Hurricane Katrina, Live Thread, Part V

NHC - NOAA ^ | 28 August 2005 | NHC - NOAA

[NautiNurse]

Extremely dangerous Hurricane Katrina is bearing down on the North Central Gulf of Mexico. Mandatory evacuation of New Orleans is finally underway. Louisiana officials are warning of complete failure to levy systems, and pleading with people to leave low lying areas. For those who choose to stay, they are recommending picks and axes for breaking through to access their roofs during flooding.

Due to the size and intensity of this storm, all interests in the North Gulf of Mexico should be rushing hurricane preparations to completion.

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:

http://www.wjbo.com - BR radio station. Callers calling in and describing traffic etc.
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
WKRG-TV/DT Mobile (WMP) - mms://wmbcast.mgeneral.speedera.net/wmbcast.mgeneral/wmbcast_mgeneral_aug262005_1435_95518

Hurricane Katrina, Live Thread, Part IV
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

[pax_et_bonum]

Lots of people probably won't survive this storm.

Correcting myself: delete 'probably.'

[steveegg]

I'd prefer it were something a LOT more positive than Katrina that knocked her off the headlines.

[Major_Risktaker]

The roof of the Superdome might collapse. Anyone inside when that happens might be in mortal danger (flying glass and flying debris).

Yes, that would be catastrophic. The Superdome is
certified up to 200 MPH winds but wind gusts over 207 mph
are predicted so the dome may drop.

G.W. Bush saved lives by making the call today.

[Black Tooth]

They need to get Hysterical if it gets these folks out.

Why bother? The warnings have been many. You can't force ignorant, stupid people to practice safety. If that were the case, auto collisions would be reduced dramatically.

They just reported people are wandering all over Bourbon St, and the bars are packed. If they are this stupid, there is little that can be done about it. So be it.

[Altamira]

I'm speechless. How stupid can people get? Darwin award winners, all.

[Torie]

I suspect Shep insisted on going in. He knows it is a story of a lifetime, and if it is final exit time, at least he goes out with a bang.

[hole_n_one]

But the picitures of this monster are real, the barometric pressure readings are real...and anyone in the path of its 180 MPH+ winds and storm surge is going to experience deadly reality.
To discount that is plain foolishness. People need to get out of the way or seek high ground...safe, sheltered high ground.

Somebody needs to clue in Shep Smith.

[spectre]

Too late , Jeff.

It's a bend over and KYAGB situation now :(

sw

[Jeff Head]

Amen...thanks for that. What an idiot that guy was.

[tiredoflaundry]

I suspect Shep insisted on going in. He knows it is a story of a lifetime, and if it is final exit time, at least he goes out with a bang.

Which will PO Geraldo big time! ;-)

[SauronOfMordor]

I was wondering what decisions the news organizations are making about their satellite trucks. I guess the reporters can hightail it to hotels, etc to get high enough off the ground. But those trucks cost beaucoup bucks - what are they going to do about them?

In this situation, they can consider the trucks expendable. The advertising revenue from the increased viewership has already paid for a fleet of them. The reporters they can evacuate by helicopter

[Gabz]

I suspect Shep insisted on going in. He knows it is a story of a lifetime, and if it is final exit time, at least he goes out with a bang.

I suspect you have nailed it.

[Sam Cree]

IMO, being in a storm of this ferocity does qualify for remarks about a falling sky. Heebrew Hammer's remark is out of line, to tell you the truth.

[AntiGuv]

Anything within 30 miles to the east should be worse than anything to the west.

[Carolinamom]

Cindy Sheehan...the witch in the Texas ditch.

[jeffers]

Inflow on the north side is shutting down, but the southern half looks like it can feed in whatever the storm requests.

Not promising. That'll help keep the strength up after landfall.

http://www.ssec.wisc.edu/data/east/latest_eastwv.jpg

[LdSentinal]

I think Shep is upset that Bill Hemmer has joined FNC and is taking solace at the French Quarter.

[Bogey78O]

In north covington now. Have 3 power back up packs, 2 comps (which will be shut down if power is lost) and a notebook.

Should be okay for a couple of hours if power goes out. Luckily it looks like it'll hit eastern St. Tammany and not go right over me.

[hole_n_one]

What I want to know is who made the decision that Fox send Shep into NL - I think it was totally irresponsible of Fox to do so - If things go bad there Fox is going to be in legal trouble.

That decision is 100% Smith's.

[BlessedBeGod]

I suspect Shep insisted on going in.

Roger Ailes should have forbidden him to do it. He's the one ultimately responsible for FOX News employees and the one who'll be blamed if anything happens to Shep.