ANYONE that wants to chase a hurricane/typhoon/cyclone should watch this. This is as real as it gets! Thankfully Jim made it through Super Typhoon Haiyan okay, but he is still trying to get out of Tacloban City, Philippines. Conditions are beyond horrible as the death toll will be in the thousands. Very sad! On a side note, fear is a ok (your mind preparing your body), just don't let it become panic! See post below for more thoughts on that...
Jim Edds interview hours before Super Typhoon Haiyan intercept: http://stormvisuals.com/florida-weather/2013/11/7/video-storm-photographer-awaits-super-typhoon-haiyan-in-the.html
In the end, this was a horrific storm! Near the very top at peak intensity. HOWEVER, statements like "Haiyan was the most intense storm ever" = unknown and is likely overdone. Keep in mind everything was based off satellite estimates NOT actual readings. There was no recon (which stopped in the Western Pacific for the most part in 1987), there was no real observations, ONLY satellite estimates. Unfortunately, you don't hear that fact much while watching most media outlets.
The JTWC estimated the pressure at 895 mb at landfall. "IF" we assume that is correct, that still doesn't top the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, which is still king in my eyes. The 892mb was actually measured by a barometer (later verified), and not estimated by satellite. Keep in mind the pressure gradient with the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. It had a 72.8 mb gradient over 12.5 miles. Think about that for a second. That's just beyond incredible as I think even the 185 mph maximum sustained winds (HURDAT Re-analysis) is probably underdone...
*Update...
Jim Edds now safe in Cebu and took the time today to share his experience with deadly Super Typhoon Haiyan. This is a follow up video interview with Jim from the one that I shared a few days ago about 2 hours before the landfall of the typhoon in Tacloban. - See more at: http://stormvisuals.com/florida-weather/2013/11/10/video-storm-photographer-shares-experience-with-deadly-typho.html#sthash.FI6xHKf5.dpuf
