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Locked on 09/23/2005 9:43:13 AM PDT by Admin Moderator, reason:
Part VI: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1490045/posts |
Posted on 09/22/2005 5:44:09 PM PDT by NautiNurse
Extremely dangerous Category Four Hurricane Rita continues to move toward landfall along the northwest Gulf of Mexico shoreline. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations continue across Texas and Louisiana coastal areas. Lake Charles LA is providing evacuations by bus for residents who have no transportation.
Traffic gridlock in the greater Houston area was compounded by gasoline stations without fuel, long lines at those stations still carrying fuel, and record breaking temperatures on the first day of autumn.
Offshore drilling platforms and rigs, as well as oil refineries, petrochemical and natural gas plants are in the path of the storm. Wave heights recorded by buoy have exceeded 38 feet. The refineries threatened by Hurricane Rita are on higher ground than those affected by flooding from Katrina. As a result, speculation abounds regarding future prices for winter heating fuel and gasoline.
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
KPLC-TV Lake Charles KPLC Streaming
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 IV
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part III
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part II
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part I
Tropical Storm Rita
Tropical Depression 18
Eyewall Regeneration (Replenishment) cycle - the eyewall shifts, breaksdown and reforms as it rotates and as conditions vary.
Hi, Girl!
You enjoying the weather?
(I really feel for these poor folks in TX & LA...)
Yikes, I was accidentally lurking, out of force of habit. I can post here!
(When facing my imminent Death by Rita, I said to myself, if I die, I must die a FReeper.)
I'm here, but still have 6 "Thursday" things on my to-do list left--and 21 "Friday" things to go, including siliconing the bathtub plug in place before filling up the tub--it has flunked two tests so far. Then I can FReep--but of course, I'll be without power by then.
But what a day, starting with a wake-up phone call telling me "it's going east, it's going east! We're staying!"
However, I'm still considering her a Cat 5 coming in at Galveston. Never turn your back on a herricane or himmicane--they just can't be trusted.
Prayers going up for my friends in the Golden Triangle and all points twixt here, there and Lock Cholly.
Hope to BBL.
sound can travel quite a distance in the right atmospheric conditions.
Cameron is toast.
Ian, are you going to be around tomorrow during the day on the threads?
Damn!
ah geez...............we really don't need that!
In an eyewall replacement cycle the inner eye disolves as a newer/larger one forms around it. They happen with most storms, and it's become a very overused term. One has happened today though. During the cycle, the storm typically loses some of its punch. As the new eye take over and contract, there is usually some strengthening if other conditions are favorable.
You are seeing it right and it is odd. Most weather systems move west to east. It was supposed to head north. This will unfortunately drop a lot of rain in some areas.
It is worth reading. Gives the different gradations of severity.
As of late afternoon...Hurricane rita was approaching the northwestern portions of the gulf...And is expected to continue moving west-northwest. Rita is forecast to reach the upper texas coast as a category 4 hurricane late friday night or early saturday morning. Hurricane force winds are expected to reach the coastal counties early saturday morning and spread inland across the eastern part of southeast texas throughout the day saturday. Tropical storm force winds will spread inland throughout the day saturday across the western sections of our area.
For sustained wind 90 to 110 mph with gusts 115 to 135 mph: extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage...All mobile homes will be destroyed!
Structural damage: houses of poor to average construction will be destroyed or severely damaged. Moderate to major damage of well constructed houses will include failure of up to one half of all gabled roofs. In addition....Up to one quarter of exterior walls will fail.
Aluminum and light weight steel roofs will be torn off buildings at industrial parks. Partial roof and exterior wall failures are likely at low rise apartment buildings...Especially those of poor to average construction. Most windows in high rise office buildings will be blown out...With other minor to moderate damage possible due to swaying.
Airborne debris of light to moderate weight will cause additional major damage...As well as injuries and a few fatalities.
Near total power loss is expected. Up to one half of all power poles will be knocked down...And hundreds of transformers will pop. The availability of potable water will be diminished as filtration systems begin to fail.
Natural damage: thousands of trees will be severely damaged. Up to three quarters of all healthy small to medium sized trees will snap or be uprooted... Most common on saturated ground. Up to one half of healthy large trees will snap or be uprooted. Severe damage is expected to citrus orchards...Some orchards may be destroyed. Most newly planted ground crops will be wiped out. Livestock left outside will be injured... Some critically. A few livestock deaths are likely.
For sustained wind 110 to 130 mph with gusts 140 mph or more:
catastrophic damage expected to man made and natural structures!
Houses of poor to average construction will be severely damaged or destroyed. Well constructed homes will have substantial damage to roof and walls. Destruction may occur to homes with gabled roofs... With the wind lifting them off. More than half of all industrial buildings will be destroyed...Others will have partial roof and wall damage. Wood framed garden apartment buildings will be severely damaged or destroyed...And others will have partial roof and wall failures.
High rise office buildings will sway dangerously. Most windows will be blown out...And moderate structural damage is possible.
Airborne debris...Some pieces greater than 50 pounds...Will cause extensive damage. Persons...Pets...And livestock exposed to the winds are at great risk for injury or death.
Electricity and water will be unavailable for days...And perhaps weeks...After the storm passes. The majority of trees will be snapped and uprooted...Most common among those of small and medium size. Citrus orchards will be destroyed as will all newly planted ground crops. Established ground crops will have damage...With up to one half of fields no longer arable. Livestock exposed to the winds will be critically injured or killed.
Persons in the region should take action to secure trash cans...Lawn furniture...And other loose or lightweight outdoor objects. High winds can topple trees...Blow weakened roofs off houses...And down power lines.
Hurricane rita is comparable to hurricane carla of 1961...The last destructive category 4 storm to hit the upper texas coast.
Stay tuned to noaa weather radio...Commercial radio or television stations...Or your cable television provider for the latest information concerning hurricane rita.
May the Good Lord Bless and Watch over you and your'n, stay low and take care.
I can only imagine how difficult a stretch he's had- this has to be heaven/hell for a meteorologist.
More than today. I have a few things to do with school tomorrow afternoon, but I should be around a good deal.
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