Tropical Storm Rita Live Thread

NHC - NOAA ^ | 18 September 2005 | NHC - NOAA

[NautiNurse]

Tropical Storm Rita has developed from TD 18 in the Atlantic Ocean. TS Rita is currently located north of Hispaniola, the eastern tip of Cuba, and ESE of Nassau, Bahamas. Hurricane watches and warnings are in effect for portions of Florida. Check for local weather statements.

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
Forecast Models
Buoy Data SE Florida
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Florida

Images:

Storm Floater IR Loop
Visible Storm Floater Still (only visible during daylight hours)
Color Enhanced Atlantic Loop
Florida Radar/Sat Loop Caution: Broadband users only!
Miami Long Range Radar Loop
Key West Long Range Radar Loop
Miami Experimental Radar Still Image
Key West Experimental Radar Still Image

Streaming Video: (coverage may be intermittent)
WFOR-TV/DT Miami (WMP) - http://dayport.wm.llnwd.net/dayport_0025_live"
WSVN-TV/DT Miami (WMP) - mms://216.242.118.141/broadband

Other Resources:

Florida East Coast Surf Reports Lots of great info here, including surf cams
Central Florida Hurricane Center
Hurricane City

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

[NautiNurse]

She had, indeed, grown in the past several hours.

Key West Emergency Management Ops just concluded a strategy meeting. They expect Key West to take the brunt of the storm tomorrow afternoon. Boca Chica Air Base is prepared to serve as the staging area for supplies, and the Coast Guard is prepared to provide rescue as necessary.

[Txsleuth]

Shoot---by Thursday..there might not be a room to rent north of Hunstville....or south of the Oklahoma border!!!

[NautiNurse]

Estimated 20,000 Key West residents did not evacuate.

[jpsb]

Yes very impressive, Katrina 2? Hope there is enough money left in DC to rebuild after Rita.

[yield 2 the right]

Estimated 20,000 Key West residents did not evacuate.

Prayer time, my fellow Freepers.

[Txsleuth]

And one of those 20,000 is very near, and dear to our hearts...rodguy!!!

[floriduh voter]

I hope this weather trend phases out in a couple of years.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Flyer,

Don't worry about the jeep, I just decided this one will be a miss.

[MobileLiam]

I guess they are trying to show stupidity is not limited to NOLA.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Where do you think it will head?

[lexington minuteman 1775]

I guess even a Katrina cannot keep some folks from staying Stuck on Stupid!

[fjsva]

Should I use the upstairs toilet to have gravity on my side? My tip: Pee outside and save water.

Nothing like a Bumper Dumper for desperate times....

.

[Gabz]

I guess the only thing we can do is pray for them.

As much as I would like to remain here all night - I have an early meeting with my personal torturer...oops physical therapist....and need tobe reasonably functioning....I'll be back around 10am.

Mucho thanks for keeping these threads going.

[NautiNurse]

RodGuy doesn't live in Key West.

[jpsb]

"Estimated 20,000 Key West residents did not evacuate."

Corect me if I an wrong, but does the Keys get big storm surges? I know labor day huricane was horrible in the keys, but I was under the impression that 6/8 surge was the worst the Key could get. Something about no place for water to pile up like it can along a long coast line. Wind on the other hand could get very bad with nothing to dampen it. Ergo wind is what key west need to fear not surge.

[MobileLiam]

Good night

[MobileLiam]

Good night

[jpsb]

good night ..... good night.

[samantha]

That is right he'll be having a guest from Key West, but he lives a ways north of KW.

[NautiNurse]

Calling for Key West storm surge 6-9 feet, with high tide at Key West Harbor at 1430 on Tuesday, and 0008 early Wednesday.

They are in for a rough day tomorrow.