RITA: Cat 5 ...another one.

[KenpoEMT]

Apparently mother nature is running a 'blue-light special' on Cat-5 hurricanes this season.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCUAT3+shtml/211807.shtml?

000
WTNT63 KNHC 212351
TCUAT3
HURRICANE RITA TROPICAL CYCLONE UPDATE
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
650 PM CDT WED SEP 21 2005

...RITA BECOMES THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE ON RECORD...

DROPSONDE DATA FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT AT 623 PM CDT...2323Z...INDICATED THE CENTRAL PRESSURE HAS
FALLEN TO BELOW 899 MB...OR 26.55 INCHES. THE DROPSONDE INSTRUMENT
MEASURED 32 KT/35 MPH WINDS AT THE SURFACE...WHICH MEANS IT LIKELY
DID NOT RECORD THE LOWEST PRESSURE IN THE EYE OF RITA. THE CENTRAL
PRESSURE IS PROBABLY AT LEAST AS LOW AS 898 MB...AND PERHAPS EVEN
LOWER. FOR OFFICIAL PURPOSES... A PRESSURE OF 898 MB IS ASSUMED...
WHICH NOW MAKES RITA THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE IN TERMS OF
PRESSURE IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN. SOME ADDITIONAL DEEPENING AND
INTENSIFICATION IS POSSIBLE FOR THE NEXT 12 HOURS OR SO.

RITA CURRENTLY RANKS BEHIND HURRICANE GILBERT IN 1988 WITH 888 MB
AND THE 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE WITH 892 MB.

FORECASTER STEWART

http://thestormtrack.com/archives/2005/09/hurricane_rita_2.html

HURRICANE RITA REACHES CATAGORY 5

Looks to be tracking to the west of the path that ***** Katrina took.



This one doesn't look like a racist. (reference to thread: http://www.martialtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26752 )

http://thestormtrack.com/archives/2005/09/texas_evacuatio.html

mandatory evacuations declared

Bracing for the worst.
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT3+shtml/191507.shtml

000
WTNT43 KNHC 220311
TCDAT3
HURRICANE RITA DISCUSSION NUMBER 18
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
11 PM EDT WED SEP 21 2005

RITA HAS CONTINUED TO STRENGTHEN SINCE THE LAST ADVISORY. A
DROPSONDE IN THE EYE OF RITA AROUND 21/2309Z RECORDED A PRESSURE OF
899 MB WITH A SURFACE WIND OF 32 KT. ANYTHING BELOW 10 KT IS
USUALLY CONSIDERED A VALID PRESSURE. HOWEVER...THE GENERAL THUMB
RULE IS TO DECREASE THE PRESSURE 1 MB FOR EVERY 10 KT ABOVE THAT
WIND SPEED. IN THIS CASE... RITA'S CENTRAL PRESSURE IS ESTIMATED TO
BE 897 MB...MAKING IT THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE IN TERMS OF
PRESSURE FOR THE ATLANTIC BASIN.

 

[Jonathan Randall]

I am freakin' floored by this. My hopes and prayers go out to the people of Texas. Even if it slows to a Cat 3 or even 2, the storm surge will have been created by it when it was a Category four or five.

Not to get political on you, but this is like a scene from "The Day After Tomorrow".

This is some scary, scary stuff. Are our MT Members from Texas evacuating? Seems we have enough in Texas, LA, and MS to consider setting up an MT fund or something.

 

[Bob Hubbard]

I've heard from a few members who are either moving out or helping family get out ahead of the storm.

As to setting up an MT Fund, due to some problems I saw a few other well meaning sites go through after trying to help out Katrina (Paypal seizing the cash for example) I'm not planning on doing anything official. But, if any of our members are in a position to help, I'm all for it. The Red Cross needs blood, and there are several legit organizations that are actively trying to assist. CNN has a list of groups at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/katrina/help.center/

My thoughts are with everyone in the Gulf area.

