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Locked on 09/22/2005 3:40:46 AM PDT by Jim Robinson, reason:
New thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1489163/posts |
Posted on 09/21/2005 4:19:11 PM PDT by NautiNurse
Extremely dangerous and large Category Five Hurricane Rita is churning westward across the Gulf of Mexico toward Texas. Air Force Reconnaissance indicated the central pressure has dropped to 904mb, making Rita the fifth most intense hurricane ever in the Atlantic Basin.
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches have been issued from Northern Mexico through the South Louisiana coastline. Galveston TX used school buses to evacuate residents. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations are in effect along the Texas coastline.
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 Western Gulf of Mexico
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Texas
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Louisiana
Images:
Storm Floater IR Loop
GOM WV Loop
GOM IR Still Image
Visible Storm Floater Still (only visible during daylight hours)
Color Enhanced Atlantic Loop
Streaming Video: (coverage may be intermittent)
KHOU-TV/DT Houston: mms://beloint.wm.llnwd.net/beloint_khou
WWLTV NOLA
Additional Resources:
FReeper Sign In Thread Check in to let us know whether you are staying, going, and when you get there
FReepers Offering Lodging To Rita Evacuees People and/or Pet Friendly FReepers Offering Shelter
Coastal TX Evacuation Maps
KHOU Houston
KTRK ABC News Houston
Hurricane City
Wxnation Houston
Galveston Webcams
Golden Triangle Weather Page Provides Galveston Weather, Warnings, Radar, etc.
| 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:
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part II
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part I
Tropical Storm Rita
Tropical Depression 18
When do they start the contraflow? It seems like that would speed things up to counter the gridlock. I'm definitely praying for all of you guys in Houston and all others in the storm's path.
Just saw your post to me....I have been watching the Jet Blue plane landing...
In case no one else answered your question...
I have heard that there is a possibility, if this storm comes up I-45, that we could get 70 MPH winds and may get "stuck" in north Texas, dumping like 10" of rain...
NOT, as bad as a hurricane, but still more than Troy Dungan was predicting last night...
how ' bout you take that spew to another thread?
Cat 5.
Are you leaving or staying? You're a bit south of me--I'm out by Spring Cypress and 290.
The map is about flooding only. Please protect your windows against wind!!!
ROFLMAO---
Just saw your post...the best laugh I have had in awhile..
dark humor to some...but I love that kind of humor...
Thanks!
Well, at work everyone has been saying that Texas is overdue for a big one. The bad thing here is the amount of power outages that are likely and temps have been in the 100's this week. Not many Atlantic Coast threats -which is good for you... about time, I would say. Was in Waves, NC for Alex last year so I have some idea on what these things can do. Best we can hope for is something to weaken it, but it doesn't look good right now.
Thank you!
Just talked to my niece in Tomball, north of Houston, they're staying put. I quizzed her on her preparations...sounds like she's got everything under control. She was here in Mobile when Katrina hit so, she has some experience. She said that Tomball was 90 miles inland, I don't think it's that far inland. Anyone else have an opinion?
Famous last words. This aint your daddy's or even grandaddy's hurricane.
Nasty muggy here. Was just outside.
Heard Corpus Christi is under mandatory evac. Can anyone confirm?
I was thinking the same thing. Being ignorant, I've been wondering what would happen if it went back to NOLA. Everything there is already wiped out and has to be rebuilt anyway. The vast majority of the houses are going to have to be dozed. Wouldn't it decrease the total damage?
Latest from Jeff Masters. Disturbing. http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/show.html
I got the map at http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/trop-atl.html.
"not because I fear our house blowing down, but I refuse to be without electricity for days"
You are a smart lady. Evacuating is not only about being further inland to be safe, but about keeping the creature comforts as well. Stay safe and try to make the most of your stay elsewhere.
Unbelievable. Very crude comment regarding NOLA. Additionally, by your plan, the Mississippi coast would be struck again also. Yeah, good plan.
You are a jerk!
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