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Locked on 09/22/2005 3:40:46 AM PDT by Jim Robinson, reason:
New thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1489163/posts |
Posted on 09/21/2005 4:19:11 PM PDT by NautiNurse
Extremely dangerous and large Category Five Hurricane Rita is churning westward across the Gulf of Mexico toward Texas. Air Force Reconnaissance indicated the central pressure has dropped to 904mb, making Rita the fifth most intense hurricane ever in the Atlantic Basin.
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches have been issued from Northern Mexico through the South Louisiana coastline. Galveston TX used school buses to evacuate residents. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations are in effect along the Texas coastline.
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
Rita Forecast Track Archive
Forecast Models
Buoy Data Western Gulf of Mexico
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Texas
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Louisiana
Images:
Storm Floater IR Loop
GOM WV Loop
GOM IR Still Image
Visible Storm Floater Still (only visible during daylight hours)
Color Enhanced Atlantic Loop
Streaming Video: (coverage may be intermittent)
KHOU-TV/DT Houston: mms://beloint.wm.llnwd.net/beloint_khou
WWLTV NOLA
Additional Resources:
FReeper Sign In Thread Check in to let us know whether you are staying, going, and when you get there
FReepers Offering Lodging To Rita Evacuees People and/or Pet Friendly FReepers Offering Shelter
Coastal TX Evacuation Maps
KHOU Houston
KTRK ABC News Houston
Hurricane City
Wxnation Houston
Galveston Webcams
Golden Triangle Weather Page Provides Galveston Weather, Warnings, Radar, etc.
| 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 |
Previous Threads:
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part II
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part I
Tropical Storm Rita
Tropical Depression 18
He can take 59 all the way north to I-20 then take I-20 west back into Dallas. It makes for a long drive (like taking two sides of a triangle rather than one) but there is something to be said for getting as far away from the coast as you can. Perhaps Lufkin can be the temporary goal while he gets a "power nap" after finding your aunt a potty and some food. Lufkin and "Nac" are friendly towns big enough to have a couple of places to eat/sleep normally.
Unreal.
I am numb from thinking about it.
FNC just said 175 mph SUSTAINED winds.
Lord have mercy.
Don't get too cocky......and let us know what you're going to do.
Yes, I'm thinking you are smarter to head for Laredo or the Rio Grande Valley. Assuming the storm eventually moves north those areas will be safe enough and may be overlooked by a lot of the folks urging escape.
New models and predictions show Rita path further east than expected.
Our current choice is to ride it out here in Sugar Land unless a direct hit becomes imminent.
I know one thing. You won't find many Texans shooting at the folks trying to rescue them. Want to know the real reason relief efforts in New Orleans were so slow? That was a big part of it. Those folks weren't expecting bullets instead of thank yous.
It's in (drumroll...) New Mexico! So we've got a 700-mile drive ahead of us,>>>>>>>
Checkout post 44.......might be easier than a trip to NM
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1488829/posts
Thanks for reminding me. Gotta load some clips for the SKS.
Morning thread bump. Checking here for updates.
Not much can stand up to that speed. We can hope they will drop by at least 20 mph when the eye reaches the coast, otherwise we are looking at total devastation. There is nothing but hot air and hot water in front of this beast. One has to wonder whether the shallowness of the continental shelf off the coast of Texas will enhance or diminish the height of the storm surge. My untrained experience would hazard a guess that the height will be slightly diminished but the volume will be enhanced. IE - A wider surge.
The data that I posted came from the 10 pm local news... water temperature at about 90... 85 degrees nearer shore... may diminish to cat. 4 upon contact with slightly cooler water... still lethal... I was thinking about all of the things at home that could be used for water collection/storage... tub, sinks, fridge turned on it's back, washing machine... I am in Illinois... little danger here... button down the hatches...
Texas A&M University Training Ship U.S.T.S. Texas Clipper II is reporting 25 kt winds at 22.40 -88.20...
Apparently it's at sea??
I thought TAM had their ships in New Orleans?
Got to sandbag Mom's patio entrance and evac her cats to my place, she'll be in Dallas.
We are rethinking it now based on latest computer models. We may bug out tonight.
What has changed for you, the direction?
Is there a new link?
The image is fouled up for some reason. But these are the latest computer models at Weather Underground. We would be back in the NE quadrant range if these hold or even shift further east. Will be packed to go, and wait til the reports this afternoon to decide. If not looking good, we will head to Atlanta overnight.
Interesting note from VORTEX:
At 1.30AM
6z VORTEX wrote:
MAX FL WIND 165 KT NE QUAD 05:34:00 Z
FREQUENT LIGHTNING
MODERATE TURBULENCE IN EYEWALL
EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE STADIUM EFFECT IN MOONLIGHT
They are heading to his sister's home in Dallas. I am biting my nails until I hear they have made it.
Oh, damn.
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