Posted on 09/24/2005 9:58:36 AM PDT by Howlin
Hurricane Rita landfall is anticipated within the next few hours. Strong winds and heavy rains are battering southern Louisiana and southeastern Texas.
MSM news crews are shouting over the howling winds as they foolishly describe blowing rain, swaying trees, and crashing waves through rain splattered camera lenses. It's a hurricane. We know these things already.
An 18 wheeler rig reportedly overturned on an I-10 bridge. The fate of the truck driver is unknown at this time. Reports of widespread power outages in Lake Charles. KPLC-TV Lake Charles local news has remarkably improvised their reporting from a remote location. They are taking calls from residents, NWS, and public utility representatives, and alerting residents to local conditions.
On the flip side, CNN announced to the world that law enforcement officers had evacuated from Port Arthur TX with the rest of the population. Engraved looter invitations would have been more elegant.
Godspeed to all those in the path of this storm.
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
Jefferson Co TX NWS Weather
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:
Lake Charles Long Range Radar Still image, with loop link
Houston/Galveston Long Range Radar Still image, with loop link
Lake Charles Experimental Radar Outages and Delays May Occur
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
KPRC-TV/DT Houston
KTRK-TV/DT Houston
KTRH-AM Houston
KPLC-TV/DT Lake Charles/Lafayette
KSLA-TV/DT Shreveport
Additional Resources:
Hurricane Rita Freeper CHECK IN THREAD
FReeper Sign In Thread (LOCKED) 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
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 VII
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part VI
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part V
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
Like that'd be new and different for some of those folks. They just wanted some sort of assurance that what they are entitled to would continue. /so
You pegged her!
"You can do it"!
And what happens after 6 months?
Fact is we taxpayers have been paying for housing for a lot of these people for a long time.
Most homeowners insurance covers living expenses if you are displaced.
I have a 35 foot 5th wheel I would make Blanco a heck of a deal on.
Actually, I think I will just rent it to sixty or seventy illegals.
I think we should invest in the trailer industry.
Do you have a link to any pictures? I have been wanting to see this.
ooooohh....A freepers Cruise....now that would be fun!!!
It would be the perfect atmosphere to get to know people, a laid back unhurried type of vacation.
I envy ya'lls friendships here on FR...I am close to only my first anniversary here...and I am still learning about all the neat stuff that happened here before I joined.
BUT, I will say that 99% of the freepers have been very nice and have made me feel "invited and involved" even when it is/was apparent that I am/was a newbie!!
Finally ......now get the leash back on yer junkyard dog Eaker. He's been barking and biting the help here all day !....:o)
I haven't been to an auction yet...I haven't gotten up the nerve..or saved up enough money...LOL
Oh, you MUST go to one. I went to my first by myself and learned real quick what to do. You'll have FUN. Some stuff goes for as little as $10.
I finally have lights and AIR CONDITIONING! I'm in Lafayette and there was a lot of rain and tropical storm level winds but we fared well here. I havent had a chance to check on my house personally but did hear that the house faired very well, I did lose a tree and a car but the house is fine. We can't go back into calcasieu parish until further notice though but I have prepared for the long haul.
I am assuming after 6 months, they better have a job...but then could apply for low-interest loans...or whatever.
I know Pres. Bush was talking about homesteading on some of the land...but you still have to pay for the house, which requires a job and a good credit rating..
I really don't know what happens after six months really---and I bet no one else does either...this situation is a new and hugh undertaking.
On 9/11 there was a tremendous loss of life, and damage to structures and shock to a nation's psyche...but, there wasn't a massive loss of jobs, housing, and businesses...and land that would require possibly months of work done, just to begin rebuilding.
Why isn't it okay in this country for a POTUS, NOT to have all of the answers the second something "new" happens??
Why isn't it okay for any Americans to have to be less than comfortable for more than a few hours, without blaming it on someone else...which inevitably ends up as Bush's fault??
Why aren't Americans held accountable for the mistakes THEY make in these situations...like not evacuating..not planning ahead, even though there is a week notice that something is more than likely going to happen???
Why don't people in America believe in "delayed gratification" anymore??? It is a microwave society...and if someone perceives the YOU are slowing things down....heaven help you, you are likely to get lashed out at!!
Dang...I just heard on my local news in Dallas..that a 2 year old little girl, whose family evacuated up here from Houston, drowned in a hotel swimming pool today!!!!
Sigh....
went on two of them.....WOnderful time.....WIll send you to the threads tomorrow, if you remind me....Good night for now.
$10?!!!! I got some of my favorite stuff for 10 cents.
One of my fav things I got for $2. An old chalkware Nativity set.
Last auction we went with our friend who is a antique dealer and also has done extensive work on our VICTORIAN house. There was this GORGEOUS Victorian settee upholstered in apple green velvet. I remarked to our friend that this piece was so beautiful (thinking how perfect it would go in my pink and green living room) and he says "It's broken" I said that I hadn't noticed anything wrong with it and he says "It's in the back where two pieces of wood meet. They always crack at the same spot" So of course I'm bummed but, oh well.
So the piece comes up for bids and who's hand pops up? Our dealer friend. And he wins it for a mere $165!!! Soon as he wins, he turns to me, smiles and says "I was just kidding you".
Never trust ANYONE......not even your Grandmother at an auction! lol
I think 'over the water' and 'on the water' are similar, but not exactly the same. You are saying 'over the water' when you seem to mean 'on the water.'
To me, over the water means I see a reflection in the water of the sun as it sets even though there might be a land mass on the horizon. While on the water means reflection of the sunset in the water with no land mass on the horizon. If you quoted Geraldo correctly, then he got it right, IMO.
It seems a petty quibble you have with Geraldo on this one when I'm sure there are better things to quibble with Geraldo about. It's so petty that I'll make this my last post on the matter.
Take care, fellow FReeper!
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