SV Windrifter42

Well here's for making boating plans. We got around Cape Hattaras (via the ICW) three days ahead of schedule and happily motored out of Norfolk Virginia to go over (yes that's cars beneath the boat) the Chesapeake Tunnel Bridge. Voila, mother nature had other plans. Sure the sky was getting a bit dark, but there was only a small chance of thunderstorms for the evening. Suddenly, the severe storm alarm on our VHF radio went off (a very nice feature) and on came the robot voice of the National Weather Service telling us that a large, severe thunderstorm was headed our way with potential winds to 60 kts and golf size hail - and potential tornados for those on land. Definitely time to turn on the radar. On radar, we could see the storm but it looked like we could just alter our path a bit and it would pass us or just give us a quick graze - this has worked out fine on more than a few occassions since leaving St. Martin.

Didn't quite work out that way. Within half an hour, the storm was all around us for six miles and no where to go. We tried to heave to and let it pass - nope. Then we tried to outrun it but just couldn't get to far with the irritated/pissed-offed seas (John's words). So we just had to let it pass over us. We experienced at least 40 mph winds (another boat reported 50+), but it was the lightning that made things interesting. Yes, I did put the computer and one of the hand held VHF radios in the microwave (see Faraday Box) for protection. After several hours, we got the message that someone just didn't want us to leave today. We are now comfortable tied to the Hampton Town Docks, but it is still raining and the lightning continues. Well, we will try again tomorrow - well once we know what TS (Little) Debby is doing.