Hurricane Rita thread

[Buzz Mills]

Rita's Destruction Falls Short of Fears

PERRY, La. - For the storm-shattered Gulf Coast, the images were all too familiar: Tiny fishing villages in splinters. Refrigerators and coffins bobbing in floodwaters. Helicopters and rescue boats making house-to-house searches of residents stranded on the rooftops. But as the misery wrought by Hurricane Rita came into clearer view — particularly in the hard-to-reach marsh towns along the Texas-Louisiana line — the lasting signs that emerged a day after the storm's 120-mph landfall were of an epic evacuation that saved countless lives, and of destruction that fell short of the Katrina-sized fears.

"As bad as it could have been, we came out of this in pretty good shape," Texas Gov. Rick Perry said after taking a helicopter tour Sunday. Even with nearly 1 million in the region without electricity, some coastal towns flooded to the rooftops and the prospect of nearly 3 million evacuated residents pouring back onto the highways for home, the news was overwhelmingly positive.

http://tinyurl.com/awsyf

 

[concernedperson]

Not enough compassion is expressed. Some are really poor some are in the only thing I have ever known in my life position.I think we need to express ourselves now a little more. These are our people who are having a life sucking experience.Please put down your ipods and give to someone who only wanted to live their lives. And BTW worked for their living, it is just that their living isn't good enough right now. This is serious.

 

[Tom'sGirl]

Not enough compassion is expressed. Some are really poor some are in the only thing I have ever known in my life position.I think we need to express ourselves now a little more. These are our people who are having a life sucking experience.Please put down your ipods and give to someone who only wanted to live their lives. And BTW worked for their living, it is just that their living isn't good enough right now. This is serious.

I received this nice newsletter from the ARC Friday. I will continue to donate, although not as much as I did initionally.

Dear XXXXX,


The American Red Cross has launched the single largest operation in our history to help the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

Our army of devoted staff and volunteers so far have helped more than three quarters of a million people for this disaster; served nearly 12 million hot meals and 8.9 million snacks; and registered more than 131,237 people on our Family Links Online Registry.



You see firsthand the generosity of the American people in action when you talk with survivors in our shelters. They are so grateful. One man at the Houston Astrodome shelter said:

"I never before used the Red Cross. I knew they did good things, but I never saw it first hand. I needed a roof over my head, they welcomed me. I needed to cry, and they listened. They fed me. I needed help. I was desperate. They didn't turn me away."

There are many more stories like this that couldn't have happened without caring friends like you. The outpouring of contributions has been extraordinary.

But the reality is, beyond immediate relief, Katrina survivors will require our continuing commitment, and unprecedented resources to help them recover -- many, who are trusting the Red Cross with their lives.

We're in this for the long-haul. As long as there is one family to be sheltered ... to be fed ... to be reunited, the Red Cross will be there.

Together, we will make a difference.

American Red Cross PS - As Hurricane Rita churns towards the Gulf coast, the Red Cross has opened shelters and pre-positioned staff and supplies - we're ready to respond.

 

[concernedperson]

I have already worked with the Red Cross. It was life affirming. I will continue to do so all I was saying as some were not being acknowledged.Just a big road ahead. Just trying to be human.All acknowledgements and all work is heartfelt and recognized.

 

[Tom'sGirl]

I have already worked with the Red Cross. It was life affirming. I will continue to do so all I was saying as some were not being acknowledged.Just a big road ahead. Just trying to be human.All acknowledgements and all work is heartfelt and recognized.

Yes, I have read your posts about manning the phones at the Red Cross and I'm happy that you were able to do it.

Not everyone, especailly on the West Coast were able to do more than what we did, and that was give $$$ and blood.

We gathered supplies that were never sent in a timely manner, or had problems getting them to those who needed them once the trucks reached LA. So, in the end I'm glad I gave $$$.

BUT, when it's our time of crisis out here,and it will, I won't expect anyone, or any agency to give me a darn thing that I didn't have to begin with.

 

[concernedperson]

Yes, I have read your posts about manning the phones at the Red Cross and I'm happy that you were able to do it.

Not everyone, especailly on the West Coast were able to do more than what we did, and that was give $$$ and blood.

We gathered supplies that were never sent in a timely manner, or had problems getting them to those who needed them once the trucks reached LA. So, in the end I'm glad I gave $$$.


en it's our time of crisis out here,and it will, I won't expect anyone, or any agency to give me a darn thing that I didn't have to begin with.

I will be there to help if you need me.

 

[Tom'sGirl]

I will be there to help if you need me.

How very sweet concerned, but I have a feeling if a major crisis did hit I would be the one who my family & everyone who knows me will be calling to help them..........just has always worked that way with me in my life

 

[Buzz Mills]

PUBLIC ADVISORY NUMBER 34 FOR TROPICAL DEPRESSION RITA
NWS...HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL PREDICTION CENTER...CAMP SPRINGS MD
10 PM CDT SUN SEP 25 2005

...TROPICAL DEPRESSION RITA PUSHING TOWARDS THE OHIO
VALLEY...SEVERE WEATHER AND FLOOD THREAT REMAIN...

A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF MISSISSIPPI... AND
ALABAMA.

FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD WATCHES ARE IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF
MISSISSIPPI...ALABAMA...AND THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE.

AT 10 PM CDT...03Z...TROPICAL DEPRESSION RITA WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 38.5 NORTH...AND LONGITUDE 89.5 WEST...OR 55 MILES
SOUTHEAST OF ST. LOUIS MISSOURI.

THE DEPRESSION IS NOW MOVING NORTH NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. THIS
GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE ENSUING 24 HR
PERIOD. RITA IS FORECAST TO WEAKEN AS SHE CONTINUES HER JOURNEY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE 20 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. THE MINIMUM
CENTRAL PRESSURE WAS 1004 MB...OR 29.65 INCHES.

SELECTED STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS IN INCHES THROUGH 7 PM CDT



...LOUISIANA...

BUNKIE 16.00
LAPLACE 12.45
LOGANSPORT 9.81
PORT VINCENT 9.71
JENNINGS 9.39
BATON ROUGE 9.30
MILLERVILLE 9.12
LAFAYETTE 8.44
INNISWOLD 8.31
PRAIRIEVILLE 7.94
FORT POLK 7.39
NEW ORLEANS 6.32
SHREVEPORT 5.53

...TEXAS...

CENTER 10.48
BEAUMONT/PORT ARTHUR 8.89
KARNACK 6.32
EVADALE 6.27
LONGVIEW 5.60
HARLETON 4.50
MARSHALL 4.28
JEFFERSON 4.22
LINDEN 3.70
DE KALB 3.00

...ARKANSAS...

BOUGHTON 5.88
STAR CITY 5.60
HOT SPRINGS 5.58
ARKANSAS CITY 5.36
LEOLA 5.25
DEMASCUS 5.10
LEWISVILLE 5.08
SPARKMAN 4.91
BENTON 4.88
MOUNT IDA 4.87
CAMDEN 4.75
TEXARKANA 4.03
LITTLE ROCK 3.46

...MISSISSIPPI...

GREENVILLE 8.37
NATCHEZ 7.80
PORT GIBSON 5.62
HOLLANDALE 5.45
LELAND 5.25
WAYSIDE 4.74
VICKSBURG 4.39
JACKSON 2.01

...ALABAMA...

ATMORE 4.30
CAMDEN 4.28
EVERGREEN 3.72
ALBERTA 3.51
BREWTON 3.15
SILVERHILL 3.14
WALLACE 2.90
THEODORE 2.59
UNIONTOWN 2.56
COFFEEVILLE 2.37
CLAIBORNE 2.13

...MISSOURI...

MYRTLE 2.15
WEST PLAINS 1.83
POPLAR BLUFF 1.68
WINONA 1.64
CAPE GIRARDEAU 1.24

...KENTUCKY...

PADUCAH 1.40

...INDIANA...

TERRE HAUTE 1.23
BLOOMINGTON 1.11
EAGLE CREEK ARPT 1.06
EVANSVILLE 0.95

...ILLINOIS...

HILDAGO 1.77
DECATUR 1.54
WINDSOR 1.42
URBANA 1.32
PALESTINE 1.14
CARBONDALE 1.13


MAXIMUM RAINFALL AMOUNTS FROM TROPICAL DEPRESSION RITA ARE
EXPECTED TO RANGE LOCALLY FROM 2 TO 4 INCHES OVER PARTS OF THE
OHIO VALLEY TONIGHT.

REPEATING THE 10 PM CDT POSITION...38.5 NORTH...89.5 WEST...
MOVEMENT TOWARD NORTH NORTHEAST NEAR 25 MPH...MAXIMUM SUSTAINED
WINDS AT 20 MPH...MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1004 MB.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL
PREDICTION CENTER AT 5 AM CDT. PLEASE REFER TO YOUR LOCAL
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS
STORM.

TRIMARCO

 

[Buzz Mills]

Where Rita made landfall:

At the port in Sabine Pass, shrimp boats were pushed up onto docks and piled atop one another in a jumble of masts, ropes and nets.

Longtime residents know their town is vulnerable to hurricanes. It was wiped out in 1886 by a storm that killed 86 people, and hit again in 1900 and 1915.

 

[Sassygerl]

aaahh...I caught the tail end of the convo on Fox with them saying the conditions are right and they are watching an area near San Juan where a storm is starting to form that could later in the week (according to the sketches on the map) enter the Gulf. Did I really hear that right? Like I said...caught the tail end and was thinking I'm glad we didn't return some of the things we bought!

 

[Dark Knight]

Accuweather.com says:

The future doesn't look too bright for Rita. The tropical rainstorm will stall out over the Mississippi River Valley and then be stripped of her moisture Monday as a cold front intersects the storm system. As the moisture is lifted off to the northeast, a much weakened Rita will slowly fade south toward the Gulf of Mexico. Earlier thoughts were that Rita may have enough organization to redevelop in the Gulf, but the storm will be too weak, and upper-level winds will be too strong for Rita to become anything more than a memory.


