Had a close call with a gust of wind on a site near the river last month

I was working a 150-ton mobile crane on a project in St. Louis, right by the Mississippi. A sudden gust caught the load, a big steel beam, and it started to swing pretty bad. My spotter yelled up, and I had to drop the load onto the safety cribbing we'd set up, fast. It was a real wake-up call about how quick the weather can change near water. Now I check the local wind forecast every hour, not just at shift start. Anyone else have a go-to site for super local wind conditions?

3 comments

3 Comments

patriciam2221d ago

Wait, you actually drop the load when it gets sketchy? I used to think that was overkill, like just ride it out until things settle. But honestly, after reading your story, I get it now. A swinging beam near water sounds terrifying, and if you can set it down on cribbing fast, that's way smarter than hoping the gust stops on its own. I always figured dropping the load was a last resort, but you're showing it's just good sense when weather's unpredictable. That real-time forecast tip from stone.jesse makes sense too, I never thought about watching it every hour like you do.

stone.jesse1mo ago

Checking the local forecast every hour is smart. I use the Windy app for real-time gusts at my exact site (it's free, and way better than the basic weather channel).

the_drew1mo ago

Ever try to plan your day around a forecast that's wrong by 20 degrees? I once dressed for a light breeze and got hit with what felt like a leaf blower set to "angry god." My umbrella turned inside out and flew into a tree. Now I just assume every nice day is a trap.