On the front lines, Jim Cantore says Irma may be ‘the big one’
Weather Channel hurricane hunter Jim Cantore will be front row center when Hurricane Irma lashes the Sunshine State with powerful winds and driving rain and, despite orders to evacuate, the meteorologist and weather chaser says he’s ready to provide live reports from the middle of the monster storm. Cantore was traveling to Naples, Fla., yesterday when he told the Herald’s Joe Dwinell that he’s doing the same thing he does during nor’easters — facing storms where they land.
This is one of the top hurricanes, no doubt. It has weakened as it passes over Cuba, but could gain strength again before it hits the Keys. This will be the worst blow to the Keys since the 1950s, or worse . ... There could be a 12-foot storm surge that will completely overwash everything. It’s packing Category 4 winds and heavy rain. I told the crew to be prepared to lose the roof over the hotel . ... This is potentially the big one. A little jog left or right will mean all the difference in the world. But, it will go where it wants to go.”
With gale-force winds already whipping around him, Cantore had to put down the phone to do a live report, where he warned Georgia residents that they’ll be in the superstorm’s crosshairs once Irma blows through the Sunshine State.
I can see whitecaps as far as the eye can see. Irma has shifted and I’m not taking my eyes off this thing. These things have a mind of their own. The wind potential and wind fields carry wind we haven’t seen in ages . ... It may hit with 115 mph to 125 mph winds, but that’s still powerful and it may pick up energy over the Gulf and come in a Category 4 range of 130 mph to 150 mph . ... I can’t imagine the dollar value of this. It has the potential to cause a massive amount of damage . ... The European model has been the best and north Georgia could see winds of 70, 80 or 90 mph after Irma leaves Florida. It will tug and pull trees if it ramps up. It’s game on!