Rita just went Cat 5!

[Talking Hands]

Look at the cone and prepare if your are anywhere in that cone and to the right or left of it since it is a big storm. Even if you aren't in the cone you may experience hurricane force winds if it veers to the right or left.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good wishes and prayers are with all of the folks in the path. Hopefully it will lose a bit of its punch as it arrives. Sure has been a tough year.

 

[MinnieM3]

I'm so sorry for all of you who will be affected.
Please take care and good luck!

 

[Virgo10]

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Packed but not sure if we're going. We live in southwest Houston. We're not under a mandatory evacuation but do live in a 100 year flood zone. We've never had flooding in the house - only in the street. I think wind damage may be more of a problem.

Please pray for those in the storm's path

We are considered to not be in a flood zone.

For Ophelia--we were under Tropical storm warning and it was no big deal.

Chrissy K just posted what happened from when one of the feeder bands of Rita passed over us and we are on the east coast of Florida. Her street was completely flooded and she saw a vehicle that tried to drive through actually start floating (somehow got control of the vehicle though).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=917123

I think she's going to be a VERY wet storm. This didn't happened with Ophelia who rained on us for 2 days.

Also--remember with Katrina...people who were not flooded by Camille stayed, and Katrina paid no attention to where Camille stopped the last time and flooded them.

If you are thinking maybe you might leave...I would go ahead and do it. I think Rita is going to be much more than about the wind .

Please stay safe!

 

[llij]

Holy Moly! Rita turned into a monster very quickly. You all will be in my prayers. Stay safe!

 

[chrissyk]

We are considered to not be in a flood zone.

For Ophelia--we were under Tropical storm warning and it was no big deal.

Chrissy K just posted what happened from when one of the feeder bands of Rita passed over us and we are on the east coast of Florida. Her street was completely flooded and she saw a vehicle that tried to drive through actually start floating (somehow got control of the vehicle though).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=917123

I think she's going to be a VERY wet storm. This didn't happened with Ophelia who rained on us for 2 days.

Also--remember with Katrina...people who were not flooded by Camille stayed, and Katrina paid no attention to where Camille stopped the last time and flooded them.

If you are thinking maybe you might leave...I would go ahead and do it. I think Rita is going to be much more than about the wind .

Please stay safe!

Actually, 2 vans ended up floating. The second one was a custom van pulling a work trailer. The people opened the doors (to let water IN?), and then were able to back out. Bizarre.

Anyways, this storm dumped a LOT of water on us in a short timeframe, and that was only from an outer band. We are definitely not in a flood zone here, either. The hurricaines that hit this area last year apparently did not do this kind of flooding. This is going to be a very wet storm

 

[hercamore]

Yes, saw weather channel was reporting a Cat 5!

Good luck to you all.

herc.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Wow the 5:00 discussion isn't out yet (yes it comes out to weather sources BEFORE 5:00). This is one complex storm.

Edited: Okay here it is.

Hurricane Rita Discussion Number 17


Statement as of 5:00 PM EDT on September 21, 2005



and yet another category five hurricane this season. Data from both
NOAA and Air Force hurricane hunters indicate a significant
pressure drop today and winds have increased to 145 knots. This is
based on a 700 mb wind of 161 knots recently measured by an Air
Force plane and a recalibrated SFMR surface wind of 146 knots.
Satellite intensity estimates were unanimously 140 knots from all
agencies. Because Rita will be crossing an area of high heat
content during the next 12 to 24 hours...it is expected that the
hurricane will maintain its strength. Thereafter...the ocean heat
content is not as high and the intensity changes will be controlled
mainly by eyewall replacement cycles and decreasing heat content.
Some weakening is anticipated but Rita is forecast to make landfall
as a major hurricane...at least category three.
There has been no change in the steering pattern and Rita is moving
westward or 275 degrees at 11 knots. The high pressure system that
has been forcing Rita westward is forecast to weaken and shift
eastward. This will allow the hurricane to turn gradually toward
the west-northwest and northwest during the next day or two. The
core of Rita is basically moving toward the Texas coast and this is
consistent with the track model consensus.
The wind field associated with the hurricane has begun to expand
and tropical storm force winds already extend about 150 N mi in the
northern semicircle. Because additional expansion of the wind
field is anticipated...a Hurricane Watch and a tropical storm watch
have been issued for the northwest Gulf Coast.

