Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part VIII
www.freerepublic.com | September 24, 2005

Posted on 09/24/2005 9:58:36 AM PDT by Howlin

Hurricane Rita landfall is anticipated within the next few hours. Strong winds and heavy rains are battering southern Louisiana and southeastern Texas.

MSM news crews are shouting over the howling winds as they foolishly describe blowing rain, swaying trees, and crashing waves through rain splattered camera lenses. It's a hurricane. We know these things already.

An 18 wheeler rig reportedly overturned on an I-10 bridge. The fate of the truck driver is unknown at this time. Reports of widespread power outages in Lake Charles. KPLC-TV Lake Charles local news has remarkably improvised their reporting from a remote location. They are taking calls from residents, NWS, and public utility representatives, and alerting residents to local conditions.

On the flip side, CNN announced to the world that law enforcement officers had evacuated from Port Arthur TX with the rest of the population. Engraved looter invitations would have been more elegant.

Godspeed to all those in the path of this storm.

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
Jefferson Co TX NWS Weather
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:


Lake Charles Long Range Radar Still image, with loop link
Houston/Galveston Long Range Radar Still image, with loop link
Lake Charles Experimental Radar Outages and Delays May Occur

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
KPRC-TV/DT Houston
KTRK-TV/DT Houston
KTRH-AM Houston
KPLC-TV/DT Lake Charles/Lafayette
KSLA-TV/DT Shreveport

Additional Resources:

Hurricane Rita Freeper CHECK IN THREAD

FReeper Sign In Thread (LOCKED) 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

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 VII
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part VI
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part V
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


TOPICS: Breaking News; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Louisiana; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: hurricanerita; rita; weather
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 2,041-2,0602,061-2,0802,081-2,100 ... 2,181-2,195 next last
To: VirginiaMom

They aren't going to get it without a fight from me...I am going to call and e-mail both of my Senators and my Rep. Joe Barton....

I plan on telling them that LA needs to be responsible for some of that money...if for no other reason than the stupidity of the local and state officials..and the corruption that kept the repairs to the levee from being done----

I also intend to tell them that I don't want any $$$$ going to reconstruction in NO until the levees are fixed the CORRECT WAY...not a quick-fix...and NOT by a LA firm if it doesn't have a better idea than a firm from out of state...

I DO NOT want it to be written in a resolution that LA businesses AUTOMATICALLY get all of the contracts...

Why fix even ONE house, if the levees aren't fixed???


2,061 posted on 09/26/2005 12:06:20 PM PDT by Txsleuth (Arlington, Texas--future home of the Dallas Cowboys!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2055 | View Replies]

To: eastforker

Same thing here. They wanted me in on Sunday to start powering the servers back up... in the Woodlands!

From Sugar Land to the Woodlands and back, in heavy traffic, on a half tank of gas and no way to replace it. I don't FReepin' think so.

I'm working from home for now.


2,062 posted on 09/26/2005 12:07:35 PM PDT by Michael Goldsberry (an enemy of islam -- Joe Boucher; Leapfrog; Dr.Zoidberg; Lazamataz; ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2060 | View Replies]

To: Leapfrog

I found gasoline today at the Krogers at Mason Road and Westheimer Parkway. That's about 15 miles north of you, but it may be worth a shot. You might call them first to make sure they haven't run out.


2,063 posted on 09/26/2005 12:08:44 PM PDT by Dog Gone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2057 | View Replies]

To: Howlin


Where have you been?


2,064 posted on 09/26/2005 12:13:17 PM PDT by onyx ((Vicksburg, MS) North is a direction. South is a way of life.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1956 | View Replies]

To: hoosiermama

Wait until I tell you in FR mail what we acquired today from an old character we met at the auction yesterday.


2,065 posted on 09/26/2005 12:17:49 PM PDT by onyx ((Vicksburg, MS) North is a direction. South is a way of life.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2017 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone

Thanks for the info.

I don't really need to race around to find gas though. I've got pretty much everything I need for awhile here already.

Sure, I'm anxious to get back down to Galveston to survey that house, but for now I'll just sit back and let folks who are in a more desperate situation get the fuel.

I'm happy to have the A/C back and a goodly stock of cold beer.


2,066 posted on 09/26/2005 12:19:29 PM PDT by Michael Goldsberry (an enemy of islam -- Joe Boucher; Leapfrog; Dr.Zoidberg; Lazamataz; ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2063 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone

There is a poster that got his hard in Miss. from Katrina, and her gas station owner started having people make "appointments" to get gas....

