| This thread has been locked, it will not receive new replies. |
|
Locked on 09/24/2005 10:02:57 AM PDT by Admin Moderator, reason:
Thread VIII: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1490587/posts |
Posted on 09/23/2005 8:01:35 PM PDT by NautiNurse
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:
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
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 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
Shallow water is easier to upwell, less heat content. If the storm is crawling, it will weaken. If not, it feeds off the surface temp just like any other water source.
Hey, the antics are keeping us watching FNC so whatever works.
I agree. One of these days, a reporter is going to get hurt and they will stop them from standing out in these things.
That would be a good idea. Thanks.
I can;t take my eyes off Shep.
I know he's gonna get hit by a small animal or BMW or something.
I can't eat, go outside, use the rest room, I just can't look away.
Thats powerfull reporting.
Yes. And it seems to me that they get the worst of everything, wind, eyewall, storm surge... right in the northeast quadrant of the storm.
Speaking of Rita:
http://www.instapunk.com/
If I get a tree through my window I'll get back to you on how serious it is for me.
Well let's try to keep it in perspective. They have Directors/Producers that manage most of what they do in the interest of the network. They are valuable to them - even if you think in terms of it's expensive if they die, so they are watching their antics closely.
Is that the bridge the trucker was blown off of? On my gosh. I hate that bridge. I close my eyes until I get over the top. Maybe he was lower when he went over.
...Eye of major Hurricane Rita just a few hours from landfall near the Texas/Louisiana border... ...Strong winds and heavy rains battering southern Louisiana and southeastern Texas...
A Hurricane Warning remains in effect from Sargent Texas to Morgan City Louisiana. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should have already been completed.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the southeastern coast of Louisiana east of Morgan City to the mouth of the Pearl River... including metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain... and from south of Sargent Texas to Port Aransas Texas. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.
For storm information specific to your area...including possible inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued by your local weather office.
At 10 PM CDT...0300z...the center of Hurricane Rita was located near latitude 29.1 north... longitude 93.2 west or about 55 miles... 90 km... southeast of Sabine Pass along the Gulf Coast at the Texas/Louisiana border.
Rita is moving toward the northwest near 12 mph... 19 km/hr. This general motion is expected to continue until landfall. A gradual turn toward the north-northwest is expected on Saturday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 120 mph...195 km/hr...with higher gusts. Rita is a dangerous category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Little change in strength is expected prior to landfall. Gradual weakening is expected after Rita moves inland.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 85 miles...140 km... from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 205 miles...335 km. A wind gust to 74 mph was recently reported at Lake Charles Louisiana.
Estimated minimum central pressure is 931 mb...27.49 inches.
Coastal storm surge flooding of 15 feet above normal tide levels... locally up to 20 feet at head of bays and nearby rivers...with large and dangerous battering waves...can be expected near and to the east of where the center makes landfall. Tides are currently running about 2 feet above normal along the Louisiana...Mississippi and Alabama coasts in the areas affected by Katrina. Tides in those areas will increase to 4 to 6 feet and be accompanied by large waves... and residents there could experience coastal flooding. Large swells generated by Rita will likely affect most portions of the Gulf Coast.
Since Rita is expected to slow down during the next few days... rainfall totals of 10 to 15 inches are expected over eastern Texas and western Louisiana. Maximum rainfall totals in excess of 25 inches could occur over localized areas. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches with isolated heavier totals are possible over southeastern Louisiana including metropolitan New Orleans.
Isolated tornadoes are possible tonight...Saturday...and Saturday night over far eastern Texas...Louisiana...southern Arkansas...and Mississippi.
Repeating the 10 PM CDT position...29.1 N... 93.2 W. Movement toward...northwest near 12 mph. Maximum sustained winds...120 mph. Minimum central pressure... 931 mb.
Intermediate advisories will be issued by the National Hurricane Center at midnight CDT and 2 am CDT followed by the next complete advisory at 4 am CDT.
Forecaster Knabb
$$
See ya. Thanks!
NWS says that the rumor of a 5.0 earthquake in the Gulf are unfounded, and no Tsunami is coming...
.
Why would people be in the building but more importantly, how would CNN know? There are several beautiful old homes in Galveston.
Lousiana is getting a hurricane. I haven't seen the governor, she needs to exhibit her leadership skills. I will feel so inspired.
It's Calcasieu ...(I think...lol)
"reporter in Nassau bay was told to move away from the water because she might get picked up and thrown in the water. "
Well, it might improve the coverage if that happened, but Clear Lake does NOT deserve to have a reporter inflicted upon it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
