Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part IV

NHC - NOAA ^ | 22 September 2005 | NHC - NOAA

[NautiNurse]

Extremely dangerous Category 5 Hurricane Rita continues to threaten the Greater Houston Metropolitan area. The forecast track has shifted slightly to the northeast, increasing the risk to Southwest Louisiana, and a significant portion of the oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Texas Governor Perry is urging all coastal residents between Beaumont and Corpus Christi to evacuate as soon as possible.

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
Houston/Galveston/Beaumont/Lake Charles Wx Watches/Warnings
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Texas
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Louisiana
Hi Res Houston Flood Zone Map Slow load, great detail

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)

KPRC-TV/DT Houston - KPRC-TV/DT Houston - http://mfile.akamai.com/12944/live/reflector:38616.asx
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
Beaumont TX evac Routes
Lake Charles/Southwest LA Evacuation Map
KHOU Houston
KTRK ABC News Houston
KPLC Lake Charles Evac Routes, news
KFDM Beaumont/Port Arthur News, evac info
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 III
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part II
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part I
Tropical Storm Rita
Tropical Depression 18

[Wneighbor]

so much for safe sex on the beach...

~giggle~

Good one. LOL

[BurbankKarl]

They were leaving Houston to state in Austin.

[BurbankKarl]

They were leaving Houston to stage in Austin.

[Spktyr]

I'm fine. I've got plenty of water, an "assault shotgun", some other toys, and the requisite other supplies. If things get bad in Dallas, I've got a full tank of gas and my Jeep to get out. :)

I'll be OK.

[tcrlaf]

Just got it back up.....

Sounds like they are having fits evaccing infirms...

[abb]

What's the latest on Houston area gridlock? Any improvement?

[kassie]

#1245...I can't answer your question, but after reading all the food you're cooking - man am I hungry!

[AliVeritas]

Now that just doesn't make sense, shocked they're showing it.

[Lemondropkid31]

Does anyone know how long this contra flow on 45 will last? Will it end by tomorrow afternoon when I need to head south for work?

[Eaker]

Ping for more.

[Hilltop]

LOl, your post is just one reason I love FR. You're tar and feather a yankee outside is priceless.

Of course, we love "yankees" on FR.

Oh, in addition to tar and feathering yankees outside, we also drink beer, forget that we've got a turkey in super heated oil, and think that we can high dive int a kiddie pool. (After copious amounts of brew)

Ya'll be safe, ya here?

[BurbankKarl]

Reporter Amy Davis has the scoop....

It was a 100 vehicle convoy of the Texas National Guard going from N.O. to Austin to stage at Camp Swift.

[Veto!]

So where will Rita come ashore?

[PAR35]

OUCH! I come up with $10.66 USD/gallon or $12.74 CDN/gallon.

At those prices you could make money buying it at retail in Texas and running it across the border.

[CedarDave]

Presser...

Will get the roads cleared and go out as far as we can to rescue motorists before the storm hits; that is their commitment. Reporter asks question if motorists should turn around. Mayor says use common sense. If have 1/8 tank of gas, you aren't going to get far. What we have is evacuation from areas of the city that are not flood prone areas. That is the reason for the traffic backups.

(KPRC announcers in studio chuckling that mayor is being stern with idiot reporters asking questions. Says reporters are wasting the mayors time.)

[mware]

HURRICANE PRAYER©

Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, King of Kings: Show us this day your awesome power and authority as this monstrous storm, this hurricane, sets itself to ravage any way it can, our land, our homes, our lives. We acknowledge the Word of God which says that "all power and authority" has been given to Jesus Christ who sits at the right hand of God, who has been given authority over all things in heaven and in earth, under the earth, and in the sea, to the glory of the Most High God.

Father, we pray in this Name which is above every Name, even Jesus the Christ, to show us the glory of Thy grace and mercy. For you have said you would have mercy, not sacrifice. So let it be with this storm of turmoil and savagery that has marked this area of the earth for its retribution for hatred and deception, whether perceived or real, and let the awesome power and presence of the Christ, in which are found the perfect balance of the earth elements, dissipate and quell, this storm that threatens our shores this day. Father, I pray that you will be with all those who are moving to escape the storm's ravages, its rage, and protect them, their lives, their homes, and their property, as you dispense your merciful grace and peace.

Let us not be deceived by our mental imaginings that your arm is shortened; for it is absolute, and available if we but call on the name of the Lord. We Praise Thee! We give Thee all the Glory! We fall on our knees in Thanksgiving for your boundless Mercy and Grace. We honor Thee with our lips and voices, and we give Thanks that Thou Art Our God! Hallelujah!

Amen.

[SE Mom]

Great news:) Bet the ones who went to Austin won't be having so much fun now, eh?

[Hilltop]

typo...replace you're a contraction, with your a possesive.

:)

[gpapa]

Bouy 42001 update 6:50 pm cdt
75.8 kt
104.9 kts

[JudyinCanada]

Until quite recently it fluctuated between 79 to 89 cents per litre (I hate this stupid metric system!!!!)

I filled up at 98 cents the other day, and thought that was pretty bad! Everyone is in a panic and the lineups are looooooonnnnngggg at the few stations that are holding out at $1.04 a litre. But they're running out of gas.