 

[Lisa]

I am freakin' floored by this. My hopes and prayers go out to the people of Texas. Even if it slows to a Cat 3 or even 2, the storm surge will have been created by it when it was a Category four or five.

Not to get political on you, but this is like a scene from "The Day After Tomorrow".

This is some scary, scary stuff. Are our MT Members from Texas evacuating? Seems we have enough in Texas, LA, and MS to consider setting up an MT fund or something.

I was thinking exactly the same thing...that thing is freakin huge.

I hope something happens and it loses some power before it hits land.

Good luck to everyone there.
:asian:

 

[shesulsa]

Oh Texas. Hang on.

 

[KenpoEMT]

this is like a scene from "The Day After Tomorrow".

I was thinking the exact same thing while I was posting.

Are our MT Members from Texas evacuating?

http://www.dot.state.tx.us/txdotnews/036-2005.htm

Transportation system prepared for threat of Hurricane Rita

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, September 21, 2005

AUSTIN – With Category 4 Hurricane Rita steadily moving toward the Texas coast Wednesday, the Texas Department of Transportation has begun executing its part of a pre-determined and well-practiced statewide emergency management plan.

"This plan, developed locally and coordinated statewide, is designed to ensure public safety before, during and after a hurricane," said TxDOT executive director Mike Behrens.

TxDOT has already identified and is positioning teams to respond after the hurricane strikes. In addition, the agency is using its messaging signs to direct traffic along the coast, particularly in the Galveston-Houston area.

"Our focus is simple," Behrens said. "We will provide the road to safety, we will clear the road to recovery and we will maintain the road home."

Ongoing or anticipated activities include:

• Local disaster officials are making decisions to implement previously determined transportation plans such as one-way flow, and closing or opening of certain roads/ramps as conditions warrant.
• TxDOT has dedicated three lanes, and if needed will add a fourth lane, for northbound traffic on Interstate 37 out of Corpus Christi.
• The department will be closing strategic ramps on I-45 in Houston later today to facilitate the northbound flow of traffic out of Galveston.
• Suspending operation of ferry service between Galveston Island and Port Bolivar effective at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
• TxDOT employees are working side by side with local emergency management officials to monitor and respond to local transportation needs.
• TxDOT's changeable message signs are being used to help direct traffic.
• TxDOT is also making sure department employees are in the right place and have the materials needed to quickly hit the roads as soon the worst of the hurricane passes to begin clearing highways of debris to allow emergency response to damaged areas. This preparation includes stocking up on fuel, generators, pumps and emergency communication devices such as satellite phones.
• Throughout the emergency, TxDOT will be updating its road conditions hotline (800-452-9292) and Web site, www.dot.state.tx.us.

At least the DOT sounds prepared.

Evacuations are planned to take place several days before RITA hits.
http://www.ci.league-city.tx.us/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=97

News Flash - Selected Mandatory evacuation to take place in Galveston County... 6:00 p.m. on Wed, Sept 21:
Galveston
Tiki Island
Bayou Vista
Kemah
Boliver
Bayview
Clear Lake Shores

2:00 a.m. on Thurs, Sept 22:
Texas City
LaMarque
Dickinson
Hitchcock
Santa Fe

12:00 p.m. on Thurs, Sept 22:
League City
Friendswood

Bear in mind that if you wait until Wed at 6:00 p.m. the following will be in effect: League City residents who live east of FM 270 will evacuate on 146 to Nacogdoches League City residents who live west of FM 270 will evacuate on I-45 to Huntsville

http://www.click2weather.com/weather/4997227/detail.html

Mandatory Evacuations Issued For Parts Of Houston

Call 311 Or (713) 837-0311 For Help Evacuating



POSTED: 12:54 pm CDT September 20, 2005
UPDATED: 5:57 pm CDT September 21, 2005


HOUSTON -- Harris County and Houston residents began leaving the Bayou City Wednesday after a mandatory evacuation order was issued for those in the storm surge zone and low-lying areas.

