Samuel Hurd

Meteorologist
Tropical Met Researcher
Mississippi State University Meteorology Grad Student
tOSU Atmospheric Science Alum ‘26
GCHS ‘23 Alum

[CJ Morgan - Florida Man Wx ☈ @floridamanwx]

Something to note with #Isaias - The Majority of Homes in the Panhandle built post-Andrew (the new FBC) were supposed to be built to withstand 130mph winds (Right Image). This does nothing for the (Older) housing stock that already exists up there. Good news is, the 2026 FBC implements new Wind Borne Debris regions (Left Image), mandating 140-150mph wind resistance in the Pensacola Area.

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@TheNaderMike @willbrattonwx @floridamanwx Truly a force to be reckoned with

[NaderMike @TheNaderMike]

My happy place... winds gusting to near 110mph

Inner eyewall of Hurricane Isaias near Fort Walton, FL
@willbrattonwx @floridamanwx

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@TheNaderMike Ya I 1000% agree with this sentiment. TC’s just really show you the absolute most power Mother Nature can produce in my opinion and it’s a very powerful sight to see.

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@PeanutWX @MatthewCappucci They probably are to some degree but they’re more of a process of the dynamics of the TC vortex itself not a mesocyclone. So while they’re similar the mesoscale dynamics are not. I know there’s a group in Huntsville, AL studying these mesovorticies, always love seeing that work.

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@WOFginger I agree! Look at the incidents that have been documented here even just by one person, Taylor with CS. To me it’s clear this park in particular has an ongoing issue of staff management but the company as a whole as well. Not saying staff to blame today but the history isn’t good.

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

Praying this is not true but it appears that someone did indeed fall out of the train on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia after their restraint possibly became unlocked.

[Taylor Bybee @coasterstudios]

A scary situation at Six Flags Over Georgia; reports are flooding in of a rider passing away after falling from Goliath. The train supposedly came back with the restraint open. Goliath is currently closed, along with other B&M hypers in the chain
https://t.co/seWRpASbEo

[Taylor Bybee @coasterstudios]

A scary situation at Six Flags Over Georgia; reports are flooding in of a rider passing away after falling from Goliath. The train supposedly came back with the restraint open. Goliath is currently closed, along with other B&M hypers in the chain
https://t.co/seWRpASbEo

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@hurricanetrack It looks to me (without any radar data) that it could be a switch from FFD to RFD with how it changes direction but it wasn’t quite under a mesocyclone. However still looks like something tried to spin up like a gustnado at that apex of the switch just didn’t have meso support.

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@baskinROBBBINS 100% agree with this. If you truly know what you’re doing then potential outcomes of all your actions chasing shouldn’t leave you traumatized because to a degree you have a choice. You can be humbled by the aftermath but good chasers know the potential outcomes of their actions.

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@BevinsWx @PezexWx But again really well written here! I really like this perspective and is something I think should be looked more into as a research question/case study!

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@BevinsWx @PezexWx …to me that sporadic nature certainly supports this idea but I also believe a sting jet could have also been ongoing as well and the mix of both of these processes have lead to the irregular damage we’re seeing locally in the area, not just relative to a “normal TC”

[DeAndre Bevins @BevinsWx]

THEORY THREAD | What happened in Pensacola, Florida during Hurricane #Isaias.

The strongest winds in a tropical cyclone is typically seen in the NE Quadrant of the cyclone. However, Isaias strongest winds near landfall occurred in the NW & SW quadrants. So what happened?

[Timothy kern @KernDog04]

What an absolutly insane first hurricane chase I got to experience this weekend. Isaias did not disappoint, coming onto shore as a high end Category 2 Hurricane. My mind kept getting blown by this storm. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced up to that point!

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@Cyclone_Fogarty It was very interesting to see the damage this morning between Destin and Pensacola. The damage was the worst between Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, and Oriole Beach. We were pretty sure a sting jet was probable last night, but once service went out couldn’t confirm until now.

[Chris Fogarty, PhD @Cyclone_Fogarty]

The sting jet from Hurricane Isaias showed up in striking detail as seen by Sentinel SAR instruments: #Isaias

[Mark Sudduth @hurricanetrack]

Surge coming in at Santa Rosa Island as seen by our remote cam. We also have a surge sensor there to capture how high the water is.

@foxweather

[Samuel Hurd @Sam_Hurd_WX]

@PettusWX Driving through this area certainly suggests this. The worst damage @willbrattonwx, @TheNaderMike and I could find was between Oriole Beach and Gulf Breeze Florida with several roofs heavily damaged, gas station awnings collapsed and several billboard polls snapped at the base.