A tropical wave along 77 west and south of 20 north is moving west at 15 knots and is causing a few showers and thunderstorms near Jamaica. Another tropical wave along 67 west and south of 20 north is moving west at 15 knots and is causing a fair amount of showers and thunderstorms over the eastern Caribbean. Some models are developing this wave across the northwest Caribbean later in the week so this will be one area to watch. Another tropical wave along 39 west and south of 23 north is moving west at 10 knots. This wave is encountering strong shear from a deep upper level trough east of the Lesser Antilles so development is not expected.

BUT, they ALSO said...A piece of the upper level energy associated with Tropical Rainstorm Rita will break away and track south into the eastern Gulf of Mexico Tuesday into Wednesday and may have to be watched for future development as it comes into play with an upper trough tracking west across the Bahamas.

 

[Buzz Mills]

They showed the first pictures of Holly Beach, a small community, where Rita came ashore. Utter devastation. Only foundations, if anything, were left. Everything was swept clean. Strange that we haven't seen much footage.

 

[Buzz Mills]

PUBLIC ADVISORY NUMBER 35 FOR TROPICAL DEPRESSION RITA
NWS...HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL PREDICTION CENTER...CAMP SPRINGS MD
4 AM CDT MON SEP 26 2005

...TROPICAL DEPRESSION RITA WEAKENING...

FLOOD AND FLASH FLOOD WATCHES ARE IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF
MISSISSIPPI...ALABAMA...AND THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE.

AT 4 AM CDT...09Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION RITA WAS
LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 40.8 NORTH...AND LONGITUDE 86.8 WEST...OR 80
MILES NORTH NORTHWEST OF INDIANAPOLIS INDIANA.

THE DEPRESSION IS NOW MOVING NORTH NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH. THIS
GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE. RITA WILL WEAKEN AND
BECOME ABSORBED BY A FRONTAL WAVE LATER THIS MORNING.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE 15 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. THE MINIMUM
CENTRAL PRESSURE WAS 1006 MB...OR 29.71 INCHES.

SELECTED STORM TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS IN INCHES THROUGH 2 AM CDT

 

[concernedperson]

I just heard an interview with the mayor of Nederland,Texas. He was describing the lack of support after his paper work was properly filed and had sat in Beaumont for 1.5 days. FEMA is saying that don't have it but the mayor is saying that Texas officials acknowledged it days ago. In a unrelated article some of the same bs.

Scope of disasters overwhelms FEMA

http://www.acadiananow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050926/NEWS05/509260332/1075

 

[BarnGoddess]

I had posted that my cousin had not been heard from and my sister, an old friend of hers and I had posted in several sites. I even requested a search at the coast guard site. We e-mailed churches called each other, and my sister hounded the Red Cross by phone to no avail.

Today, I reviewed my e-mails and found that a distant cousin was looking also and mentioned the names of two relatives. I did a white pages search and came up with the name with an address and phone number in suburban Atlanta.
On a whim, I called the number and asked the man that answered if he were related. All of a sudden, he said he remembered me and to hold on a second. Next thing I knew, my cousin was on the line. She's been there since escaping NO.

She told me that they had announced a "water evacuation", meaning her area of Lakeside would flood. She's within a few blocks of the lake. She and a friend of hers both took their cars and checked into a large downtown hotel on Canal St. They weathered the storm that night, but early the next morning they announced they needed to evacuate immediately as the levee broke and there was to be mass flooding. Each one of these elderly ladies had cars and the hotel evacuated them so quickly they were told not to worry about the bills, just go and try to take as many people with them as they could get in their vehicles. She said her friend took people from Houston and she took people from Dallas. Now keep in mind she's 94. The hotel was at the foot of the bridge over the river and they headed out. She got to Lafayette and called the cousin in Georgia. They then drove to Dallas. The Georgia cousin flew in from Atlanta and met her. They then drove back to his home in Lawrenceville (suburb). She said she had a touch of pneumonia and is taking medication and occasional oxygen to help her breathe better. She turned 95 on Sept 12. She has no idea if her home is still under water or not. The man who owns the two story duplex has not gotten back in yet. She was pretty certain the area was flooded badly. She's chipper and upbeat and is sure she was guided and watched every step of the way. We even reminisced about my visits to NO back in college and the fun we had then.

I gently "chewed" her out for not getting on a safe list so we could quit searching and worrying about her and she said Cliff was going to help her by getting on line and show her how to use the internet. She's using his e-mail to write to people and wonders why she didn't get a computer years ago. She's starting to contact people, but didn't take her address book with her. I gave her phone numbers of her friend and other cousin in Florida and that of my sister. Everyone is so relieved.

Now I know I am a true "sleuther".

 

[concernedperson]

Happy story. I am so glad for you and all of your extended family. She sounds like a real hoot. She should spread some angel dust around because I think she has a lot to spare.

 

[Maral]

BarnGoddess, that is great news!!

 

[Buzz Mills]

BG, glad to hear the good news.

 

[Casshew]

BarnGoddess, that is wonderful news - thanks for sharing!

 

[mysteriew]

BarnGoddess that is wonderful. It sounds as though you have an amazing gm. 94 and learing the computer! LOL, going forth and exploring new worlds! I am so glad that you found her. I hope you will get the opportunity to reunite with her soon.