Are the big dots supposed to indicate the eye of the storm? From that map it is cutting straight through my house! (W Houston)
If so, it's making landfall in my grandma's backyard(Lake Jackson, Jone's Creek, Freeport Area), then heading straight towards the rest of my family(Magnolia, Tomball area).
SEPT 20, 2005 / 11:15 PM CDT http://www.wunderground.com/blog/SteveGregory/show.html HURRICANE RITA NEARS MAJOR CATEGORY 3 INTENSITY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 STORM SURGE FREEPORT TO TEXAS/LA STATE LINE POSSIBLE SATURDAY RECON and Satellite imagery continues to show Hurricane Rita intensifying rapidly -- and is likely to reach Major Hurricane Status within a few hours. Latest reported pressure was 965mb, with MAX sustained surface winds of 100mph. The storm is currently located near 24.1N/83.2W -- about 90NM WSW of Key West -- and very near Dry Tortugas. The storm is moving west at 12Kts. Rita is a fairly large and still growing hurricane, with sustained gale force winds extending over 110NM in the northern semi-circle and about 70 miles to the south. All models continue to forecast RITA to intensify to a CATEGORY 4, very Dangerous Hurricane, within the next 24-36 hours as upper level outflow winds continue to increase in all quadrants, and SST's remain near 84°F or higher across the entire Gulf -- and as long as the storm continues moving at a steady 10Kts or faster, water temps are warm enough to sustain a CAT 4 Hurricane. The models continue to forecast an erosion of the sub-tropical high now over the Gulf coast states, and Rita is expected to begin turning northwestward in about 48 hours, with a further curvature to a NNW heading by Friday night, some 18-24 hours before landfall. The last 3 model runs have shown a strong consensus for landfall along the upper Texas coast -- from near Port O'Connor to just east of Galveston. Although the average track forecast errors for 96 hours out is well over 200 miles -- there is a high confidence level in this track because the overwhelming majority of models are forecasting this track evolution -- and have done so for many model run cycles in a row. While CATEGORY 4 status is excepted to be reached, there will be periods of intensity fluctuation as is typical of very strong hurricanes - primarily a result of eye wall replacement cycles -- and which is impossible to predict. Although this storm is not expected to be as Catastrophic as Katrina in terms of absolute storm surge heights and aerial extent -- it very well may bring a severe, CATEGORY 4 Storm surge to a 50-80NM stretch of coast. With oil and product imports along with a very large proportion of oil and especially Natural Gas production located near Galveston north and east to off the coast of Louisiana -- the potential total impact on the U.S. energy production is almost of unimaginable levels. Those living in the coastal areas from Port O'Connor to Lake Charles, LA should begin preparations to evacuate. Those living from near Freeport to Galveston are advised to evacuate sooner rather than later - if at at all practical. The next full update will be late Wed AM after the 12Z model cycle completes. Brief status updates will be sent as warranted.
Is Montgomery (County I presume) far enough? My parents in SugarLand might go up to their ranch up there, but if things get worst, I met tell them just to come to Austin.
hey i stay right on hwy 6 & bissonett and i was wondering when it hits, how bad will it be for us in that area? would it be best to evacuate or can we ride it out? i never been in a hurricane before so i don't know what to except.
There is no way that they wont close it on thursday, they have to give everyone an opportunity to get their stuff together and get out. If UH was open on Thursday it wouldn't allow for that.
It's crazy... a friend who works in a motel here said they just sold out for the weekend. And we are a good ways on the OTHER side of San Antonio. You guys stay safe and let's all hope and pray that this isn't as bad as it could be....
The Rita now a Cat 3... Does anyone notice how erriely quiet it is outside? I usually hear frogs and crickets... I haven't seen one bird today either... As if they've all flown away...
Can anyone give me updates on the Sugar Land area and 610 Astrodome area? I have families living at those places and wondering what is the best to do? evacuate or ride it out?
jeff you live in the heights right? i'm in garden oaks nearby, any idea what it's going to be like for this area? i'm going to my buddy's place in college station but i'm hoping the house is alright when i get back.
**** THIS STUPID ASS STORM, ****ING PIECE OF **** KEPT ME AT WALGREENS FOR 13 HOURS TODAY ****ING WORKING AND STOCKING COZ PPL WANTED WATER AND FLASHLIGHTS AND BATTERIES, AND DUMBASS MANAGERS CANT ADD AND SUBTRACT. **** YOU RITA
2 am Models are getting worse for Houston... BAMM moved slightly to Houston putting the Exact Eye just over the Galleria Area/West 610 Intensity at 145 mph at coast - this would put 110 SUSTAINED winds for 2+ hours inside Houston's loop with Gusts to 145 MPH... Buildings will collapse. Stay away from downtown... All it takes is one flying debris in Downtown to create a ricochet affect that will smash all windows and create a an area of just flying glass. At this time i would begin preparations and taking action to protect property and life. Hit or not... Somebody will get it and it's looking worse for Houston this morning... (and you all are saying we'll know better by Wednesday - now you know)
