Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part IV

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

[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

[NautiNurse]

Wind gusts to 212mph got my attention, along with the recent report of sustained winds of 170mph. Then again, I live in hurricane alley. Maybe that's the difference.

[Help!]

My son is on I-10 just past the Parker Cypruss exit. Said he's gone about 100 yards in the last 30 minutes. Trying to get to San Antonio. Does anyone know any good back roads?

[U S Army EOD]

Walking out now would beat swimming out later.

[kms61]

My guess is that the warmer water comes up from the Carribean into the southern gulf.

[Sender]

I suspect that for most modern houses, the difference between 175mph and 150mph is academic.

[Warren_Piece]

I just planted my 6'6" Masai spear in the front flower bed

Are you sure you want something like that outside in 150 mph winds?

[johnb838]

I called my boss and he said "don't be an idiot."

Don't get stuck on stupid, son.

[Peach]

An absolutely monster storm.

[Sender]

Dang, Rita is as big as Texas! That's a whole lotta rain.

[wolfcreek]

59 south was the only hiway not congested early this morning but, I doubt it's much better.

[spycatcher]

Hubby stuck on stupid? You can try to fly first and if not able to, then rent a high mileage car so you don't run out of gas.

[texianyankee]

From Texas A&M University:

Notices For Friday Classes and Football Game

Classes are cancelled Friday, A&M President Robert M. Gates said at a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

Changes have been brought on by the onset of Hurricane Rita, a Category 5 hurricane, thought to hit close to the Bryan-College Station area Friday evening or Saturday.

Gates said classes and university offices will re-open on Monday, though students should check the schools Web site for updates throughout the weekend.

The football game against Texas State University has been moved to Thursday at 7:30 p.m. but will be televised.

We are holding this game primarily for the students, and if you do not live in Bryan and College Station, stay home, Gates said.

The Battalion

[johnb838]

If you're ALREADY at 290 and Barker Cypress you're pretty danged far from the hurricane anyway aren't you? Aren't you more than halfway to Brenham? I think there are arguments both for your side and your husband's. I would NOT try to get to the airport. I doubt you'd make it.

Try not to stress too much, dear. You're in a pretty good position either way.

[No Truce With Kings]

" Anyone with guesstimations of a trip from League City to Trinity?"

I have often made that drive when I moved from Palestine to League City. Until the house in Palestine was sold, every Friday I'd leave work at noon, and drive up to my family. With good traffic through Houston I would pass Trinity about 3 hours after leaving my place in League City. With bad traffic through Houston it could take six hours.

Today? It is going to be bad traffic through Houston driving until you get to Huntsville. If she gets there before noon today, you should be pleasantly surprised. Don't even start worrying until 4:00 pm because it could take that long.

As for me? We left Wednesday for relatives in the Hill Country. First time in my life I have literally headed for the hills.

[steveegg]

Meanwhile, the DemonRATs suffered another setback - Afghanistan proud after largely peaceful vote

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Are you sure you want something like that outside in 150 mph winds?

My Dear Friend it seems all the smart people in Tennessee came to Texas some years ago ;-)ROFL!

I intend to take it in by night fall and given that it has a point on the end opposite the spear head allowing one to drive it into the ground about a foot, and is not very big around, it would stay put in a fairly strong wind.

Now quit bothering me and go pray for us!!

[Flyer]

Don't go out alone.

90% of the gas stations are out of gas.

[#1CTYankee]

"Fox news has been reporting this a.m. that there are gusts up to 212mph with sustained winds at 170-something. Only time will tell."

I hear ya.
Stay safe, prayers all around.

[dixie sass]

You've got to be kidding. What the h does he know about hurricanes? As far as I know he's never lived in the south or gulf areas. Geeze...

[LikeLight]

Latest sat image shows more weakening (yes, probably just academic, because a weaker 5 causes essentially the same destruction as a stronger 5) but more importantly, the storm continues to edge more and more northward of the proposed track, almost like it really does want to go to New Orleans. I think our South Texas FReepers can start standing down, cause this thing wants to go north.