Hurricane Rita

[blueeyes_austin]

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph....

...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

 

[DandyDon]

I saw where the city of Lubbock is getting ready to take in evacuees. I'm just north of there.

If it skirts Houston to the south, that'll still be round for Corpus and even San Antonio, but could reduce the over losses...

Even leaving for Dallas today looks a little hairy. Looks like we're gonna get lots of rain even up in the Panahandle...

 

[H2Andy]

what kills people in a hurricane is not the wind but the water, so if you get
away from the low-lying coastal areas, your safety goes up a very high
percentage

but watch for flash floods, especially if driving... very dangerous

 

[Wildcard]

IN the words of Ron White:
"It's not THAT the wind is blowing it's WHAT the wind is blowing."
This looks like another ugly one. All Y'all down there be safe!

 

[ZzzKing]

It's been so dry and we desparately need the rain in Dallas but this is not my idea of the best way to go about getting it. Good luck to everyone down there!

 

[Scubaguy62]

My mother lives in San Antonio and she's told me how people are actually heeding the warnings and evacuating. San Antonio has already several trucks packed and ready to roll with supplies for those who end up being the most affected. I truly hope those affected by Katrina, and those who will inevitably be affected by Rita don't experience what we in FL. have experienced with FEMA. FEMA still owes more than 10 billion dollars to several Florida counties for damages caused by TS Bonnie, and Hurricanes Charlie, Jeanne and Frances.

Be safe y'all

 

[Wildcard]

Please explain why FEMA "owes" counties money? They are not an insurance agency. Im just wondering why this is??????

 

[H2Andy]

because the money was earmarked by the government for distribution and FEMA
is still holding on to it

 

[Wildcard]

Not trying to take this off course but you will have to be more specific. If monies pledged were not needed then they are not "owed". Please clarify this comment.

 

[H2Andy]

oh, they're definetely needed. FEMA's just taking their time about it