Weather Watchers Warn Of Impending Hurricane’s Effects

Two Goodman

emergency management officials are urging McDonald County neighbors to keep abreast of impending Hurricane

Irma’s direction.

Two Goodman Emergency Management officials are urging McDonald County neighbors to keep abreast of impending Hurricane Irma’s direction.

On Tuesday night, Goodman Emergency Management Director Denis Kolb and Assistant Director Keith Kohley said they are actively tracking Irma’s developing path.

Several models are predicting different paths. Although a great deal can change in coming days, the Hurricane Center is predicting that Hurricane Irma — now at a Category 5 — will hit the tip of Florida on Sunday morning at a Category 4.

Weather officials predict that Irma will take a path between there and Cuba. From there, predictions of the route vary.

Kolb and Kohley believe the hurricane, which is tracking west to northwest, could travel into the Gulf of Mexico. If so, the hurricane could re-strengthen because of the Gulf’s warm waters.

The hurricane’s direction will be impacted by movement of the current high pressure ridge, Kohley said.

The two have been tracking weather conditions for years and have tracked several hurricanes. Though McDonald County will not experience any rain from Irma, neighbors will feel the impact in their pocketbooks.

“The rain won’t hit us,” Kohley said, “but the economic impact will.”

Kolb believes gas prices will spike tremendously if Hurricane Irma hits the Gulf.

Both officials urge neighbors to keep track of the weather, and to fill up their cars before gas prices increase.