I have been reading up on the history of Camille and almost hate to post one of the items from this '61 storm of similar size and impact...but it needs to be said.
Camille had a whole flock of tornados crossing all the Texas area inland from the coast that accompanied it whole storm width. That occuring while the storm passes with them popping up in numbers to large for any ample warning, all need to get in very secure buildings and shelters as even if they are far from the Gulf itself, and on high ground from storm serge, AND off the direct path of the eye, this is an important issue. I read one account of over 75 spawned as Camille came through.
I hope that I am an alarmist, but I hate to research without reporting.
Just saw breaking news on the Corpus Christi Caller Times website that mandatory evacuations will be called there this evening.
Something we must all keep in mind. Rita is growing stronger now, but it will start to weaken again. But there is a chance that this is happening a little too soon. She will have a chance to begin to strengthen again like this before making landfall.
I live in NE TX. I always expect tornadoes when we have a hurricane hit the coast.
Hurricane tornados, especially in the coastal areas, tend to be skinny little critters, taking out a few houses apiece. It would be catastrophic to be hit by one, but a couple hundred homes destroyed by tornados makes it almost jackpot odds that any one place will be hit.