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Junkdrawer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 10:25 AM
Original message
Heads Up Houston...Soon-To-Be-Hurricane Rita on the way...
Edited on Mon Sep-19-05 10:26 AM by Junkdrawer
Start making plans and keep a sharp eye on this one. Currently projecting a Cat 3 after 3 days, Cat ??? on landfall...

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT18/refresh/AL1805W5_sm2+gif/151209W_sm.gif

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/151209.shtml?5day
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BlueJac Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 10:27 AM
Response to Original message
1. I bet it can't resist NO...........
Maybe it can just hit Crawford, Tx.
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Penndems Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 12:17 PM
Response to Reply #1
100. New Orleans not at risk this time
Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Port Arthur are in the strike zone.
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Junkdrawer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 10:31 AM
Response to Original message
2. Here's the question coming up: When to evacuate a major city?
I guess you can wait until 24hrs if it's a rural/small town evacuation.

But if a major city is in the crosshairs, when to pull the evacuation trigger??????? :shrug:
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Zynx Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:03 AM
Response to Reply #2
9. Absolute realistic minimum is 72 hours; 96+ is probably more likely
Edited on Mon Sep-19-05 11:03 AM by Zynx
You can see the problem with hurricanes relative to that.
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A-Possum Donating Member (172 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:45 AM
Response to Reply #9
20. Very true
I evacuated Corpus Christi (not a large city) for hurricane David in early 80's. The ENTIRE CITY was sitting in cars, bumper to bumper, not moving, for the length of the interstate btw San Antonio and Corpus (150 miles). Nobody could move ONE INCH. If the hurricane had made landfall there we'd have been sitting in our cars. Only pure luck that it made a last minute turn and made landfall to the south.

This is the problem the authorities have. If you require mandatory evac in realistic time to accomplish it, then you have to start early. Then if the storm does not hit, you look like you cried wolf. Next time people don't listen. It's really an insoluable problem.

However, after that experience, I am already calling my sister and her ex-husband and telling them to get a plan going NOW for how and where and when he will evacuate with my beloved nephew who just moved in with him in Houston. Maybe at least I'll get them to think ahead a little and COMMUNICATE.
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Junkdrawer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 12:27 PM
Response to Reply #20
24. Yep...Political fallout from Crying Wolf or fallout from 1000s Dead...
The new 21st century dilema...

I think that if you live in a hurricane prone region, you should get used to 2-4 false alarm evacuations each year. Get the car-equipped masses out 72-48 hrs early, evacuate the poor in busses 48-24 hrs next and then concentrate on the invalids during the 24 hrs before the storm.
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Catherine Vincent Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 12:44 PM
Response to Reply #24
26. I would rather have political fallout for crying wolf.
And I agree with the rest of what you said. We should all learn from New Orleans. Better to be safe than sorry.
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alarimer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:11 PM
Response to Reply #20
60. That;'s one reason I don't want to leave here
I am in Corpus too and my relatives are in Austin which is where I would have to go because they have pets too so they wouldn't mind my cat. But our evacuation route is actually to the south, to Kingsville and 77. I would prefer not to take 37 but would rather take 35 to Portland than some of the smaller roads out of town. I know how to get to Austin by the back roads but some of the coastal roads flood too.
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A-Possum Donating Member (172 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:26 PM
Response to Reply #60
66. Well plan now
And start early, if it looks like it's coming toward Corpus. That would be my advice from experience. You want to be gone LONG before the coastal roads flood. We also went to Austin, by the back roads, and they were completely bumper-to-bumper too. We were in 2 vehicles and got separated (this was in the days before cell phones, ancient!) and it was very frightening as I didn't know where my husband had ended up. You should consider that it's likely the cell phone system might overload or be unusable too, so have some clear destination where you are expected to arrive. There were hurricane-spawned tornadoes in Austin, too. I don't want to be an alarmist but I do want you to think seriously about what to do if landfall near CC appears to be a possibility.

Also, even though Hurricane David, a cat 5, lost strength and came ashore between CC and Brownsville, my friends who stayed in CC said NEVER AGAIN.

Just sayin'.
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alarimer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:50 PM
Response to Reply #66
81. think I'll call my relatives tonight
And move out Friday if it looks likely. I am hoping that it makes landfall in Kenedy County like Hurricane Bret a couple of years ago. More cows than people there.
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demo dutch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:32 PM
Response to Reply #2
39. 36 hrs prior is the norm in FL
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Sydnie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 10:39 AM
Response to Original message
3. I can just hear the RW fundie preachers now
"It came after those people from NO that were in Houston. They brought their decadence with them and now Houston is being punished for taking them in."