She said it worked well....she would call up and he would say to come at 3:00, which she did, and didn't have to wait in line and waste gas...

I thought it was a brilliant idea....of course, a gas station in a major city on a main thoroughfare might not be able to do that...but it seemed to work in that one instance.


2,067 posted on 09/26/2005 12:20:31 PM PDT by Txsleuth (Arlington, Texas--future home of the Dallas Cowboys!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2063 | View Replies]

To: Howlin

Probably some buddy of Coach Blanco.


2,068 posted on 09/26/2005 12:21:30 PM PDT by Ellesu (www.thedeadpelican.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2047 | View Replies]

To: LA Woman3

BLANCO ADMINISTRATION SHAKEUP
SEPTEMBER 26, 2005

Changes are taking place in the Blanco Administration sources tell Rogers.

Chief of staff Andy Kopplin is mysteriously being "moved," sources tell Rogers.

Though he will retain his title as chief of staff, he will only deal with the storm's aftermath.

Another staff member will do everything but that, Rogers has learned. That is, another person will be taking over many of Kopplin's duties.

Jimmy Clarke, Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs for the Board of Regents, is believed to be this person.

Developing...
http://www.thedeadpelican.com


2,069 posted on 09/26/2005 12:30:27 PM PDT by Ellesu (www.thedeadpelican.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2047 | View Replies]

To: Leapfrog

Just got a report in from work: Rolling blackouts to commence immediately.

Don't know if this advisory from Entergy is for the Woodlands area only or if it will be wider.


2,070 posted on 09/26/2005 12:36:01 PM PDT by Michael Goldsberry (an enemy of islam -- Joe Boucher; Leapfrog; Dr.Zoidberg; Lazamataz; ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2066 | View Replies]

To: dirtboy

Shep is in NOLA now and reporting the cold hard facts. It is hard. The politicians will pander, but the people are being realistic. The only thing that makes sense is to double up on the levees that protect areas that did not flood and seriously thinking about dredging and filling. The whole place needs a new land use plan.

For those that are there. I know it is hard. But you really have to slow down. It takes a long time. We did not have power for weeks. I got a generator, found a canteen, and just started to pittle around the yard. It took me about a week to get the pool cage out of the pool. Work slow, drink water. Take breaks; get away. Life comes back, but it is slow. Everybody I know in Punta Gorda that moved to fast got screwed. Don't sign contracts with anyone.


2,071 posted on 09/26/2005 12:37:09 PM PDT by Sunnyflorida
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2037 | View Replies]

To: Leapfrog
NOOOOOOOOOO! Hopefully, that's just the Entergy sector. They are not connected to ERCOT which covers most of Texas, but does include The Woodlands, Tomball and other parts north of Houston.

It is SO hot today. Don't take my AC away! (whining in a very pleading voice....)

2,072 posted on 09/26/2005 12:49:11 PM PDT by Dog Gone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2070 | View Replies]

To: Sunnyflorida; jeffers
Do you think they cheaped out on rip-rap? Should it not go down to the bottom of the dam? Think the embankment is too steep? Who built it? Halliburton :)?

Clearly, this is George Bush's fault and even though the construction was done in 1966 by Forest and Cotton, Inc., I sense Halliburton involvement. Just what was Dick Cheney doing in 1966? I just can't imagine the riprap vanishing, I'll bet the slope is less than 3-1 or they didn't go to the bottom but most likely Halliburton stole it for use in Iraq.

Barnes said the city has done its own calculations and he doesn't think the river will rise as high as 29 feet, though residents should assume otherwise. Barnes said that Liberty the city of 8,300 is prepared because it built a 34-foot levee after the 1994 flooding. The river flows through the city.

The initial wall of water was 36 feet (at least at the gaging station) maybe that's why they scaled it back. It's at 37k CFS now.

"We feel comfortable," Barnes said. "We will not reach a critical mass stage for the majority of the city of . I just don't think it's going to happen."

Hope he's right. . I think it's time for a field trip to inspect the dam about 40 miles upstream of me.

2,073 posted on 09/26/2005 12:50:42 PM PDT by Colorado Doug (Diversity is divisive. E. Pluribus Unum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2034 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone; Leapfrog

Early this afternoon, Entergy began interrupting service north of Houston to avoid a broader blackout that could affect the area for a longer period.

