Showing posts with label gulf coast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gulf coast. Show all posts

OUTLOOK: 2013 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON

NOAA Predicts Active Hurricane Season

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an "Active to Extremely Active" Hurricane Season for 2013.

As a surfer on the Texas Coast, hurricane season is a chance for world class waves. As an Emergency Manager (my day job), hurricane season is a nightmare. So I'm torn between two worlds here. Nonetheless, with warm water temps, no El Nino, and the African monsoon, it could get interesting one way or the other.

NOAA is giving a wide prediction of 13 to 20 named storms, 7 to 11 of which could become hurricanes, with 3 to 6 becoming major storms rated Category 3 or bigger.


Who knows what will happen... but one thing is sure, we will put a "Hurricane Tracker" on the blog when the season starts so you can keep up to date and stay prepared... for either surf or evacuation.

Peace Out!



Adventure Week - Day 2... VAS

Courtesy - PeriscopeFilm.com
So I awoke on Sunday morning in hopes of good surf, but I knew the moment I stepped outside that there would be too much onshore winds for anything good. But alas, Texan surfers have a saying... "You won't know if you don't go", so I went.
I loaded up the jeep with my surf gear, called up a buddy, and tried to hit up a dawn patrol. My friend who arrived before me called as I was nearing the beach saying it was total choof, but a few guys were giving it a go.

Being like I thought, I decided I was in no hurry and stopped for a cup of coffee, then pulled onto the beach. I took a stroll down the jetty to find my friend looking sad. The surf was big, choppy, and wind-blown... and the cold front hadn't even arrived yet. Most of the better shortboarders were getting a drop and maybe a turn before the wave totally closed out.

Since my friend hadn't paddled out in a while, we thought we'd give it a go anyway. It was for naught. Being a longboarder makes for real difficulty in that kind of wind. Not to mention the steepness of the waves. I pearled the first two tries, stood up finally on the third wave which closed out as I hit the bottom. This went on for an hour or so before I said "Screw it" and went on in. It was a good thing too because not fifteen minutes later the from hit, kicking winds up to about 45mph.

I spent the rest of the day hiking a bandit biking trail, searching for good camera placement spots for the documentary.

Such is life as a Texan surfer...

Burn-off Planned for Mustang Island...

A pre-planned burn is coming soon for Mustang Island State Park in Texas says the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept.

Pre-planned burns are sometimes necessary to help restore growth and prevent wildfires.

Here is the press release from the TPWD...

"Feb. 15, 2013
Prescribed burn planned for Mustang Island State Park
CORPUS CHRISTI - Park Superintendent Damon Reeves announced today that Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff plans to conduct a prescribed burn at Mustang Island State Park during February or March. The burn is expected to be conducted and completed in two to three days.
Prescribed burns are used as a management tool in state parks to improve habitat for wildlife by restoring forest and prairie habitats that were historically maintained by natural fires. They also are conducted to reduce the amount of available fuels, such as leaf litter, fallen branches, understory growth and dead trees that accumulate naturally and from storms. By reducing the amount of available fuels, prescribed burns lower the likelihood of a potentially destructive wildfire.
Park staff already has begun preparing for the upcoming burn by clearing vegetation and other fuels from the fire breaks established around the perimeter of each area (burn unit) that will be burned this year. Fuels and vegetation also are cleared away from utility poles, structures, signs and sensitive resources to protect them during the prescribed burns.
Prescribed burns on state parks are conducted by TPWD personnel who have undergone training and met national wildland firefighting certification standards. The park's prescribed fire plan defines the conditions under which a prescribed burn may be conducted, taking into account wind speeds and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, and fuel moisture levels. The plan also guides the fire crew members in managing burns to prevent them from escaping into adjacent properties and to minimize the effect of smoke in nearby residential areas.
Because specific weather conditions are required to conduct an effective and safe prescribed burn, TPWD staff cannot provide a specific date for the burn at this time. However, local emergency management officials will be notified before the prescribed fire is implemented. Reeves noted that during the burn, some areas of the park would be closed to the public. During the burn there may be smoke that reduces visibility on neighboring roads and the superintendent cautions travelers to reduce their speed and use their headlights when smoke is present.
For more information regarding the planned burn or to request notification on the days when fires are ignited, please contact the park at (361) 749-5246 or by e-mail damon.reeves@tpwd.state.tx.us"



Morning Coffee...

Photo - Joe Vulgamore
Yesterday morning, I awoke with my usual urge to head to the beach. Stopped off for a cup of coffee and then proceeded to check the usual surf spots.
Unfortunately, the waves had different plans and decided not to show up for our predetermined rendezvous. In light of this I decided to cruise around and see a little of North Padre's scenery.

I snapped off the above photo near the Yacht Club.

I just love how the houses along the canals lead right down to the boat docks in the photo below... I want to do a photo-essay on these canals. They are really beautiful at night when all the homes and docks are lit up. Can't wait to snap a few of those!

Photo - Joe Vulgamore

Skiing... Gulf Style

Copyright 2010 - Photo - Joe Vulgamore

Skis can be fun in slop.

This guy was having a blast at North Packery. Can't believe he's not wearing a wetsuit... that water is like 62 degrees.
Of course, I'm a wimp in the cold water...


Fun Stuff!
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