Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part III

NHC - NOAA ^ | 21 September 2005 | NHC - NOAA

[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

[fishntex]

"""What's with all this damn IRRELEVANT arguing on this thread?""


Low pressure systems tend to make children cranky. ;)"


I am telling you that it is that b!*$h Rita. She is pitting us against each other.

[Flyer]

I squeak in ok between two fingers of the 100 year flood plain.

[lsee]

Forgive me for saying this, but I'm praying that either the hurricane subsides or that it make a sharp turn left towards Mexico...I don't want my state to end up like N.O. I have family and friends there!

Some people have friends and family in Mexico. Just sayin'

[WKB]

Reply to #1,759




Got your pen and paper ready for the dead count,
there TR?

[Lazamataz]

Those are the two scariest pictures I have seen since Katrina.

[Tuxedo]

This is very disturbing. I had two conferences to attend for the rest of the year... one in December in New Orleans (moved now to Norfolk, VA), and one in October in Galveston. The travel powers-that-be evidently want me to stay home. If one lines up Norfolk, VA, I'm going to Vegas.

[publana]

Some people have friends and family in Mexico. Just sayin'

I do, but they're all in-laws. My family is in Texas. Guess where I hope the storm is going. :P

[SVTCobra03]

Seeing as how this is the third most powerful hurricane in recorded history and the most powerful to hit the US, you really need to ask yourself this question: "Have I filled out my application for the Darwin Award yet?"

[Lazamataz]

I squeak in ok between two fingers of the 100 year flood plain.

Then that map was of use to you. GOOD!

[sarasmom]

Wishing you luck, and praying for all in the path of this storm.
DG...please evacuate, or at the very least, please relocate yourself to your wife's immediate vicinity.
If I understand it correctly, she can not honorably leave her hospital post.
Dog Gone, please leave.
We can hold a fund raiser and replace your possessions, we can't replace your ornery self.
It's a Cat5 folks!
Don't get stuck on stupid!

[lonestar]

Here I am in southeast Texas...

Me, too. If you blow by, holler! I'll do likewise.

Where are you?

[publana]

Good Lord... I'm actually having to watch CNN because they're STILL talking about the stupid landing in LAX on FOX. Who's in charge over there?

[janetjanet998]

she is looking even stronger now..i suspect we will have a pressure near Gilberts record low of 888MB when recon gets in there in a few hours..but thats not really fair to gilbert since recon wasn't in there as much and they may have missed the actual lowest pressure

[Howlin]

I'd sure take it as a sign, my friend.

[Patriot from Philly]

I haven't heard Hannity that excited since the Runaway Bride. I really want to hear more about this hurricane. It has the possibility to be historic. Praying for everyone in Texas, although they seem to be doing a great job with the evacuations.

[mhking]

Got a new feed for you:

KPRC-TV/DT Houston - http://mfile.akamai.com/12944/live/reflector:38616.asx

[Xenalyte]

Whew! That map was a relief to this broad. Might be able to talk the mister out of duct-taping all the windows.

[floriduh voter]

Nice & kewl at my place. The plane landing in LA took away from Rita coverage. I haven't seen the latest view of her/it. We are having very light rain, almost like a mist.

[Dog]

Just got in from work ...whats the latest?