RITA - the monster is coming...

EddieWalker · Sep 22, 2005

All the best to everyone affected.

We've been getting reports of 8 to 20 inches of rain depending on wether she stalls out over us here, or keeps moving. Not sure what to expect. I'm fueling my tractors, generator and pulling everything indoors.

Eddie

bczoom · Sep 22, 2005

Hang in there guys. Be careful and safe. We're wishing the best for all of you and you're in everyone's prayers.

( upwards of 24" of rain) We got 6" in a day and 1/4 of the houses in our town were lost. 24" would put most of the rest of us under. I hope you have some high ground.

Brian

JESSE1 · Sep 22, 2005

One of my co-workers has 15 members of his family coming from Houston to stay with him. His sister left Houston at 2AM and arrived at his house at 11AM this morning. It's normally a 4 hour drive.

SkyPup · Sep 22, 2005

Well, it's flooding down in Texas,

all the telephone lines are down. ... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

BillG_in_TX · Sep 22, 2005

"Well, it's flooding down in Texas" 

It's not even raining anywhere in Texas at the moment. In fact, it's not even cloudy. See the attached radar for the US at 2:30 central time. I do know that all phone circuits are overloaded in the coastal areas, but it's not because of flooding.

SkyPup - maybe you thought it was flooding because you looked outside! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

SkyPup · Sep 22, 2005

Nope, those are just the beginning lines to Stevie Ray Vaughn's famous song, "Flooding In Texas".....

If it ain't flooding now, just wait until TOMORROW!

Good Luck to all, hope you are all outa there by now! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

mikim · Sep 22, 2005

From the 1500L conf call: Rita has decreased a bit for the moment as it passes over a cool eddy in the gulf - she may recover or if we're lucky she won't. Currently 913Mb, 125 - 155 mph wind, no change to the track - still coming in at High Island - then to Lufkin, Tyler, Texarkana and then ?? Storm surge at High Island 15 - 20 feet .. (from me - that same surge could affect the southwest side of the bay as well) She hasn't decreased in physical size - this is one big girl at ~350 miles across.

BillG_in_TX · Sep 22, 2005

Mike,

It appears that the NHC model is the one most news organizations use - probably because it's the most accurate - but I found a site that shows seven different model predictions.

They's all been relatively close until now. These things are now all over the map, including <ul type="square"> [*]2 that head straight west from Houston [*]1 that heads straight west from Dallas to the panhandle [*]1 that heads straight east from Dallas [*]1 that heads north from Dallas into Arkansas [*]1 that heads north through Louisiana, then does a loop before heading west to Dallas, and [*]1 that shows Rita stalling out south of LA. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif [/list] What in the heck is going on with "lovely" Rita.

mikim · Sep 22, 2005

That's right - there are several models that get looked at. These all come from different computers / computer systems. You'll notice some are even from other countries. Basically I think what ya got here is like going to different doctors for "second opinions" . One thing I've learned working with these meterologists - there's no such thing as enough data. They always want more.

BillyP · Sep 22, 2005

I just can't see it heading west, after landfall. I'll stick with the NHC prediction.

At least they all did agree to the path to which it is now /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

frank_f15 · Sep 22, 2005

( An article told of a woman who is staying in Galveston with her hubby to ride it out. What are they thinking?
)
they must be thinking of the old saying "IT CAN'T HAPPEN TO ME"

txdon · Sep 22, 2005

The monster today for the evacuees was the heat and the traffic and the inability to move. Some are giving up and turning around, others are running out of gas and are waiting on the freeway for a "sag wagon". There is a story in the paper of a person driving for 11 hours to evacuate and finally giving up and turning around and getting back home in 18 minutes. If I would have tried to get to Lee County the normal 2 hour trip would have taken 12 hours. I'm glad I had to work which made me stay in Houston especially since the eye has moved east. The wind will be from the north and east. My windows in town only face south.

I took a final run to the store this afternoon just in case someone got some "D" batteries and an ice shipment in. The two items that I never saw, I think the employees stashed them /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. The only close store open was a CVS drug store. One checker and I counted 50 people in line, I headed down the road. About 12 miles away I found a non-chain grocery store open all checkout lines were open and only about 7 deep. they did not have the the ice or batteries but I got my supply of junk food. I was feeling a bit guilty about the chips and trail mix when I saw the older couple ahead of me with lots of dried beans and rice....but then I looked behind me and a younger couple had a candy bar and a carton of cigarettes.

