Tropical Storm Rita Live Thread

NHC - NOAA ^ | 18 September 2005 | NHC - NOAA

[NautiNurse]

Tropical Storm Rita has developed from TD 18 in the Atlantic Ocean. TS Rita is currently located north of Hispaniola, the eastern tip of Cuba, and ESE of Nassau, Bahamas. Hurricane watches and warnings are in effect for portions of Florida. Check for local weather statements.

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
Forecast Models
Buoy Data SE Florida
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Florida

Images:

Storm Floater IR Loop
Visible Storm Floater Still (only visible during daylight hours)
Color Enhanced Atlantic Loop
Florida Radar/Sat Loop Caution: Broadband users only!
Miami Long Range Radar Loop
Key West Long Range Radar Loop
Miami Experimental Radar Still Image
Key West Experimental Radar Still Image

Streaming Video: (coverage may be intermittent)
WFOR-TV/DT Miami (WMP) - http://dayport.wm.llnwd.net/dayport_0025_live"
WSVN-TV/DT Miami (WMP) - mms://216.242.118.141/broadband

Other Resources:

Florida East Coast Surf Reports Lots of great info here, including surf cams
Central Florida Hurricane Center
Hurricane City

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

[Willie Green]

Thank-you for thinking about me!
Yes, I AM watching this closely...
but being new around here, I'm not quite sure what to expect.
I ***assume*** that we're safe from any kind of storm surge here in Cypress...
but as far as damaging winds or flooding from rain... ???

[CindyDawg]

Huh. I've never heard of that. I'm on a 500 dollar deductible.

[Types_with_Fist]

Still haven't seen Rayer May Nagin... um... Nayer Ray Magin... Mayor Ray Nagin on the tube yet. It keeps getting postponed. Is he really struggling with whether or not to allow people back into the city -- with a new storm on the way?

[hummingbird]

I loved the "cone of silence" and how Max and the Chief had to yell at eat other inside the "c of s" before abandoning it!

HURRICANE PING

[Howlin]

Might as well line them up now:

http://www.wxnation.com/houston/


http://www.skeetobiteweather.com/

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tlh/tropical/

Texas Weather Cams:

http://www.weatherimages.org/weathercams/usa.html#TX

[CedarDave]

The two other mayors that I have seen being interviewed on TV/radio (Key West and Galveston), are already getting evacuation plans underway. Not waiting for the President to call and tell them to get on the stick. Nagin was and remains just a first class idiot.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

I thought maybe you had run away from home........;^)

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

That's not good........

[shield]

that we're safe from any kind of storm surge here in Cypress

You should be. Got any creeks, bayous close to you? Sometimes those can be tricky.

[Orange1998]

Galveston basically did away with the seawall. Enough sand was added to the beach were only 2-3 foot of seawall is left. So much for the curved seawall design.

[NTegraT]

I keep trying to catch up on this thread.I'm behind because I had to leave the house this morning and y'all are posting faster than I can read. I'm in Katy too. Did you know that in the Galveston hurricane of 1900 that all but two houses were demolished in Katy?

[Types_with_Fist]

Here he comes!!!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Yes, safe from the storm surge, but not safe from flooding. The rains could easily affect the creeks in your area. We need someone in your area to help us - let me see if I can find a Cypress area freeper........

[onyx]

Thanks DES. I am watching and waiting for all information.

It's just darn difficult to believe we're in for another.

[Txsleuth]

Nagin presser alert...NOW on Fox!

[shield]

Here's a good link: http://euler.atmos.colostate.edu/~vigh/guidance/atlantic/early1.png

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

WHAT??????

[mcshot]

I've been lurking there following hurricane projections and I must say there are some combative, snippy personalities posting there - perhaps so in other professions too.

mc

[Types_with_Fist]

Nagin is "suspending all reentry into NO" LOL!

[SE Mom]

Our governor Jeb is giving a press conference now. He is just wonderful and I know we are in good hands. He's got his whole TEAM there...giving out the various kinds of info they're responsible for..number one is IF you're in MONROE County, Florida...get out NOW.

God Bless Jeb.