"We are asking all residents in the Houston area and the greater Houston area that are in the storm surge area for a hurricane of this force and above to begin making their evacuation plans," Houston Mayor Bill White said.

The evacuation was called for the following areas.

• Those in the storm surge areas (low-lying areas in the east and southeast as identified by evacuation zone maps).
• Those who live in mobile homes or other similar structures.

White said those residents must start leaving their homes at 6 a.m. Thursday. He also encouraged anyone living in areas prone to flooding to consider leaving.

He estimated that as many as 1 million people may eventually be evacuated from coastal areas and low-lying, flood-prone zones in the state's largest city.

In order to help with traffic, the mayor and county judge announced several freeway changes Wednesday afternoon.

Tolls on the Harris County toll road system have been suspended, so residents can use that as an evacuation route. Also, high-occupancy vehicle lanes on the major freeways will be open in the direction of the evacuation route and occupancy restrictions will be lifted.

As of 6 p.m., Wednesday, Interstate 45 exits to the main roadways, such as Loop 610 and Highway 59, will be closed until Huntsville.

Directional signs will be posted along the highways with instructions on shelters.

Residents can call 211, a statewide information system, to find details about shelters.

White also asked all employers to not have employees report to work on Thursday and Friday.

"(This should apply to) any but the essential personnel," he said. "We asking school districts not to have school on those days."

For a list of schools and school district closures, click here.

White also asked Houstonians to help those without transportation or with special needs to evacuate.

​

"We need citizens who may need assistance in evacuating to reach out to friends, family, relatives, neighbors. We need citizens to look at where there are needs in our community for those who may need assistance in evacuating in the storm surge areas and those areas that have been subject to flooding in the 100-year-flood plain and mobile homes," White said.

Those who do not have the means to evacuate and cannot find anyone to help should call 311 or (713) 837-0311.

Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday also urged voluntary evacuations.

Perry cautioned that Rita would "quite likely be a devastating storm," and urged people from Beaumont to Corpus Christi to leave Wednesday because waiting another day would be too late.

Margaret O'Brien-Molina, a Red Cross spokeswoman in Houston, said residents planning to stay in shelters should try to bring as much food and water as possible. She said an evacuation of the size now ordered could put a strain on resources in shelters.

She also encouraged anyone leaving their homes to pack supplies, including medicines, to last at least a week.

For more information on evacuation maps and routes, click here.

http://www.click2weather.com/weather/4940452/detail.html

Rita Strengthens, Heads Toward Texas Coast

Storm Carries Winds Of 175 MPH; Hurricane Watch Issued



UPDATED: 10:42 pm CDT September 21, 2005


HOUSTON -- Hurricane Rita is now a top-of-the-scale, "potentially catastrophic" Category 5 storm, packing winds of 175 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Forecasters said the storm could be the most intense hurricane on record to ever hit Texas. There's also concern that Rita, still about two days away from the Gulf Coast, could turn out to be one of the most powerful storms ever to strike the U.S. mainland.

Currently it's the third strongest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic basin.

A hurricane watch has been issued from Port Mansfield, Texas, to Cameron, La., and a tropical storm watch has been issued for east of Cameron to Grand Isle, La., and from south of Port Mansfield to Brownsville, Texas. A tropical storm watch is also in effect for the northeast coast of Mexico from Rio San Fernando northward.

Mandatory evacuation orders currently cover all of Galveston, Texas, low-lying sections of Houston and Corpus Christi, and a mostly empty New Orleans. In all, about 1 million people along the Gulf Coast have been told to get moving.

After this killer in New Orleans, Katrina, I just cannot fathom staying," 59-year-old Ldyyan Jean Jocque said before sunrise Wednesday as she waited for an evacuation bus outside the Galveston Community Center. She had packed her Bible, some music and clothes into plastic bags and loaded her dog into a pet carrier.• Click here to track Hurricane Rita.

A Category 5 hurricane is the highest on the scale, with winds above 155 mph and a storm surge usually greater than 18 feet above normal. It results in total roof failure on many houses and buildings and complete destruction of some other buildings and mobile homes

After getting pounded for its sluggish response to Katrina, the federal government is rushing hundreds of truckloads of water, ice and ready-made meals to the Gulf Coast and put rescue and medical teams on standby. FEMA has aircraft and buses available to evacuate residents of coastal areas.

FEMA should have responded like this for those souls in New Orleans.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,169984,00.html

Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency Director R. David Paulison (search) said during a press conference Wednesday afternoon that the federal Department of Transportation is mobilizing buses and ambulances to evacuate people.

The Defense Department is also mobilizing any useful forces it has to be on ready on a moment's notice.

"We've been in very close contact with the governor, with the state emergency managers, talking about their evacuation plans. They've got buses and other vehicles available for people who can't drive themselves out," Chertoff told FOX News Wednesday morning. "They're moving very early on the issue of evacuation and I'm hopeful people will take it very seriously this time."

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (search) said Wednesday that Rita would "quite likely be a devastating storm."

But, he added, "there is no need to panic. We've been preparing for this type of an event for a number of years."

A full evacuation of the coast would take at least 33 hours,

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas (search) said the Texas Department of Public Safety and National Guard were available to help following a storm.

"We are very sensitive to the storms here," she told FOX News. "Our communication with the state emergency management people is excellent."

She said during a press conference Wednesday that the inbound causeway into Galveston would be closed starting at 7 p.m. EDT. Thomas said pets should be transported in carriers displaying the animal's name and wear identifying collars.

"We're going to help you get out of the city," Thomas said. "If you choose not to leave, you're here at your own risk."

Along the Texas Gulf Coast, authorities rushed to get the old and infirm out of harm's way, three weeks after scores of sick and elderly nursing home patients in the New Orleans area drowned in Katrina's floodwaters or died in the stifling heat while waiting to be rescued.

In Galveston, the Edgewater Retirement Community, a six-story building situated near the city's seawall, began evacuating its more than 200 nursing home patients and independent retirees by chartered bus and ambulance.

"They either go with a family member or they go with us, but this building is not safe sitting on the seawall with a major hurricane coming," said David Hastings, executive director. "I have had several say, 'I don't want to go' and I said, 'I'm sorry, you're going.'"

I am actually hopeful that the goverment may have the situation under control. This is the kind of response that I would have expected for Katrina.

 

[arnisador]

Amazing.

Best wishes to all.

 

[KenpoEMT]

Photo by Kevin Bartram

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/productview.php?pil=TCMAT3

Public Advisory | Alt. link
Forecast Advisory | Alt. link
Discussion | Alt. link
Strike Probabilities | Alt. link


http://www.galvnews.com/wire.lasso?report=/dynamic/stories/R/RITA

Rita Could Be Strongest Storm to Hit Texas

By PAM EASTON
Associated Press Writer

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) -- Gaining strength with frightening speed, Hurricane Rita swirled toward the Gulf Coast a Category 5, 175-mph monster Wednesday as more than 1.3 million people in Texas and Louisiana were sent packing on orders from authorities who learned a bitter lesson from Katrina.

The U.S. mainland has never been hit by both a Category 4 and a Category 5 in the same season. Katrina, at one point became a Category 5 storm, weakened slightly to a Category 4 hurricane just before coming ashore.

Government officials eager to show they had learned their lessons from the sluggish response to Katrina sent in hundreds of buses to evacuate the poor, moved out hospital and nursing home patients, dispatched truckloads of water, ice and ready-made meals, and put rescue and medical teams on standby. An Army general in Texas was told to be ready to assume control of a military task force in Rita's wake.