All the gas stations and stores were out of fuel, but my tanks are full and I don't need to go out anymore. I'm making Ice the old fashion way - using the freezer, /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif and I'm getting pretty tired of the 24 hour coverage of the hurricane anyway so the "D" radio batteries will not be missed.

It was HOT and sunny today, tomorrow the wind picks up and the excitement starts. I'm wondering if Harvey's pond project in Dallas will come to a halt because of the rains????

Keep us posted Mike!

Jagmandave · Sep 22, 2005

Well, the good news is that it's eased up quite a bit, the bad news is it's still a hurricane with lots of damage potential.
I heard about those poor folks stuck in those 100 mile traffic jams. I wonder if the next time they get ordered out they'll just decide to stay, especially if this one downgrades any more.
The real worry now is that it will stall once it hits land and drop 25" of rain................
We're supposed to start seeing the effects up here in Kansas later in the week, unless it stalls, changes direction or something........ the models show it going straight, turning left, right, or just standing pat, I guess someone will get it right..... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

mark777 · Sep 23, 2005

Yesterday at this time it looked very bad for us (19 miles from Houston ship channel) and I had my daughter and granddaughter show up with their car overheating. They were trying to rescue us. I topped off our car, switched baggage, passengers and kissed my beloved goodbye at 9:15am.

She returned at 7:20pm after only making it 21 miles. I topped off the fuel, re-checked the essentials and they left at 5:15 this morning, with tears in their eyes...hoping to reach friends in San Antonio.

I'm staying. Not because of some false sense of courage, ignorance or hurricane party mentality, more because I have two (very large) golden retrievers who will surely die from exposure or hunger. I will also feed the two remaining horses next door. The renters (wife) cried from relieve when I said I would add grain to their hay and keep an eye on them.

Our neighborhood is a ghost town.

I hope my wife, daughter and granddaughter make it. I hope everyone remains civil and come through ok.

Regards, Mark

mikim · Sep 23, 2005

Good morning. First let me say I do not recommend living in one's office as a life sytle. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
This a.m.'s stats: She weakened overnite. 927Mb, 140 mph, pointed at Jefferson Co. between the Trinity & Sabine rivers. Hurricane force winds go out 60 miles in radius from center, Tropical winds 120 miles from center. Track has it coming inland to Texarkana then reversing back toward Houston. Although wind damage for this area may be reduced from first anticipated, she may be a major rain problem ala Allison.
Wed a.m. I left home figuring it would be the last time I saw my house not in total ruin. This a.m. it looks like this may turn into a non-event for that house. I'm personally feeling much better this a.m. At least emotionally. Physically I'm nearing a wreck. This cot in a cube does not make for a good night's sleep. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

BB_TX · Sep 23, 2005

Mike - You might want to invest in a better cot. You are probably already aware of this, but according to NOAA you may get a few more opportunities in the coming years (decades?).

txdon · Sep 23, 2005

There she is.

This picture was taken this morning at 7:30 A.M. from Houston looking ESE.

Thanks for the updates Mike.

mikim · Sep 23, 2005

yeah-- well -- like everything ya gotta consider the source /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Actually, I'm age eligible to retire - as quick as I become financially eligible - I'm outta heah! And if we end up with another event like this .... I just may waiver that ... and go to work at Wally world to make up the diff. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

MossRoad · Sep 23, 2005

I caught the Texas Flood reference. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

RIP SRV /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

SkyPup · Sep 23, 2005

( I caught the Texas Flood reference. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

RIP SRV /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )

Well there’s floodin’ down in texas....all of the telephone lines are down

Well there’s floodin’ down in texas....all of the telephone lines are down

And I’ve been tryin’ to call my baby....lord and I can’t get a single sound

Well dark clouds are rollin’ in....man I’m standin’ out in the rain

Well dark clouds are rollin’ in....man I’m standin’ out in the rain

Yeah flood water keep a rollin’....man it’s about to drive poor me insane

Well I’m leavin’ you baby....lord and I’m goin’ back home to stay

Well I’m leavin’ you baby....lord and I’m goin’ back home to stay

Well back home I know floods and tornados....baby the sun shines every day.

God Rest Your Soul SRV /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif