Have had on local Austin news/weather. Rita is being pulled west, rather than veering north, right into the Galveston/Houston area due to weather. Seems there was a high pressure sytem in central Texas that would have given some protection. However, the high pressure system has moved to the east and a smaller portion of it has moved to the southwest forming a path between which is pulling Rita right through.
We're supposed to have 75 mph winds Friday evening and Saturday. Went to Walmart yesterday and there are empty spaces on the shelves. Austin tv said bottled water went in 4 minutes and people weren't waiting for it to be stocked. HEB (grocery store) says they'll be getting more shipments of water so not to worry. Topped of the gas at $2.58 but this morning sounds like gas is going to go to $5.00.
I just thank God it's hitting on the weekend - kids and hubby home. We'll check the yard and lakefront area today, but think it'll be better to leave the boat in the lift rather than trailer it. We'll be on the dry side of Rita so don't think we'll flood - if any flooding, it'll be days after the storm. We lose electricity at the drop of a hat so the pantry is always stocked and I have an attic full of water containers to fill every time we suspect flooding or storms so no worries there.
Friends are moving out their horses and livestock. Weekenders are coming in for quick checks of their docks and heading back out of town to their homes to hunker down.
Forget the water, I think that you are supposed to load up on Nikes and plasma TV sets.
Stay safe.