Live Thread - Hurricane Katrina, Part IV (Update: Now a Category 5 )

NOAA - NHC ^ | 27 August 2005 | NOAA - NHC

[NautiNurse]

Hurricane warnings and watches are posted. Hurricane Katrina continues to strengthen in the Gulf of Mexico. The forecast models continue to converge upon New Orleans. However, all interests in the northern Gulf of Mexico should follow the path of this very large and dangerous storm, and be prepared for a major hurricane landfall. There have been reports of coastal animals leaving in droves for higher ground. Meanwhile, New Orleans continues to suggest that residents evacuate.

The following links are self-updating:

Public Advisory Currently published every 3 hours 5A, 8A, 11A, 2P, etc. ET
NHC Discussion Published every six hours 6A, 11A, 6P, 11P
Three Day Forecast Track
Five Day Forecast Track
Navy Storm Track
Katrina Track Forecast Archive Nice loop of each NHC forecast track for both three and five day
Forecast Models
Alternate Hurricane Models via Skeetobite
Bouy Data Louisiana/Mississippi
Buoy Data Florida

Images:

New Orleans/Baton Rouge Experimental Radar Subject to delays and outages - and well worth the wait

Mobile Long Range Radar Loop

New Orleans/Baton Rouge Radar

Ft. Polk, LA Long Range Radar Loop

Northwest Florida Long Range Radar

Storm Floater IR Loop
Storm Floater Still & Loop Options
Color Enhanced IR Loop

Other Resources:

Hurricane Wind Risk Very informative tables showing inland wind potential by hurricane strength and forward motion
Central Florida Hurricane Center
New Orleans Web Cams Loads of web cam sites here. The sites have been very slow due to high traffic
New Orleans Music Online Couldn't resist--love that jazz
Golden Triangle Weather Page Nice Beaumont weather site with lots of tracks and graphics
Hurricane City
Crown Weather Tropical Website Offers a variety of storm info, with some nice track graphics

Live streaming:
copy/paste into player:

WWL-TV/DT New Orleans (WMP) - mms://beloint.wm.llnwd.net/beloint_wwltv
WVTM-TV/DT Birmingham (WMP) - mms://a1256.l1289835255.c12898.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/1256/12898/v0001/reflector:35255
WDSU-TV/DT New Orleans (WMP) - http://mfile.akamai.com/12912/live/reflector:38202.asx
Hurricane City (Real Player) - http://hurricanecity.com/live.ram
ABCNews Now (Real Player) - http://reallive.stream.aol.com/ramgen/redundant/abc/now_hi.rm

Hurricane Katrina Live Thread, Part III
Katrina Live Thread, Part II
Hurricane Katrina Live Thread, Part I
Tropical Storm 12

Category	Wind Speed	Barometric Pressure	Storm Surge	Damage Potential
Tropical Depression	< 39 mph < 34 kts			Minimal
Tropical Storm	39 - 73 mph 34 - 63 kts			Minimal
Hurricane 1 (Weak)	74 - 95 mph 64 - 82 kts	28.94" or more 980.02 mb or more	4.0' - 5.0' 1.2 m - 1.5 m	Minimal damage to vegetation
Hurricane 2 (Moderate)	96 - 110 mph 83 - 95 kts	28.50" - 28.93" 965.12 mb - 979.68 mb	6.0' - 8.0' 1.8 m - 2.4 m	Moderate damage to houses
Hurricane 3 (Strong)	111 - 130 mph 96 - 112 kts	27.91" - 28.49" 945.14 mb - 964.78 mb	9.0' - 12.0' 2.7 m - 3.7 m	Extensive damage to small buildings
Hurricane 4 (Very strong)	131 - 155 mph 113 - 135 kts	27.17" - 27.90" 920.08 mb - 944.80 mb	13.0' - 18.0' 3.9 m - 5.5 m	Extreme structural damage
Hurricane 5 (Devastating)	Greater than 155 mph Greater than 135 kts	Less than 27.17" Less than 920.08 mb	Greater than 18.0' Greater than 5.5m	Catastrophic building failures possible

[nwctwx]

"you mean RIC? "

Yes, I should go to bed. ;-)

[Termite_Commander]

This is turning into a complete nightmare.

[oceanview]

has FEMA mobilized yet?

[simon says what]

I was getting radar link envy.

[JUMPIN JEHOSPOHAT]

Oookaa. Thank you for this reply.

[AntiGuv]

That still makes no sense. A Cat 5 would have a higher surge and the rainfall doesn't really depend on the strength.

[Pyro7480]

It reminds me of the story of Noah and the flood.

[nwctwx]

"It's possible there has never been a storm as threatening in modern U.S. history in terms of its potential toll on life, property and the environment. Max Mayfield, Director of the National Hurricane Center, called Katrina "scary" and considers this the nightmare situation forecasters have feared for decades. He advised the mayor to issue the first mandatory evacuation in the history of New Orleans."

More: http://www.capitalweather.com/

[dc-zoo]

Now that's funny. We needed some levity. Thanks friend.

[PA Engineer]

Almost biblical. :-(

[Jedidah]

"Here's the thing about the bonehead media. They know we're probably about to experience something bigger than 9/11 and they don't care until it happens. Instead of warning people in SE LA with blanket coverage, they're saying: "Wake us up when the thousands of dead bodies are ready for the camera."


I don't want to argue, but I really don't think you're being fair.

I've been watching this storm since it developed east of Florida. I've seen lots of coverage on the networks, the cable channels, and the internet. All have been full of Katrina coverage today. One particularly compelling piece was on CNN tonight, with the head of some N.O. disaster office pleading for evacuation and, his voice shaking, telling people that this looked like the most dire scenario for the city.

Maybe other people have been watching other things -- there's always plenty of stuff seeking our attention -- but I can guarantee you that the word on Katrina has been widely disseminated since before she was even named. The storm didn't do a long developing path through the Carribean, so perhaps its rapid development caught some by surprise -- but not this farm girl, who always watches the weather forecast.

[rwfromkansas]

good question.....I heard so, but I am not sure...I don't trust that info. In any event, Bush has declared a disaster already and even issued a statement through the press secretary urging people to evac.

[Gabz]

Even a relatively minor storm will flood much of Dorchester County (Maryland).

........and most of the rest of the Eastern Shore down to the bridge tunnel and up to Elkton.

That gorgeous new resort in Cambridge "might" survive.

Intrestingly enough, I live on one of the major west to east hurricane/flood evac routes, but am not in an evac zone. I'm in a strange pocket of Accomac County that's not in a flood plain. something comes up the coast or the Chesapeake, I can picture a dozen or so RVs parked around my house coming from Chincoteague and Saxis Island.

[MEG33]

May those in harms way be safe..This one did slip by my radar and I am so sorry for all those who will be affected..

[thecabal]

Thanks for the insight Ian. When you speak about WX, I listen. :)

And here I thought I was just getting paranoid about how bad this is...

[Heatseeker]

Yup. Let's hope we don't have to worry about it just yet - you've got further to drive to evacuate than I do. ;)

[blondee123]

You're right, I just checked out the webcam, they are not taking this seriously at all! Geez!

[Gabz]

This hurricane wasn't/isn't being hyped, thus according to the laws of modern media it will become an actual story, which is not good news.

Sadly that is SOOOOOOOO true.

[HoHoeHeaux]

Yes those guys are going nuts over there, and linking back to FR!

I am going to New Orleans Sept. 14, my first time since I was too little to remember. I am so scared for the people there, not to mention all of the history. It would be devastating for all of us if this thing pans out. Praying real hard for a miracle here but my heart is real heavy right now.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Reminds me of Fatima.