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Posted on 09/22/2005 3:25:57 AM PDT by NautiNurse
Extremely dangerous Category 5 Hurricane Rita continues to threaten the Greater Houston Metropolitan area. The forecast track has shifted slightly to the northeast, increasing the risk to Southwest Louisiana, and a significant portion of the oil and gas operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Texas Governor Perry is urging all coastal residents between Beaumont and Corpus Christi to evacuate as soon as possible.
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
Houston/Galveston/Beaumont/Lake Charles Wx Watches/Warnings
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Texas
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Louisiana
Hi Res Houston Flood Zone Map Slow load, great detail
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)
KPRC-TV/DT Houston - KPRC-TV/DT Houston - http://mfile.akamai.com/12944/live/reflector:38616.asx
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
Beaumont TX evac Routes
Lake Charles/Southwest LA Evacuation Map
KHOU Houston
KTRK ABC News Houston
KPLC Lake Charles Evac Routes, news
KFDM Beaumont/Port Arthur News, evac info
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 III
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part II
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part I
Tropical Storm Rita
Tropical Depression 18
They are starting the contraflow now.
It is a logistics nightmare to do it and keep folks from killing each other.
SG, my prayers are with you. This storm is massive and if I were in your situation, I am not sure what I'd do.
One thing for sure, if you don't get out, you'll be facing some horrible times, if you survive.
CNN is saying that once it makes landfall, it will kind of "park" and continue to rain.
If you have any children, get out a.s.a.p., go join your family.
Flights will probably be cancelled soon, so get on a plane as soon as you can.
Again, my prayers are with you. Please check in to let us all know how you are. Hopefully, from a computer, safe in Oklahoma....
"I am in northwest Houston, near 290 and Barker Cypress."
Hubby's right. It is safer if you stay home. You will also keep one unnecessary evacuee off the road, making it that much easier for those who need to leave.
I speak as someone who has lived in Houston since '79, evacuated for three hurricanes (including THIS one), and ridden out two (or maybe three) others in the Clear Lake area.
Given the crowded conditions of the roads, anyone north of I-10 and west of I-45 that evacuates (except maybe near the ship channel) is now safer staying at home. You may not be comfortable -- it will be hot, nasty, and dark -- but you are safer in a well-built home than in a car halfway to Huntsville or Brenham. If you wanted to leave, you should have left yesterday.
I am leaving and won't see him. I think this is a good thing, as my BP wouldn't take it.
me too...
Everyone should have a good, detailed map of their state for times like these. I like the Atlas & Gazetteer from DeLorme. You can get them on Amazon. They have been a life saver several times. I show horses and have an atlas for every state I travel to. Getting stuck on an interstate in extreme heat with a trailer load of valuable horses is not good. These Atlases are very detailed. For example, I live on a dirt road and my driveway is even on the map! I never leave home with out my atlas and my pistol.
My computer gave me the blue screen of death, so I guess it's time to take a few hours off.
Yeah - you are right.
I cant make the call for her - as I dont live there. Thank goodness. I used to live about 50 miles outta Houston & that was way too close.
Houston mayor on TWC (before they cut away) saying basically it's better to be stuck in traffic now than in a flood later.
Just heard via NOAA, winds at 175 mph
The Donald can kiss my big fat lilly white gulf coast born and bred butt. Come on hairman...i dare ya.
Excuse my french...this man really bothers me.
Stay safe Miss Marple
I was fortunate to miss it due to the Jet Blue incidence. BOR will always have someone on who will do the bashing.
Dunno which advisory you caught. That 175 mph came from the 4 am CDT one, but they have put out an intermediate one at 7 am that knocked down the winds to 170 mph.
Everybody is guessing at this point. I spent the past two days trying to talk my in-laws into leaving Sealy as the eye was headed right for them. It shifted overnight and now is unfortunaltey pointed more in your direction. As far inland as you are, it is likely you will only have minor structural damage. Being without electricity and water for days or weeks are more likely bigger worries.
I would follow the recommendations of the local officials and use that to convince your husband. Personally, I could not leave my family.
"Stay safe!"
Me and mine are already at a relative's house wa-a-a-y up in the Hill Country. We *is* safe.
Last night right before I went to bed they had it clocked at 9 mph.
Given it is the size of the state of Georgia, the people on the ground are going to be dealing with F3 winds for hours.
Hill Country is beautiful. Glad ya'll are safe and sound! Hoping to hear sister has made it to Trinity before too long.
Forward speed was still about 9 mph in a general west-northwest direction in the 7 am advisory.
I don't think he has nearly as much money as he leads people to believe he has. I think he's a con man.
How well is your home constructed, and are you in a flood plain? I would think wind damage would be your main concern if you are not in a flood area.
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