Galveston, a city of 58,000 on a coastal island 8 feet above sea level, was the site of one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history: an unnamed hurricane in 1900 that killed between 6,000 and 12,000 people and practically wiped the city off the map.

The last major hurricane to strike the Houston area was Category-3 Alicia in 1983. It flooded downtown Houston, spawned 22 tornadoes and left 21 people dead.

Mayor Bill White urged residents to look out for more than themselves.

"There will not be enough government vehicles to go and evacuate everybody in every area," he said. "We need neighbor caring for neighbor."

City Manager Steve LeBlanc said the storm surge could reach 50 feet. Galveston is protected by a seawall that is only 17 feet tall. More than 180 police officers were expected to stay behind to guard the city, along with 117 firefighters.

Police Officers and Firefighters staying behind to guard the city...brave souls. God bless 'em.

Rita is the 17th named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, making this the fourth-busiest season since record-keeping started in 1851. The record is 21 tropical storms in 1933. The hurricane season ends Nov. 30.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/20/national/nationalspecial/20cnd-rita.html?8bl

Reuters

Havana's seafront boulevard of El Malecon was lashed by giant waves as the center of Hurricane Rita churned 60 miles away.

 

[Jonathan Randall]

I've heard from a few members who are either moving out or helping family get out ahead of the storm.

As to setting up an MT Fund, due to some problems I saw a few other well meaning sites go through after trying to help out Katrina (Paypal seizing the cash for example) I'm not planning on doing anything official. But, if any of our members are in a position to help, I'm all for it. The Red Cross needs blood, and there are several legit organizations that are actively trying to assist. CNN has a list of groups at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/katrina/help.center/

My thoughts are with everyone in the Gulf area.

Understood. I'll probably end up donating again through the large, well established orgs. Sometimes it's hard to tell if your donation is going exactly where you want it to go. Did the money I sent for Katrina aid end up helping Katrina victims - or did it buy a nice office chair for some paid administrator's behind to polish?

In any case, I pray our members are safe. I can't believe this _____ (MT rules regarding profanity prohibit me from finishing this statement).

 

[7starmantis]

Thqanks for the well wishes! I'll be on and off this weekend as most of my immediate and extended family are evacuating. I'm right in the path myself (Tyler, TX) but it shouldn't be too bad by the time it gets here. The many evacuees from N.O. and now these are causing huge problems in hotels, and gas stations. There are allready several stations out of gas here today!

7sm

 

[Blindside]

Looks like Rita has been downgraded to a Cat 4, so know it is ONLY 150 mph sustained winds.

Good luck 7starmantis. My sister is trying to get out of Houston as I write this, I don't think shes going to make it though, it sounds like roads are clogged.

Lamont

 

[KenpoEMT]

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT3+shtml/221455.shtml

000
WTNT43 KNHC 221455
TCDAT3
HURRICANE RITA DISCUSSION NUMBER 20
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
11 AM EDT THU SEP 22 2005

RITA APPEARS TO HAVE REACHED ITS PEAK INTENSITY DURING THE PAST
12 HOURS. HURRICANES TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN SUCH HIGH INTENSITY
FOR A LONG TIME. INITIAL INTENSITY ESTIMATE IS 145 KNOTS. ALTHOUGH
SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE LIKELY DURING THE NEXT DAY OR
TWO...DUE TO EYEWALL REPLACEMENT CYCLES...AN OVERALL GRADUAL
WEAKENING TREND SHOULD TAKE PLACE. THIS WEAKENING TREND IS BASED ON
LOWER OCEANIC HEAT CONTENT ALONG THE FORECAST TRACK AND INCREASING
SHEAR. NEVERTHERELESS...RITA IS EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL AS A
DANGEROUS HURRICANE OF AT LEAST A CATEGORY THREE INTENSITY.

