New weather station on top of Clyde B. Wells bridge?

chrisv · 04-01-2008, 06:53 PM

I wondered if anyone knows anything about what appears to be a new weather station atop the Clyde Wells bridge. It's gotta be new, right? I just noticed it tonight as I was driving home, it's on the east side. If it is, I wonder if there is a way to access the real-time data? Would be cool to know windspeed and direction, rainfall, temp.

Smiling JOe · 04-01-2008, 07:02 PM

I haven't noticed it, but I heard several months ago that it was being installed so that they didn't have to send a sheriff's deputy to the top of the bridge with his windometer to see if the wind speed was high enough to close the bridge. When the wind is whipping 40+ mph up there, you don't want to be up there for the obvious reasons.

Smiling JOe · 04-01-2008, 07:04 PM

I doubt it is available to the public, but I'd guess the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) has access to the info.

DuneLaker · 04-01-2008, 07:49 PM

In bad weather conditions, I believe, the Bay County bridges stay open longer as they have a higher wind tolerance or allowance. They are an excellent evacuation route for many on the east end of Walton County anyway. After all the major storms, it was through 20, then 79 to 98 that we were able to get back home first. Much more access to four-lane roads. Depends on where you need to go.

beachmouse · 04-02-2008, 08:48 AM

It's my understanding that it's not the bridge proper that's the problem that makes it close earlier than other bridges. It's that there are spots where the causeway is less than five feet above water level, and they don't want vehicles out there when there's concern that waves might be overwashing the causeway. (and it's why a new 331 bridge will be hugely expensive because they've got to elevate the whole road)

As for the weather info, it shouldn't be too hard or expensive for someone to port the data to a web site like wunderground.com for easy public access to it. And it would be in the spirit of sunshine laws.

ShallowsNole · 04-02-2008, 11:23 AM

You are correct that the causeway is susceptible to storm surge. Fuzz found that out after Opal.

chrisv · 04-10-2008, 10:38 PM

I spoke with Jeff McVay of the Walton EOC and he confirmed that the county MIS department (I suppose that'd be the computer folks) are working on porting the weather data to the county website. Then we'd all be able to check wind speed, direction, humidity and temps real-time atop the bridge. Cool.

Smiling JOe · 04-10-2008, 10:43 PM

Jeff McVay knows about everything that happens in Walton County. That man has some stories to tell.

wrobert · 04-10-2008, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beachmouse

It's my understanding that it's not the bridge proper that's the problem that makes it close earlier than other bridges. It's that there are spots where the causeway is less than five feet above water level, and they don't want vehicles out there when there's concern that waves might be overwashing the causeway. (and it's why a new 331 bridge will be hugely expensive because they've got to elevate the whole road)

When I worked at the EOC is was all about how strong the wind was blowing. I do not recall us ever even discussing water over the causeway when deciding rather or not to close the bridge.

Smiling JOe · 04-10-2008, 10:55 PM

I get sprayed by the Bay when driving across on windy days. I would not want to be anywhere on that causeway with 40 mph winds.

SWGB · 04-11-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuneLaker

In bad weather conditions, I believe, the Bay County bridges stay open longer as they have a higher wind tolerance or allowance. They are an excellent evacuation route for many on the east end of Walton County anyway. After all the major storms, it was through 20, then 79 to 98 that we were able to get back home first. Much more access to four-lane roads. Depends on where you need to go.

Very true. Those bridges also have higher sides on them. Thus the higher wind speeds. Prior to replacing the Hathaway bridge it was a break neck dash to cross before it closed. It had no solid barriers on the sides and I believe it closed at 45mph.