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

[kAcknor]

Commercial airlines cancelled flights even scheduled for yesterday, stranding passengers.

In my opinion the commercial airline companies should be investigated and spotlighted in BRIGHT light on these cancellations. It's 2:09 pm Sunday as I writ this and the weather in N.O. is still nowhere near minimal for flights. I understand Greyhound did the same thing.

If there are deaths in those areas deemed "last resorts" of the people who could have otherwise left but for this lack of service they should be placed squarely on the heads of these companies.

[oceanview]

he just predicted it would come in to the east of NO, that doesn't mean it will "miss" NO, the thing is huge. but getting flooded from the lake, is a hell of alot better then getting the full hit from the sea with those winds.

of course, this may not be right. people still need to evacuate. it could still shift more to the west.

[Ellesu]

OMG! They just announced that at 4pm they will end contraflow. They may extend it if cars are still on the road. Contraflow on I12, I10 and I55 to end at 4pm today. Why?

[Palladin]

I guess they don't want cars to get stranded on the causeway. That would be horrible.

[NautiNurse]

please let us know as soon as confirmed--thanks.

[Dog Gone]

On its current track it looks like Katrina will avoid most of the oil rigs offshore.

Well, yes, it will certainly miss all those offshore Texas, but it's taking straight aim on the newer and more valuable deepwater structures and facilities.

In fact, I'd argue that it's hitting the offshore oil and gas industry in the worst possible spot.

[Fudd Fan]

My son likes to wait until he's below E.

LOL! I've been there and done that! But I can count on one hand the number of times.

[Tuxedo]

902MB? Stronger than Camille now and twice as big. Glad I live in San Antonio. The ridge that is passing through here is the main steering current.

[fishntex]

We can only pray that the superdome holds up. It cannot possibly be engineered for 160 kt winds. At least it is on a little higher ground from what I just heard on Fox.

[topher]

They ran out of time to secure the rigs. Things happened too fast. People had to get out.

Securing is one thing. They can remotely shutin most wells, as I recall.

Of course reporting from two weather buoys on two Shell Oil Platforms has ceased.

This storm is already causing 20 foot waves East of the mouth of the Mississippi and 13 foot waves West of the mouth of the Mississippi.

Time for prayers, not much else.

[Tarpon]

I question this, there is no reason. I-10 is bumper to bumper -- maybe just noise. There are other routes in if you really must.

The challenge is to get people out so they don't drown.

[spycatcher]

Again, it's a measureable proven fact that hurricanes cause the earth to shake. And your comparison to the energy of a sonic boom is laughable.

[GOPyouth]

Page Hopkins was interviewing Congressman Jindal while showing footage of idiots standing next to the sea-wall. He was talking, then she started laughing. He quickly told her this was no laughing matter. I'm sure she felt like an ass after that.

[tomkat]

... with a packet of ACME Instant Hurricane seeds in his pocket

FOFL !

thanks,

[kitkat]

***"Why doesn't a category 6 exist?" ***

>>>Because there'd be no one alive to report on it? Just a guess, mind you.>>>

LOL! I needed your attitude right about now.

[Fudd Fan]

They ran out of time to secure the rigs. Things happened too fast. People had to get out.

Oh my. Prayers for everyone down there.

[Milwaukee_Guy]

"When will they close the causeway? That will be a 24 mile? graveyard if it is left open too late."

Good point. There comes a time in a hurricane evacuation where you need to get people to shelter and off the roads. That is why an early and orderly evacuation plan is essential.

[oceanview]

good point.

but the people evacuating now, should be going west, not east into MS.

[The Westerner]

That is good news, indeed. One story we will know that had a happy ending. Does your daughter live in NO? Or just vacationing?

[snowsislander]