The rolling outages, which will occur in 60-minute intervals, will affect more than 142,000 homes and businesses in Montgomery, Walker, Grimes, and Liberty counties.

"Hurricane Rita has devastated our electrical system," said Joe Domino, president of Entergy Texas, whose company earlier asked customers in the affected area to voluntarily reduce their usage electricity.


2,074 posted on 09/26/2005 1:10:09 PM PDT by BurbankKarl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2072 | View Replies]

To: Txsleuth
I also intend to tell them that I don't want any $$$$ going to reconstruction in NO until the levees are fixed the CORRECT WAY...

Congress taketh away, then Congress giveth. My guess is that teh below is but one example of "just under the radar."

US Congress is probably as corrupt as Louisiana, and US COngress has lots more power and our money to "play" with.

[[Page 110 STAT. 3717]]
Public Law 104-303

SEC. 325. LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN, LOUISIANA.

The project for hurricane damage prevention and flood control, Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, authorized by section 204 of the Flood Control Act of 1965 (79 Stat. 1077), is modified to provide that St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, and the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District, Louisiana, shall not be required to pay the unpaid balance, including interest, of the non-Federal cost-share of the project.

WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1996


2,075 posted on 09/26/2005 1:10:54 PM PDT by Cboldt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2061 | View Replies]

To: BurbankKarl

A goat named Cabrito hangs out in his life jacket on a shrimp boat in Terrebonne Parish following Hurricane Rita.

2,076 posted on 09/26/2005 1:11:15 PM PDT by BurbankKarl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2074 | View Replies]

To: buickmackane
chasing a DHL truck that never got around to delivering the shipment to me.

I've had to chase those idiots too. I don't think they do so well with rural delivery.

2,077 posted on 09/26/2005 1:12:41 PM PDT by Colorado Doug (Diversity is divisive. E. Pluribus Unum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2051 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone

Aren't they postponing school in Houston for a while??

They should, if for no other reason than that they wouldn't have to air condition them....it is so hot in Texas right now...that would probably cause more brown-outs...

plus, you wouldn't have to gas up the school buses, and people wouldn't have to use precious gas to take their kids to school.


2,078 posted on 09/26/2005 1:14:01 PM PDT by Txsleuth (Mike Pence for President--2008!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2072 | View Replies]

To: NYer

Catholic Church to cut jobs in New Orleans
9/26/2005, 9:16 a.m. CT
The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Archdiocese of New Orleans, which was hit by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, said Monday that it will lay off a yet-to-be determined number of workers over the coming weeks.

In a news release, the Catholic Church's archdiocese said it is trying to determine how to best utilize diminished resources.

All employees were asked to report by Oct. 3. At that time, workers will learn if jobs are available, said the Rev. William Maestri, the archdiocese spokesman. If jobs are not available, workers will be given two weeks of pay and the chance to apply for jobs outside the archdiocese, Maestri said.

Maestri said he did not know how many of the archdiocese's 9,000 workers would be laid off.


2,079 posted on 09/26/2005 1:16:49 PM PDT by BurbankKarl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2078 | View Replies]

To: Cboldt

Sure, just like kids...if you don't make them "pay" for things like repairs for cars if they wreck them...or pay for their own college costs if they fail classes...

they won't worry about what they break or when they fail, because it won't "cost" them anything.

Louisiana, from everything I have seen so far, like what you posted...has NEVER had to pay for NOT using the money allocated for levees and they haven't even done it when ordered to by the Congress...

SOOOO, why wouldn't Landrieu and Landrieu, and Blanco, and Nagin and Broussard, and all other LA politicians, think that they will get totally bailed out (literally, this time) again, and again.

I think it is time for them to learn the word "NO"...not totally no, but "no, you are going to do it OUR way now, and that means you get NO CONTROL over the money...the American taxpayers do"...

And we could do that by setting up a "line of credit" for LA...which would cause them to have to have an accountant from nowwhere near LA to audit every expenditure...and monitor all contracts...

Then, when one project is done...they will have to go back to Congress for another withdrawal from their "line of credit"...based on the results of the previous "contract".


2,080 posted on 09/26/2005 1:22:24 PM PDT by Txsleuth (Mike Pence for President--2008!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2075 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 2,041-2,0602,061-2,0802,081-2,100 ... 2,181-2,195 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson