The difference here is the thermal potential was/is low because the warm water layer is shallow.. maybe not enough to bring it to a cat 3 before the cold upwelling stole the energy, even if it stopped. There was a very quick drop in pressure, but it was making landfall before the windfield caught up with the lower pressure. Andrew, Ivan, Wilma, and Katrina all spun up just before landfall, or right after in Katrina's case. They were tapping into a warm water area just off Naples. I was VERY worried about Francis and Jeanne, as I was dead center both storms, and I knew IF they spun up, it would be to late for me to evacuate, so I left no chance.
Here is Dolly's landfall, just north of Brownsville Texas, as a Cat 2, winds of nearly 100. It is already begining to weaken. This is a one hour rain rate of Dolly making landfall. There are rain rates of 6.5 inches per hour going on. Here is a storm total, notice the area in light blue, there is nearly two feet of rain in just 7 hours or so. The flash flood threat must be great.
man 2 feet so far..they needed some moisture but when it rains it pours. we have been getting some rain from it here(nothing heavy) but that is crazy.
