Hurricane Rita...down to cat 4

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Possible Tracks:

 

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From the Nationa Hurricane Center:

the New Official Intensity Forecast Is Adjusted Upward And
Is A Blend Between The Ships And Gfdl Guidance Through Day 3...and
Shows Rita Reaching Category Two Status Before Reaching The Gulf Of
Mexico. There Is A Slight Possibility It Could Strengthen Faster
Than Forecast. All Indications Are That Rita Will Become A Major
Hurricane Over The Gulf Of Mexico... Where A Large Upper Level
Anticyclone Is Forecast By The Models To Dominate And Provide A
Weak Shear Environment.

 

[golfgal]

And it is headed right for Houston now, so not only does Houston have it's own problems, they have so many people from NO still. Let's hope that Rita does an about face and heads back out to sea away from land!

 

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From the 8pm NHC advisory:

STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 6 TO 9 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...ALONG
WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...ARE POSSIBLE IN THE
FLORIDA KEYS IN AREAS OF ONSHORE FLOW. COASTAL STORM SURGE
FLOODING OF 3 TO 5 FEET IS POSSIBLE ALONG THE EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN
FLORIDA COAST...AND IN THE NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS.

 

[minkydog]

And it is headed right for Houston now, so not only does Houston have it's own problems, they have so many people from NO still. Let's hope that Rita does an about face and heads back out to sea away from land!

Sorry,but once a tropical storm enters the Gulf of Mexico it has no choice but ot hit land. I just pray for everyone affected--it's just not fair

 

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This from a Houston television station:

GALVESTON -- Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas announced a voluntary evacuation of the island beginning Tuesday at 2 p.m.

The island has been told to expect a Category 3 storm, but officials are preparing for a Category 4 -- just in case.

Current projections say Texas is the most likely target of Rita after it brushes past Florida.

"The forecast takes it into the Gulf of Mexico ... the storm could easly strengthen into a major hurricane," says 11 News meteorologist David Paul. "The best guess right now from the Hurricane Center takes the storm right into the Galveston area."

For the first time, city and county leaders have the authority to call for a mandatory evacuation if it becomes necessary.


At least they are not waiting to evacuate and getting a jump on things now.

 

[MagicKingdom05]

This is why I love living in Chicago. Sure we go through 4 months of cold every year and lots of snow, but atleast we don't have to worry about hurricanes.

Please if you are in the path of the Hurricane, play it safe and get out, don't do what so many did in NO and lost there lives because they wouldn't leave.

 

[serenity1991]

Sorry,but once a tropical storm enters the Gulf of Mexico it has no choice but ot hit land. I just pray for everyone affected--it's just not fair

I hate so say it....but I agree with you.

Here's another track of Hurricane Rita

 

[sleepyone]

Uuuggghhh!!! I live in Houston and am going to get some supplies but, plan on evacuating to a hotel somewhere further from the coast here in TX. I'm so tired.

 

[Talking Hands]

So Dade, Florida is already getting occasional bands of wind and rain from Rita. Going to be a rough night.

 

[Sneaky3]

I live in Miami Dade it is windy but so far it has been okay. Hurricane season can be stressful but this is what I have to deal with to live here...

 

[4greatboys]

We live right by Galveston. If it goes according to those charts it will be a direct hit for us.
There really is no place for us to go to locally during an evacuation since evey place is already filled. They are saying we need to head out towards Huntville, Brenham and several other towns that are about a 2 hour drive from the city.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

OK...so how what is going to happen in Dallas MetroPlex? I am going to guess high winds, lots of rain?
How long do these things last?

 

[Shutterbug]

OK...so how what is going to happen in Dallas MetroPlex? I am going to guess high winds, lots of rain?
How long do these things last?

If it follows that track, Dallas will have lots of rain and with all hurricanes when they come in land...high probability of tornadoes.

 

[Shutterbug]

We live right by Galveston. If it goes according to those charts it will be a direct hit for us.
There really is no place for us to go to locally during an evacuation since evey place is already filled. They are saying we need to head out towards Huntville, Brenham and several other towns that are about a 2 hour drive from the city.

So will you be leaving or try to ride it out?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If it follows that track, Dallas will have lots of rain and with all hurricanes when they come in land...high probability of tornadoes.

Makes me warm and fuzzy...THERE ARE NO BASEMENTS HERE!!!

 

[Planogirl]

We live right by Galveston. If it goes according to those charts it will be a direct hit for us.
There really is no place for us to go to locally during an evacuation since evey place is already filled. They are saying we need to head out towards Huntville, Brenham and several other towns that are about a 2 hour drive from the city.

DH has family in Hitchcock and Bayou Vista which of course are just over the causeway. We used to live in Webster and we were always ready to run. We figured out that going just to the north of Houston would be good enough for a category four and below.

Of course, Alicia spawned tons of tornadoes in San Antonio which is quite far away from the coast so you just never really know.

 

[schnerk]

Man,

The good news is that we are leaving the Austin area on Thursday for Orldando and our first family trip to WDW. The bad news is that it looks like the storm will cause Thunderstorms in Orlando for the majority of our trip.

 

[4greatboys]

So will you be leaving or try to ride it out?

Im not really sure yet. Right now we are just watching the progress of the storm.

 

[Shutterbug]

Special 9:15am Update from NHC:

DOPPLER RADAR DATA...SATELLITE PRESENTATION AND PRESSURE FALLS FROM
THE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT RITA HAS REACHED CATEGORY
ONE HURRICANE STRENGTH ON THE SAFFIR/SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE. THIS
WILL BE REFLECTED ON THE 11 AM...1500Z ADVISORY.