I am surprised that we didn't hear that when Ophelia hit South Carolina.

Wonder how their "hospitality" will be when they have to secure their own families and property. Wonder how many will find room in their SUV's or their "other home" for any of those families still in the shelters. Wonder if the Mayor of Houston has an evacuation plan in place that can accommodate an addition 20,000 or so people.

Better get the buses lined up now. Oh, and ... better call FEMA too. I hear their lines are pretty busy. It might take until it hits for you to get a recording saying that their lines are busy and that they are disconnecting you.

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Blue Belle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 10:51 AM
Response to Reply #3
6. Oh you so know the fundies are gonna go there....
I'm sure they're getting their "This horrible disaster has been set upon us because we took in those heathen voodoo worshipers from NOLA" speeches all primed and ready to go. Forget global warming and the emissions from fossile fuels... it's much easier to pin the blame on those who lost everything (partly because they don't even own a car) and are obviously cursed. :eyes:
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mnhtnbb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 12:05 PM
Response to Reply #3
95. Great response to the fundies on Hurricanes
or other disasters as wrath of God.

I LOL at this letter in our regional paper today: Raleigh News & Observer.

http://www.newsobserver.com/print/tuesday/opinion/story/2799070p-9241382c.html


Published: Sep 20, 2005
Modified: Sep 20, 2005 7:49 AM
Hurricane-free

I am getting tired of people claiming that God sent hurricanes to North Carolina and the Gulf Coast because of lotteries and sexual immorality. God does not use natural disasters as punishment for indiscretions. But suppose I am wrong and he does. Then Christians, like myself, must start to question why the Muslim holy land of Saudi Arabia has been spared from volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.

Anthony DiMarzio

Raleigh


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Darkhawk32 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 10:44 AM
Response to Original message
4. OMG, if another major hurricane (any hurricane really) hit NOLA.....
That would definitely be the end of any chance to rebuild it... everything would be destroyed. :scared:
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Zynx Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:01 AM
Response to Reply #4
8. OTOH - it wouldn't kill people or destroy any new property
Same for the Mississippi coast - anything that can be destroyed has been destroyed.

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sexybomber Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:17 PM
Response to Reply #4
34. Dude, everybody there either is an emergency worker or dead.
The former can either ride the storm out in a boat or move inland for a day. The latter won't care much either way.
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Darkhawk32 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:28 PM
Response to Reply #34
36. I'm not talking about people, I mean any homes or businesses left...
would be wiped out. They're already weakened structurally. This would be the straw that broke the camel's back.
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kestrel91316 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 10:59 AM
Response to Reply #36
89. If all that debris from Katrina that still hasn't been cleaned up gets to
flying around there is going to be SERIOUS trouble.
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kedrys Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 10:48 AM
Response to Original message
5. We'll have to ride it out then
We're not leaving without the cats, and there's seven of them...so we're not leaving.
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progressivebydesign Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:25 AM
Response to Reply #5
11. Couldn't you get 7 cat carriers? Did I misunderstand you?
I'm not sure I understand your post, after seeing what happened a few weeks ago during Katrina. Wouldn't it be better for your cats to actually be removed from the area if there was a danger? I think I'd rather be stuffed into a car with all my pets than watching them suffer in the event of a massive storm.

Perhaps I didn't understand your post. You can buy those cardboard pet carriers for 6 bux, and they hold a cat quite nicely.
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tammywammy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:28 AM
Response to Reply #11
13. Shoot, if you don't have the money
A pillow case will do in a pinch.

And I've used the cardboard ones before, and they work fine, it was $5 from the local animal shelter.
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KayLaw Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:19 PM
Response to Reply #13
35. I saw something in Tightwad Gazette
If you need an extra cat carrier, use two of those cheap laundry baskets, one upside down and place on the other. Lace them together with a little rope or something. . .fine for an emergency.
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Carni Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:30 PM
Response to Reply #35
37. Funny you should say this LOL
I have a cat that we basically abducted from our yard when he was about 7 months old.

He was (is although no longer wild) a beautiful feral cat and we spent an entire summer trying to capture him with various live traps carriers etc...What FINALLY worked was a laundry basket propped up by a stick with a string attached to the stick.

