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

[Txsleuth]

I don't trust too many of the local forecasters...

which is kinda silly considering they mostly just give us the forecasts from the National Weather Service anyhow???

[NCjim]

There is also ZIP for the younger geeks...

[Graymatter]

>>demonic forces

Not to mention the 100 sq. mile land bulge that may be a new volcano in Oregon:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9227930/

and a series of unusually strong quakes at Mt. St. Helens this summer:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/8664387/

[ARealMothersSonForever]

TXCN had the info earlier. Try their website. I did not pay attention, either San Antonio or Huntsville.

[SouthTexas]

pull up just short of the Texas coast and pound it for days

They've been know to do this before.

[fishntex]

And these:

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/satellite/displaySat.php?region=GOM&itype=ir&size=large&endDate=20050922&endTime=-1&duration=12

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/satellite/displaySat.php?region=GOM&itype=vis&size=large&endDate=20050922&endTime=-1&duration=12

[tcrlaf]

South Pass Buoy is no longer reporting. Last report was 4.50pm with 21 foots waves and 36 kt. winds...

Nearest site that wasn't already taken out by Katrina is a Shell Platform (BRUTUS) that was reporting 30kts at 515, but it now seems off line as well....

[meyer]

After our third one last year here in Florida the novelty had wore off.

I only got to enjoy one while visiting Florida - Jeanne. Not the worst, and I watched her pass by from about 30 miles west of Orlando. But it was an experience that I don't want to repeat. And she was only a Cat-1 by the time she got near us. Damage nearby was similar to a very strong thunderstorm. On the coast, the damage was much greater, of course.

[kenth]

My God. 175 sustained.

Praying this thing weakens before it hits whereever it's going to hit. No one needs this thing.

[Nita Nupress]

Oh, aren't you sweet?! I'm kinda fond of you too, Laz. ;-)

[AggieMom x 3]

Kristine Kahanek on Channel 11 is a respected meteorologist who does her own stunts. But she's on vacation this week. :(

[NCC-1701]

With the wind at their back, a 99 yard field goal is highly probable

[shezza]

I'm watching KPRC-TV Houston

Did you see the computer models of the flooding possible from various storm surge heights? Unbelievable!

[No Blue States]

"if this scenario develops, not only will the coast receive catastrophic damage from the storm surge, but interior Texas, including the Dallas/Fort Worth area, might see a deluge of 15 - 30 inches of rain. A huge portion of Texas would be a disaster area."

Dude, wheres my boat? I hope she doesnt stall.

[numberonepal]

Buoys are a mess. Ivan killed 42003 and now 42038 (North Mid Gulf of Mexico 27.42 N 92.57 W) has broken free (doesn't say when):

Station 42038 broke free from its mooring and has been recovered. It will be restored to service when it can be worked into the schedule.

None of the more informative ones have had data updated since 4:50 pm CDT. 42001 will be the one to watch if we get data.

[alancarp]

Best time to evacuate: 2-3am any night.

Just once, though, I would REALLY like to hear a Governor come out at a time like this and give the following speech -- with emotion:

"Ladies and Gentlemen - I am speaking directly to you residents of ___________. I am ordering a mandatory evacuation of your area tonight because of the immediate threat of ________. Let me tell you what this means.

"If you decide to stay in this area and ride out the storm, you must make arrangements for your will to be executed, because I expect a sizable percentage of you to be dead from drowning. You should know that your government will most likely be unable to save you at that time. This is precisely what I am trying to do for you right now, for once the storm begins, you will have taken responsibility for your life. I will not accept that responsibility then, since I'm doing everything possible now. Do not expect to be bailed out.

"If you happen to survive the initial onslaught, you had better have enough food, water, medicine, and other essentials for at least a week. I cannot guarantee normal services for at LEAST that long, and probably longer. Take these words into consideration as you plan the end of your life.

"So if you intend to live past ________, you MUST act NOW to get the **** OUT OF DANGER. If you ignore this warning, notify your next of kin, say your good-byes, and may God have mercy on your soul."

[RoseofTexas]

Please folks....PRAY, pray like never before! Lord Jesus, please father God, subside this horrible storm. You are all powerful and can do anything. At your command, Lord, the waters bow. Please have mercy and command the storm to cease! Have Mercy heavenly Father!

[ErnBatavia]

Pasadena's mayor is on the air now announcing a manditory evacuation beginning at 6A tomorrow.

Sheesh...first no Mardi Gras, and now no Rose Parade.

[bwteim]

Auger is up

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=42361

09 21 8:15 pm NNE 23.3 knots

[AFPhys]

No contest for the "Z" ---

Z-80

(Xenix is much better choice for "X" than XP...)