thanks--I guess I'm still trying to will her away from N.O.
Hurricane Katrina Intermediate Advisory Number 15a
Statement as of 2:00 am EDT on August 27, 2005
...Katrina continues to strengthen... still moving toward the
west-southwest...
a Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Florida Bay and for
the Florida Keys from Key Largo southward and westward to Key West
including the Dry Tortugas.
For storm information specific to your area...including possible
inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued
by your local weather office.
At 2 am EDT...0600z...the eye of Hurricane Katrina was located by
radar near latitude 24.4 north... longitude 84.0 west or about 450
miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River and about 135
miles west of Key West Florida.
Katrina is moving toward the west-southwest near 8 mph. A gradual
turn to the west and west-northwest is expected during the next 24
hours.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 110 mph with higher
gusts. Katrina is a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
scale. Katrina is expected to become a major hurricane today.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the
center... and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 85
miles.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 963 mb...28.44 inches.
Storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet above normal tide levels...
can be expected along the southwest coast of Florida in areas of
onshore flow east of Cape Sable... and in Florida Bay. Storm surge
will gradually subside today.
Katrina is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches
over northwestern Cuba and 1 to 3 inches of rainfall is expected
over the Yucatan Peninsula. Rainfall is expected to slowly diminish
across the lower Florida Keys... although an additional 1 to 2
inches of rain is possible in some of the heavier rain bands.
Isolated tornadoes are possible this morning over the Florida Keys.
Repeating the 2 am EDT position...24.4 N... 84.0 W. Movement
toward...west-southwest near 8 mph. Maximum sustained winds...110
mph. Minimum central pressure... 963 mb.
The next advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at
5 am EDT.
Forecaster Knabb
Last major Hurricane to make the hit on New Orleans was Betsy in 1965. Celebrated my 1st birthday with the roofing flying off at my grandparents house in a little town of Goodhope.