It was quite an endeavor--we actually had to alter the door to thread the string through it to the deck outside (we replaced the door later and I guess he was worth it! )

He has adapted very well to living a life of leisure inside.
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faithnotgreed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:42 PM
Response to Reply #37
43. carni - i love you for this
what a great heart

i also have a feral little guy - he was trapped by a vet school students group that does mobile spay/neuter for feral cats

we have had him since he was 9 months and he is now about 9 yrs old
my mom often comments how much calmer he is (than the 1st few years) and such a well behaved boy

as you know they never lose the feral aspects but when rescued that young they can be very happy and ok living indoors (my cats are all strictly indoors)

it helps too that from the time he joined us he had an older brother (rescued from a cat shelter)

best wishes carni
anyone who goes to those lengths to save an animal has my fondest regards
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faithnotgreed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:35 PM
Response to Reply #35
41. great suggestion kaylaw
i love anything that helps animals and you never know who might need that information

anyone doing this please make sure to tie that rope nice and tight
as we know cats can get pretty wild in an unkown/ frightening situation
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SoCalDem Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:49 PM
Response to Reply #41
45. Electronics cardboard boxes are good too
Edited on Mon Sep-19-05 01:50 PM by SoCalDem
They are very sturdy, and with holes poked /cut for air, they can be sealed up with packing tape.. Everyone stays safe.. Kitty might make it "smelly", but better smelly, than dead :)
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faithnotgreed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:51 PM
Response to Reply #45
47. thank you - exactly right
there are certainly cardboard carriers so why not make your own if you are in an emergency situation
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kedrys Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:41 AM
Response to Reply #11
18. We do indeed have 7 cat carriers
If it gets that bad a couple of days in advance of the storm, we'll leave with cats duly sedated in tow. We don't have anywhere to go, but either we're all safe or we're all doomed.

We'll be looking at boarding up the windows in the next couple of days if necessary. We bought the house in May, and we're outside the beltway in Westchase. Chances are we're more likely to get hit by a tornado.

Our area of town does not flood, according to TSARP, which was a big deal in choosing the location.



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Carni Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 12:39 PM
Response to Reply #18
25. Well here's the thing (JMO)
I understand you not wanting to leave your cats...I have three and there is no way they'd get left behind.

BUT on the other hand if I got killed because I stayed (to care for them) -- the cats would still be on their own.

Not trying to be an ass, but you'd be better off heading out sooner rather than later with the cats... and even camping somewhere safer until things play out, then you would be waiting til the last minute and sitting in traffic.

All I am saying is people play it safe--I have a feeling we are going to be seeing one storm right after another for the next two months.
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kedrys Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:11 PM
Response to Reply #25
31. Point well taken
None of us (2 humans and 7 cats) have suicidal tendencies.
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faithnotgreed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:31 PM
Response to Reply #31
38. good luck kedrys - and a big thank you for caring so much
about animals

make sure to check in and let us hear an update from you (if this thing develops)

take good care
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kedrys Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:59 PM
Response to Reply #38
49. Will do, thanks
Discussing Plans A through about L with the s.o.
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faithnotgreed Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 02:05 PM
Response to Reply #49
52. ha - good idea nt
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gkhouston Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:43 PM
Response to Reply #18
44. some hotel chains (like La Quinta) are pet friendly
and if you're looking to make online reservations, sometimes the hotel property information page online will specifically say "pets welcome" or "no pets allowed". I can understand not wanting to load up 7 kitties and hit the road, but you don't want to be there if the wind's bad enough to damage your roof or windows. If you're like most folks in the greater Houston area, you don't have the plantation shutter or plywood for your windows; only the people much closer to the water do that (and need to, IMO).
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Feron Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 01:32 PM
Response to Reply #44
104. And make your reservations TODAY, Don't Wait!!
As I found with Katrina, hotels in nearby safe areas will fill up fast. The worst that will happen is that you will have to call the hotel to cancel your reservation. That way at least you know you will have somewhere to stay.

Me, I'm sweating it out until the storm passes the 90 mark. It doesn't look like it's coming to the N.O. area, but ya never let your guard down until it's past.
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MsTryska Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:54 PM
Response to Reply #5
48. may i suggest something?
i plan on doing this with my cats if and when the time comes.


put them in shoulder harnesses. preferably with leashes hooked on.


that way if it comes time to evacuate, and they're being ornery and tucked into a corner, you can grab them easily.
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kedrys Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 02:02 PM
Response to Reply #48
51. We'd have to sedate them all
A couple of them don't travel well at all, and another 2 or 3 insist on wanting to drive or at least see what's going on. The singing alone could drive you absolutely batsh*t.
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MsTryska Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 02:14 PM
Response to Reply #51
55. yeah tell me about it.....
sedatings prolly the best option - i've used benadryl in the past.

the thing about mine are they are freakin huge. 11 and 13lbs respectively. the 13 pounder doesn't fit well in the cardboard carriers at all.
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Carni Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 03:43 PM
Response to Reply #55
59. You call THAT huge? Pffff--- I got your 18 pounder right here...
I have an 18 pounder, a 15 pounder and a 7 pounder (not sure why the one is normal and the other two are candidates for an accelerated Jenny Craig program... but that's what I've got! lol)
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kedrys Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:26 PM
Response to Reply #59
65. I have a combined 100lbs of cat
The largest is 20lbs, the smallest maybe 7. Cat carriers were picked to fit each cat. :D
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Carni Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 06:48 PM
Response to Reply #65
82. You may need to invest in a cherry picker if evacuation becomes nec.!
I thought I had a big cat! LOL
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MsTryska Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:30 PM
Response to Reply #59
68. well truth be told the 13 pounder
used to be 16lbs until I changed his diet.

