm talking AFTER the threat passes.

If the convention was moved to Wed-Sun, that's Friday, Saturday, and Sunday that weren't planned for. There may be other events already scheduled. Not to mention, many delegates may not be able to stay and/or get there. I HAVE to be back in Charlotte Saturday. My in-laws who are watching my daughter convention week leave on a trip on Sunday.

 

[UtahApocalypse]

Just to give an idea the possible seriousness of this:

This is the Hurricane location and size Monday afternoon.

This is the Hurricane Wind Field at the same time. That is Cat 1-2 Winds just off from Tampa.

 

[thoughtomator]

ouch... and a sideswipe is worse than a direct hit, you don't even get relief from the eye passing over

 

[ronpaulfollower999]

I'm seriously re-considering my trip to Tampa. I was planning to be there Sun-Weds.. if the hurricane hits on Monday, I feel like I can make it in ok, but I don't want to get stuck there and not able to leave on time.

I heard gas for your car becomes a problem too as all the locals are bugging out at the same time...

I always gas up when a storm forms, even if its not forecasted to come near me. It can get hectic in the 48 hours before, and the week after the storm.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Of course. I'm talking AFTER the threat passes.

If the convention was moved to Wed-Sun, that's Friday, Saturday, and Sunday that weren't planned for. There may be other events already scheduled. Not to mention, many delegates may not be able to stay and/or get there. I HAVE to be back in Charlotte Saturday. My in-laws who are watching my daughter convention week leave on a trip on Sunday.

Yes, it's a logistical nightmare. Supposedly they have a plan (from an article posted in this thread somewhere), but I haven't heard what the plan is yet.

 

[ronpaulfollower999]

Yes, it's a logistical nightmare. Supposedly they have a plan (from an article posted in this thread somewhere), but I haven't heard what the plan is yet.

What if there is no plan?

I bet the organizers had a Titanic like moment figuring Tampa won't get hit by a storm, but just to make it look like we have a backup plan we'll add a few "precautionary" measures.

 

[UtahApocalypse]

Yes, it's a logistical nightmare. Supposedly they have a plan (from an article posted in this thread somewhere), but I haven't heard what the plan is yet.

Supposedly they planned on "every worst case scenario" and looking at the model data from the last run this would hopefully been the top on the list. A Cat 1-2 Hurricane skirting the coast just off of Tampa will be devastating. I do not see any realistic, and safe way to hold the convention if the model tracks verify for the next 24 hours and keep the current track.

You have to remember that the state, and local officials first priority is not that of the RNC but the citizens that live in the area. I cannot imagine the RNC continuing the convention while the possibility that local residents will be evacuated or worse is occurring. The Democrats would love to get the headline "While Florida residents lose home GOP party goes on"

I stand by my prediction that should the next 4 model runs over the 2 days follow the current track the RNC is done Friday night and delayed, or even canceled.

 

[NCGOPer_for_Paul]

What if there is no plan?

I bet the organizers had a Titanic like moment figuring Tampa won't get hit by a storm, but just to make it look like we have a backup plan we'll add a few "precautionary" measures.

I'd seriously doubt there is any plan for alternate arrangements. The call will be made when 15,000 delegates, alternates, and guests are in the air or on the road to Tampa, and the problem is, there's no way to communicate that plan to everyone, nor can security be put in place that quickly.

Have a feeling the Convention itself would be cancelled, and delegates would have a "convention" within their state(s) to vote on platform, nominee, etc.

RNC will pay the way of all delegates, alternates, and guests to a party w/Romney/Ryan somewhere in the US between now and November.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Supposedly they planned on "every worst case scenario" and looking at the model data from the last run this would hopefully been the top on the list. A Cat 1-2 Hurricane skirting the coast just off of Tampa will be devastating. I do not see any realistic, and safe way to hold the convention if the model tracks verify for the next 24 hours and keep the current track.

You have to remember that the state, and local officials first priority is not that of the RNC but the citizens that live in the area. I cannot imagine the RNC continuing the convention while the possibility that local residents will be evacuated or worse is occurring. The Democrats would love to get the headline "While Florida residents lose home GOP party goes on"

I stand by my prediction that should the next 4 model runs over the 2 days follow the current track the RNC is done Friday night and delayed, or even canceled.

If they don't they open themselves up to the criticism that you mentioned in the last line of your 2nd paragraph. Your assessment of the situation is spot on.

 

[ronpaulfollower999]

Interesting times ahead.

Should it come to pass, I for some reason doubt that the RNC or DNC will schedule a convention in the Southeast during summer again.

 

[thoughtomator]

By the way, there's another storm brewing up that appears to be right on track to hit North Carolina during the DNC.

 

[ronpaulfollower999]

By the way, there's another storm brewing up that appears to be right on track to hit North Carolina during the DNC.

Perhaps God/nature/Allah/etc is trying to tell us something about the two parties:

 

[UtahApocalypse]

New Model Data just now coming in....Not complete but here is at 144 hrs from now:

and this:

I will try to get the data plotted into the same as my other ones from earlier. But Tampa is direct hit.

Odds in RNC not happening as planned are increasing.

 

[UtahApocalypse]

Looking at the newest model run....

If I could bet on the RNC being delayed or canceled due to Issac at this point I would drop $1000 on it easily. This is looking like absolutely worst case scenario. See the Hurricane will be off the coast and thus not lose strength due to land interaction. It will be South West and moving north which will push a huge storm surge into Tampa Bay. At this point I would bet that the Ron Paul after Party Sunday night will be canceled, it's possible that Whiskey Joe's will be boarded up by then and not even there Monday night.

 

[cajuncocoa]

Tampa Bay has only been hit directly by a hurricane ONCE, and that was 90 years ago.

In 2004, the state of Florida had been hit by numerous tropical systems (4 hurricanes, 1 tropical storm). Dems were fond of blaming this on the 2000 election fiasco.

If there's any basis for that, I wonder if the RNC is being punished now for all the assaults on Ron Paul delegates and cheating during the primaries? Just sayin'.

 

[UtahApocalypse]

Here you go Tampa Mayor is ready to call off the RNC. This was even before the most recent models showing a devastating storm coming.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said the city won't take and chances. "We're prepared to call it off. Human life and human safety absolutely trump politics. I think the RNC recognizes that, the organizers, certainly Governor Romney, recognizes that. Whatever we do will be based on getting people out of harms way. Politics will take second place," Buckhorn said.

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/ne...concern-as-gop-convention-nears#ixzz24IIIwQ2d

 

[cajuncocoa]

Here you go Tampa Mayor is ready to call off the RNC. This was even before the most recent models showing a devastating storm coming.

I can understand that. As you posted earlier, his priority is the safety of Tampa residents. Having all of those extra people in town will severely compromise those efforts.