Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part V

NHC - NOAA ^ | 22 September 2005 | NHC - NOAA

[NautiNurse]

Extremely dangerous Category Four Hurricane Rita continues to move toward landfall along the northwest Gulf of Mexico shoreline. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations continue across Texas and Louisiana coastal areas. Lake Charles LA is providing evacuations by bus for residents who have no transportation.

Traffic gridlock in the greater Houston area was compounded by gasoline stations without fuel, long lines at those stations still carrying fuel, and record breaking temperatures on the first day of autumn.

Offshore drilling platforms and rigs, as well as oil refineries, petrochemical and natural gas plants are in the path of the storm. Wave heights recorded by buoy have exceeded 38 feet. The refineries threatened by Hurricane Rita are on higher ground than those affected by flooding from Katrina. As a result, speculation abounds regarding future prices for winter heating fuel and gasoline.

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
KPLC-TV Lake Charles KPLC Streaming
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 IV
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part III
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part II
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part I
Tropical Storm Rita
Tropical Depression 18

[justa-hairyape]

Some parts of Houston are on high ground and safe from the storm surge. People are probably better off there than trapped in a car on an Interstate.

According to the Houston City Flood Map linked in an earlier thread, the eastern side of Houston will surge flood from a Cat 5 and possibly from a Cat 4. There are also various low parts in town that will flood due to rain. These are areas that normally flood when it rains.

[Lemondropkid31]

I dont know. It says that I dont have permission to enter the site. that is wierd because I WAS on it at first. Then I clicked on the home page and when I hit the back button, I got the forbidden message.

[conservative in nyc]

The contraflow is on I-45, not 1488. 1488 should theoretically be flowing in both directions. I-45 will not be.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Diddle, fatima's right..

[Lemondropkid31]

Ok I will try that

[PhiKapMom]

No I am not but my best friend lives in Galveston -- I heard from her just a short time ago as she is on her way to our house with her son and his fiance. She was in traffic for hours and just started moving much quicker. She saw some of the fuel trucks providing gas and people picking up other people.

She hopes to be here in about four hours and she left behind everything she has except what they put in their car along with their dog. But I guess she and her family don't matter that she thinks the State of Texas is doing a great job of getting people out and helping those stranded along the roadside.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

Thanx. My apologies for bein' a hyper-sensitive idjit.

[VeniVidiVici]

Loved the Western Skies Steak House.

OMG! Someone else that's been there? I had the best steak of my life at that place. As big as the plate and at least an inch thick. Guys I went to lunch with said they'd buy it if I ate it all.

They called me "Lunchbox" after that ;-)

I may head back there. Is it still around I wonder?

My inlaws were headed toward Austin from Houston, then gave up and went back home.

Looks like I may have to head on out there after this is over.

[Lemondropkid31]

Yay! It worked. Thanks

[KingKongCobra]

>> Under "State Of Emergency", shoot on sight.
In Texas, can't y'all do that about any time anyway?
<<

"Not without having to drag them into the house. Under a state of emergency, we can just leave them where they fall. Makes it more convenient."

Whoa! this is so wrong. In fact, this is the ONLY thing that will get you in trouble. Leave them where they lie. If they were up to no good, you'll be fine. Never, ever, mess with the evidence - ever. It makes your entire story suspect if you start moving the body.

[Lemondropkid31]

Oh! Ok. I misunderstood somebody earlier. Whew!!! I was getting nervous. I am already nervous just having to be on the roads!!!

[tcrlaf]

<<< Some of the state agencies made major mistakes with the gas shortage>>>>

Don't panic....

This is the biggest and fastest evacuation in Human History....

And unlike New Orleans, they still have 18 hrs+ to sort it out...

No one in Texas had to wait 18 hours for Advice, or 24 hours to "Think About It", and the adults are in charge...

[Brad’s Gramma]

Go feeger. Well!

Good...now bookmark it or sumthin'! ;)

[Petronski]

Thanx. My apologies for bein' a hyper-sensitive idjit.

I don't think you were hyper-sensitive.

(ducking and running...)

[Lemondropkid31]

LOL! Ok :O)

[Lemondropkid31]

I am going to go outside and see if it still smells like rain.

[sonsofliberty2000]

You mean the bloody buses aren't under water?! That evil evil fool Bush! First he trys to kill 1000's of blacks in New Orleans, then starts global warming on Mars, and now he is allowing Houston to use their buses as a slight to NOLA!

The hate monger...

[Brad’s Gramma]

:)

Sometimes I wish Algore would've taken the time to write down all the little bugs in his eeenternet and how to work around them!

[BurbankKarl]

Of course it smells like rain...hahaha

[Spktyr]

Actually, we still have about 24-26 hours left before landfall, and more than 20 before the nasty effects start hitting Houston. Galveston is already empty of everyone but emergency personnel and those who stay with them.