Forecaster Avila

forecast positions and Max winds

initial 21/2100z 24.4n 86.8w 145 kt
12hr VT 22/0600z 24.5n 88.5w 145 kt
24hr VT 22/1800z 25.2n 90.6w 145 kt
36hr VT 23/0600z 26.0n 92.7w 135 kt
48hr VT 23/1800z 27.0n 94.5w 125 kt
72hr VT 24/1800z 30.5n 97.0w 65 kt...inland
96hr VT 25/1800z 33.0n 97.0w 30 kt...inland
120hr VT 26/1800z 36.0n 96.0w 25 kt...inland


$$

 

[Shelby5514]

For those of you evacuating, drive safely!

 

[RadioNate]

Uuuuuggggghhhhhhhhhhh

that's all I have to say. We bought extra water. I should get extra propane for the grill, we are almost out.

A lot of people are coming here to SA. Just an FYI to anyone planing on coming to SA shelters. Check for the Red Cross/Salvation Army run shelters is at McCreless Mall, there will be directions and info on I37, I35 and U.S. 87 roadway signs. You'll then be directed to one of the Katrina shelters. The city is expecting short term stays and that people will be able to return to the coast after the storm passes.

We expect flooding here in SA. We have a lot of low lying areas and creeks that flood with normal heavy rain. Of course I'm sure we will still have people who try to cross the high water and we'll have a big mess dealing with that.

Of course DH will be at work the entire time so I'm glad that my dad is flying in today. I'm also really glad I canceled my reservations in Corpus for the weekend.

 

[KathyTX]

Hurry up this way, y'all! And drive carefully...

 

[Kitty 34]

Wow!! I can't believe how fast it went to a Cat 5!!! Stay safe everyone or actualy GO somewhere else and then stay safe!!

 

[lovehoney]

We are considered to not be in a flood zone.

For Ophelia--we were under Tropical storm warning and it was no big deal.

Chrissy K just posted what happened from when one of the feeder bands of Rita passed over us and we are on the east coast of Florida. Her street was completely flooded and she saw a vehicle that tried to drive through actually start floating (somehow got control of the vehicle though).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=917123

I think she's going to be a VERY wet storm. This didn't happened with Ophelia who rained on us for 2 days.

Also--remember with Katrina...people who were not flooded by Camille stayed, and Katrina paid no attention to where Camille stopped the last time and flooded them.

If you are thinking maybe you might leave...I would go ahead and do it. I think Rita is going to be much more than about the wind .

Please stay safe!

Thanks for the advice and link. I just showed my husband Chrissy K's street. We were planning on going to Austin, but one of the posters who lives in Round Rock (north of Austin) said they are expecting it bad as well. This storm is so big!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Yes Cat 5 is crazy, yes Rita may strengthen some more, especially since she won't be going through an eyewall replacement cycle anytime soon and will be going through very warm waters, BUT there are some cooler waters ahead and it should bring her intestity down somewhat. There are still a couple of days left, the intensity forecast can change, the track can change. Just keep making your preparations and keep track of the storm.

 

[nwdisgal]

To all on DIS who are affected by this, could be affected, or have family in that area Please stay safe.

 

[ElizK]

Ft Worth hasn't issued any of the warnings that Austin has been given. Hadn't even occured to me that we might need to stock up on water, etc. I'll be getting right on that. I did fill up my gas tank today, more because gas will be super expensive again after Rita is finished.

I have a number of family members (cousins/aunts/uncles) that live in the Houston area, one of them on Galveston island. Good heavens. We might be having house guests this weekend! That's a great way to get to know the cousins, right???

Stay safe, all! I'm praying for the people in the coastal areas tht will get the brunt of this monster.

 

[dturner]

I just hope that Austin and Dallas are far enough if this thing stays strong and stays on its path. There's tons of people in Dallas from Louisiana and Gulf Coast Texas. It's so strange.

I hear ya Planogirl and thinking the same thing - my boss' wife called around 2 and said local weather said the eye is going to pass just a little east of I35 - that doesn't sound good to me.

 

[RadioNate]

Ok here's the latest from SA. If it hits Corpus, SA will likely get hurricane force winds, if it hits between houston and SA (the port lavaca area) Austin will get it and the worst cast would be Houston/Galveston. Our local weather person isn't sure the seawall there can contain a storm surge from a cat 4 or 5.

 

[WDWHound]

Thanks for the advice and link. I just showed my husband Chrissy K's street. We were planning on going to Austin, but one of the posters who lives in Round Rock (north of Austin) said they are expecting it bad as well. This storm is so big!

I was probably that poster. We expect high winds (Likely Tropical storm force) and loss of power, but it should be OK. Its certainly gonna be better here than on the coast. The problem is that there are no hotel rooms in Williamson or Travis county. I would head up to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. There should still be hotel rooms there.

One more thing, I suggest you leave now. The roads are already start to jam up with folks heading north. The good news is that lots of people are taking this serious. The bad news is that it will taking longer to drive north with all of them on the road.