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

[johnb838]

But they will do it loudly and profanely.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

If you think you might get street flooding that comes into the house, go to the store NOW and buy the thickest (in mils) tallest trash bags you can get. If you put the legs of your tables in one or more bags, the chairs on top and more stuff on the chairs, you can save a great deal. Also everything on the closet floor needs to be put in bags on a bed and you MUST get all the cleaning agents out from under your sinks.

[Lanza]

I think he means a Marg-a-Rita will be had by us on the mid Texas coast.

That works for me.

[johnb838]

Don't ever be cocky about a hurricane. Don't ever wish for a hurricane when all you need is a little rain to cool off. You just might get a lot more hurricane than you bargained for.

[BlueAngel]

I have family in Pearland and Alvin and I do worry about them.

I live in Katy (west of Houston) so I could be getting some company!

[Orange1998]

Could you explain about named storm.

[mhking]

KHOU-TV/DT Houston: Galveston's mayor has announced a voluntary evacuation of Galveston beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Dozens of buses will be provided beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday for anyone needing transportation off the island.

[Lanza]

That's a great idea. I never thought of doing that, just trying to move everything to higher ground.

[johnb838]

I was just told yesterday that my homeowners insurance deductible will be 1%, unless it's a named storm, then it will be 2%.

[Orange1998]

Katrina path was clearly predicted. Unlike most hurricanes.

[Lanza]

You already have company! I checked the dog friendly motels out your way today, and they were full last night with Katrina people still.

[sheikdetailfeather]

Hannity radio show just interviewed the meteorologist (did not catch his name) from the Weather channel. He said this hurricane has the potential to go to a CAT 4 or even 5.

[johnb838]

What are the busses for?

[Strategerist]

Yep, in the last 2 hours the pressure has risen a mb, there's still not the slightest sign of an eye.

It has no chance of being a hurricane at 5PM.

Also, it's begun moving a bit closer to due west now.

[JellyJam]

Buses?! Wow, why didn't I think of that? What a concept.

[Orange1998]

HUH??? It's not even in the gulf yet.

[jpsb]

Thing to watch is intensity and size. Big is bad and intense is bad, right now Rita is just a T.S. If she get to be a big cat 3 and goes in south of Galveston even 50 miles south Clear Lake will take a hard hit. A big huricane will flood low parts of clear lake 2, 3 days out.

[mhking]

What are the busses for?

To park underwater...

[ContemptofCourt]

New vortex msg just came in....pressure at 995mb (from 994 at 11:00 am).

She hasn't strengthened at all today.

[palmer]

Anyone wishing to save a few bucks should fill their tanks TODAY. Gasoline futures have jumped 24 cents today alone

Futures are speculative, based on weather forecasts and possible refinery shutdowns. But some of the quick rise is due to the fact that people will go fill their tanks as you suggest therefore becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. If gas were a more tradable commodity people would sell their stored gas at the higher price causing prices to fall as fast as they rise. But instead they just use it up.