I did just a quick and dirty distance from Corpus Christi to Austin and it's very close to the distance from Gulfport, MS to Jackson, MS. Now that would assume a path of Rita from CC toward Austin but it's going to be close to that according to latest models. Jackson was getting hurricane force winds for an hour and 1/2 out of Katrina, plan accordingly.
Thx for the info. We're going to scout out the older tree limbs, and bring things inside. Thankfully we're located where there're no flooding problems (our home & yard backs to a 30 foot cliff with a river below, hence very good drainage).
We've got some really nice vines growing on our pergola that we'd hate to lose -- I guess I should get out there and wrap 'em up with some landscape fabric or something.
Dallas is only ~250mi N of Austin, too, and I'm expecting us to get the biggest rainstorm I've ever seen at the very least - we're only about 400-odd from Houston. This one looks like it's either going to cruise up the 35/45 corridor or parallel it. Either way, it's not going to be a whole lot of fun.
The only good news is that if it hits between Galveston and Corpus is that there's not really a whole lot there for the eyewall to destroy.
I share your concern. Jackson was about 100 miles or so from Gulfport. If landfall is in the Port Lavaca area or thereabouts, Austin is about 140 miles from the coast. If this is anywhere accurate and Rita is as strong as Katrina when it comes ashore, Austinites need to take necessary precautions.