Hurricane Rita Live Thread

NHC - NOAA ^ | 20 September 2005 | NHC - NOAA

[NautiNurse]

Hurricane Rita is in the Florida Straits, impacting the Florida Keys and South Florida Peninsula. Hurricane watches and warnings are in effect for numerous portions of South Florida. Check local weather statements for updates.

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

Rita Forecast Track Archive
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
Extra Large Miami Radar Broadband only
Extra Large Key West Radar Broadband 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)

WTVJ-TV/DT Miami (NBC6)
WFOR-TV/DT Miami (CBS 4)
WSVN-TV/DT Miami (Fox)

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

Previous Threads:
Tropical Storm Rita
Tropical Depression 18

[Oystir]

If you think this will land within 75 miles of you get out and get out early (last summer I ran from Francis at 2 am and had no road traffic - my mandatory evac was for 11 am.) If you think it will hit S. of you go W. or N. preferably N. If you think it will hit N. of you go W. or S. Sometimes you don't have to go that far but not true this time because of all the evacuees in the area.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Bells are good!

[CedarDave]

Man, it sounds as if the decision is being made for you.

If you come up to Lubbock, I'm come over from the oil patch and us West Texas Freepers can get together for an off-location Hurricane party.

But, seriously, whatever you do stay safe.

[LuLuLuLu]

We're a good piece away from all of you in harms way -- SW Ohio -- but offer a place to anyone who needs to leave. FRmail me and I'll send directions and a phone number.

[Howlin]

Will all your Texans put your locations in your TAGLINES????

It'll help us compile a list so we can look for you later!

[shield]

I think it's called Barker, TX

[mhking]

I've got a stream link for KHOU-TV/DT Houston: mms://beloint.wm.llnwd.net/beloint_khou

They aren't running non-stop at this point, but I wouldn't be surprised if they go wall-to-wall tomorrow night or Thursday.

[dandelion]

I'm checking in now - I may be directly affected by this storm inland, and I know for a fact that these live threads are the BEST place for information!

In fact, my husband requested that I am using these threads to make risk assessments for businesses in the hurricane's path - and he uses the information to report to his clients...

Thank you, thank you NautiNurse!!

P.S. Hubby has been in New Orleans for the last week, doing armed security and disaster recovery for his clients down there. We're praying we won't have to do the same for his clients in Houston...

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

but you need to put a thick blanket on them to keep from freezing to death

you must have used them camping in the winter. We had a scout campout in January. I learned a good trick--NEWSPAPER insulates very well!!

[realpatriot]

I would much rather regret leaving than regret NOT leaving.

[Jrabbit]

The wind would also be my worry. Showing it on Fox right now....ugly looking heifer. Should have named her Hilary!

[Xenalyte]

Especially the big bronze one I was wearing as a hat. It was quite fetching.

[Xenalyte]

Ma'am, yes sir! Checking in!

[lsucat]

I'm not sure where Sealy, TX is, but I will tell you that my grandma lived in Diamondhead, MS. When she bought her house, she told us that it was the highest elevation on gulf coast. She was 14 feet above sea level. She lived north of I-10. She got 8 feet of water in her house from Katrina. Water was pushed up through the bay, rivers, inlets and the bayou flooded her house. If you live close to water, I would leave.

[CindyDawg]

be sure and add www.freerepublic at the bottom:')

[numberonepal]

Oh lord......that's quite an eye already, isn't it?

And the size of the storm is so much larger as well. The coastlines in those two pictures match dang near perfectly. This is gonna be real bad.

[BlueAngel]

Are you staying put? We are, went out last night to Target and stocked up. My Mom lives one mile from me so I have to get her house ready too.

[sinkspur]

I'll match your offer.

IF MONEY IS KEEPING YOU FROM LEAVING, EMAIL ME AND I WILL TRANSFER MONEY TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.

If you are in Galveston or anywhere nearby on the coast, get out now.

As an aside, if folks are heading to Dallas or Fort Worth, let us know where you're going to be. Maybe we can have a hurricane party!!!

[SaveTheChief]

Gotcha

[MEG33]

I am near you..What are your thoughts on leaving?