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

[CedarDave]

I wonder if the Mayor, Governor of LA have any plans in place for Hurricane Rita ?

Those folks who evacuated to the SW LA coast may have to pack up and move again.

BTW, Mayor's family in Dallas and LA governor probably crying again in her morning coffee. Contrast this with Jeb in Florida and soon Perry in Texas. How I despise the RAT's.

[abb]

When do the next set of model runs come out, NN?

[dirtboy]

Nagin made some asinine remark about Allen being the new mayor.

Well, that's an improvement over their current absentee mayor, Nagin.

How's the new house in Dallas?

[Prolifeconservative]

As a matter of fact: This just in........

Bush Questions Reopening of New Orleans

[mhking]

Norcross/WFOR: New Orleans now in play - on the fringe of the future-track.

[rodguy911]

Thanks so much for this link.

[mhking]

When do the next set of model runs come out, NN?

I'm not NN, but after this set, the next runs come out at 5P ET.

[NautiNurse]

Bush Questions Reopening of New Orleans

He's listening to Thad Allen.

[CindyDawg]

:') I was wondering how you would keep the air from lifting it off the pillars. Around here many have garages underneath.

[SlowBoat407]

This is probably the greatest danger from wind. correct to say "This is probably not the greatest danger to a house from wind"

[jsh3180]

175mph enghineering has to do mainly with the amount and size of the rebar in the poured concrete. Roof tie downs beefed up for 175mph uplift.

175 engineereing is becoming pretty well standard here in the lower keys.

For instance the columns that hol the house up on stilts have 8 # 7 reinforcing rods in them. A number 7 rebar is 7/8 of an inch in diameter.

I rode out hurricane Georges here in 1998, sustained winds of 110 or so and gusts to 145. it blew hurricane force for 20 hours. Concrete is a flexible material and will give in the wind. During Georges I could feel the house swaying and the water in the toilets was sloshing around....It was an interesting experience.

[abb]

Ironic that Nagin chooses now to "take charge"....imbecile.

[SlowBoat407]

Cars or other heavy stored items would break up the laminar airflow and keep the house from being a lifting body.

[Gabz]

It was an interesting experience.

Why do I think that is very much of an understatement? ;)

[Fawn]

I guess that means that Palm Beach COunty is off the track map.....

[CindyDawg]

Just asking:')

[Sally'sConcerns]

It may have been Gilbert that I was thinking of. I've been transferred around the state of Texas so many times I have problems remebering dates of when I lived where.

[numberonepal]

We're gonna have to do without buoy 42003 for Rita.

Station 42003 has failed. It will be restored to service when it can be worked into the schedule. When the date is known, it will be posted in the weekly maintenance report.

[Fawn]

Broward County just closed the schools for tomorrow. How LAME...any excuse to close a government agency....jeez.

[sully777]

Can we fast foward past this year?