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Locked on 09/22/2005 3:40:46 AM PDT by Jim Robinson, reason:
New thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1489163/posts |
Posted on 09/21/2005 4:19:11 PM PDT by NautiNurse
Extremely dangerous and large Category Five Hurricane Rita is churning westward across the Gulf of Mexico toward Texas. Air Force Reconnaissance indicated the central pressure has dropped to 904mb, making Rita the fifth most intense hurricane ever in the Atlantic Basin.
Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches have been issued from Northern Mexico through the South Louisiana coastline. Galveston TX used school buses to evacuate residents. Mandatory and voluntary evacuations are in effect along the Texas coastline.
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
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Texas
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Louisiana
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)
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
KHOU Houston
KTRK ABC News Houston
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 II
Hurricane Rita Live Thread, Part I
Tropical Storm Rita
Tropical Depression 18
check your fr mail!
Unfortunately, with the traffic here, I'd get about six miles. Oh man.
I didn't realize Camille and Mitch were a tie. Thanks for the info.
As I heard someone say on Hannity today, if it would hook left and hit Kennedy County it would run into more cows than people. Sorry for those good people in Kennedy County but it would be good if it turned from so much population. My Aggie said College Station is an evacuation sight and it seems that things are hopping. The football game is going to be Thursday nite instead of Saturday. Classes cancelled for Friday. She is coming home to high ground in West Texas!
You're pretty much set then. The rule of thumb is about 1.5 gallons per person per day with the temps you guys have been getting (maybe a bit more).
Count me in. (... especially in the gun department...)
And I thought I knew quite a bit. Thanks for the lesson.
OMG, you're in Texas??? In the path of this storm?
Now I will walk the floors.
I worked north of Houston today. Driving home I saw the almost gridlock of those getting out. Yikes!
I may get windows busted out, but I don't fear for my life. If I did, I would be gone. I am far enough inland to make it.
Back then, we just wouldn't know what was about to hit us...
Us to. I just pick up my very first shotgun today. Yes, I know how to use it. My DH and father are both hunters. =)
Neither do I! Miracle Whip is much better!
To those of you that do not understand why some aren't on the road, I lived in League City during Alicia. We hunkered down because we could not get out due to traffic, turned around and went home to prepare to ride her out. I have friends that did get out and swear they spent 48 hours on I-45 and wished they'd stayed home. They have built more highways since then; so the situation should be improved but fleeing a hurricane can be a nightmare. You have to have lived it to comprehend the insanity of it all, I think.
Nasty storm up there, I was just looking at that..
I wished for rain, now the forecast might call for more than the 8" we were short if Rita stalls at DFW!
Some wise FReeper reminded me to be careful what I wish for 2 days ago...
They were right.
are you going to get on topic or not?
Please see my flood zone map in #455 if you are in the Houston environs and MAKE SURE you are not in a flood-potential area.
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