RITA HAS BEEN MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST OR 295 DEGREES AT 8
KNOTS. A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM CURRENTLY CENTERED OVER
NORTHERN TEXAS/OKLAHOMA IS EXPECTED TO SHIFT EASTWARD ALLOWING RITA
TO TAKE A MORE NORTHWESTERLY AND NORTHERLY TRACK. THE EASTWARD
SHIFT OF THE HIGH IS FORECAST BY ALL GLOBAL MODELS...RESULTING IN
TRACK GUIDANCE CONSISTENTLY TURNING THE HURRICANE TOWARD THE
NORTHWEST AND NORTH TOWARD THE UPPER-TEXAS OR THE WESTERN LOUISIANA
COASTS. AFTER LANDFALL...STEERING CURRENTS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAKEN
AND THE CYCLONE COULD MEANDER FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IN THE VICINITY
OF NORTHEASTERN TEXAS...PRODUCING HEAVY RAINS.

BASED ON THE FORECAST TRACK AND WIND RADII...HURRICANE WARNINGS HAVE
BEEN ISSUED AT THIS TIME FROM PORT O'CONNOR TEXAS TO MORGAN CITY
LOUISIANA. TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT ON EITHER SIDE OF
THE HURRICANE WARNING.

FORECASTER AVILA

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INITIAL 22/1500Z 25.4N 88.7W 145 KT
12HR VT 23/0000Z 25.8N 89.9W 140 KT
24HR VT 23/1200Z 26.9N 91.6W 130 KT
36HR VT 24/0000Z 28.2N 93.0W 125 KT
48HR VT 24/1200Z 30.0N 94.5W 100 KT...INLAND
72HR VT 25/1200Z 33.0N 95.0W 45 KT...INLAND
96HR VT 26/1200Z 34.0N 95.0W 30 KT...INLAND
120HR VT 27/1200Z 34.5N 94.5W 25 KT...INLAND

Rita seems to be on a weakening trend. Good. If she continues to weaken through saturday perhaps she won't come ashore as more than a tropical strom. We can hope, anyway.

 

[7starmantis]

Looks like Rita has been downgraded to a Cat 4, so know it is ONLY 150 mph sustained winds.

Good luck 7starmantis. My sister is trying to get out of Houston as I write this, I don't think shes going to make it though, it sounds like roads are clogged.

Lamont

Yeah, I've been hearing stories of people on the road for 15 hours traveling only about 80 miles! Lots of my friends and family are sitting in that traffic right now. Both sides of I-45 and I-10 are going northbound now, so that should help a bit.

7sm

 

[arnisador]

I hadn't realized you were in the path of it, 7starmantis! Good luck.

 

[Sapper6]

Godspeed to higher ground. hope everything turns out "well" for the mighty texans.

just saw a guy on FNC that spent 13 hours and got only 47 miles. the hold up is growing larger due to the fact people are running out of gas on the interstate. i heard they're trying to get the national guard on the freeways with gasoline.

 

[shesulsa]

Adam, get outta dodge any way you can, dude. Godspeed.

 

[arnisador]

The National Guard on the highways with gasoline...it make sense, of course, but what an image.

Last year Florida got 3 hurricanes...now this.

 

[Sapper6]

The National Guard on the highways with gasoline...it make sense, of course, but what an image.

sure, but that's why we have a national guard, to serve it's state and country in time of need. and they are trained for this, refueling operations that is. the MOS is 77F, vehicle petroleum specialist. fueling vehicles is their sole purpose in the military. i hope they do some good...the citizens of Texas are counting on it.

 

[7starmantis]

Well, this is history in the making. I'm riding it out here in Tyler, we shouldn't get more than a cat1 here hopefully....Thanks for all your thoughts. Many of my friends and family are stuck in traffic between here and there, so keep them in your thoughts and prayers to.

7sm

 

[andy]

I think there is a little to much media based panic. I live in texas and have seen the shelves emptied in the grocery stores. However,the frenzy that has been whipped up is somewhat overblown and annoying. This type of thing has been happening since the dawn of time--and will happen again. Every summer as it has before.