He is generally big-boned too tho. Maybe he's got Maine Coon in him. is your 18lber a tabby?
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Carni Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 06:56 PM
Response to Reply #68
83. He's a short haired cat grey and white striped
Here he is when he was slimmer (and please don't call the animal welfare people lol...the hat was not my doing)


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MsTryska Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 08:43 AM
Response to Reply #83
87. well he is a big fatty, that's for sure.
mine is grey as well - almost blue, with a white belly and socks, and when the light hits just right you can see the hint of tabby stripes.


he's gotten a little slimmer as i said, but it's still funny to watch him run and see his belly swing back and forth.
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kedrys Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 10:53 AM
Response to Reply #87
88. What is it with huge grey cats anyway?
Socrates, the 20 pounder, is grey with a white bib, white belly, and white socks. His tail still has vestiges of his baby stripes.
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MsTryska Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 11:07 AM
Response to Reply #88
90. wow - sounds like mine.....
i know there is a tie between temperament and coat color - i guess it wouldn't be a huge leap for "consititution" to be tied to coat color as well.

I know that my fattie (i like to call him Heavy D - the overweight lover's in tha house!) is generally a big cat. He's a few inches taller and longer than his brother.
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Carni Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 11:58 AM
Response to Reply #88
93. My other guys are grey striped as well
The one in the photo I actually think is part siamese because he has blue eyes, but the other fat one I have is very similar to what you just desribed...I have no idea what the deal is with these large grey cats! lol
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Carni Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 11:55 AM
Response to Reply #87
92. LOL! I am not going to tell him anyone said that!
He'd be MOST unhappy LMAO!
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MsTryska Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 12:38 PM
Response to Reply #92
101. *lol* I call mine
fattie all the time....but he runs away from me. which is still cute cuz he waddles and his bellies swings.
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Marr Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 10:55 AM
Response to Original message
7. Ok, clearly we need to find the one individual that mother nature is
so damned pissed at, and send him/her a plane ticket to DC.

I'm all about solutions.
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wanpete Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:54 AM
Response to Reply #7
22. pssst...he's already there...
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KharmaTrain Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:20 AM
Response to Original message
10. Can That Wall In Galveston Handle It? How About San Antonio?
The Gulf Waters are warm and this storm looks like it'll hit the areas Katrina missed...Morgan City all the way to Brownsville.

This is the third storm to get into the real warm gulf waters this season...my hopes are with those in the path of this storm and precautions are taken. We all know now who we can't count on if something big hits.
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yella_dawg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:28 AM
Response to Reply #10
12. San Antonio can handle anything a hurricane can throw at it.
It was built specifically to handle hurricanes.

Primarily by being a hundred miles inland.


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AspenRose Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 12:23 PM
Response to Reply #12
23. But it could flood....
Lived through many floods in SA. Depends on the strength and trajectory of the hurricane.
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SammyWinstonJack Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 12:45 PM
Response to Reply #23
27. You are right. It sure can and has.
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yella_dawg Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 03:21 PM
Response to Reply #23
58. I did '98
and 2001? not a happy thing either time, but not anything like New Orleans.

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crispini Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:14 PM
Response to Reply #12
62. LOL!
:rofl:
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elehhhhna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 12:03 PM
Response to Reply #12
94. SA has hotel rooms avail right now, too. fyi
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Horse with no Name Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:30 AM
Response to Reply #10
14. Going into the Golden Triangle would be another nightmare
scenario. One of the models puts it there.
Port Arthur is 1 ft. above sea level.:scared:
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KharmaTrain Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:38 AM
Response to Reply #14
16. I'm Seeing A Lot More Destroyed Oil Rigs
Hopefully that's the extent of the serious damage. I saw a map which had all the offshore facilities and IIRC 33% of them were in the direct path of Katrina...this would take care of a good chunk of the rest.

History Channel ran a program about the Galveston 1900 storm last week.

I forgot about Port Arthur. Have they ever been hit? That's Janis Joplin's hometown!
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Horse with no Name Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:41 AM
Response to Reply #16
19. They've never suffered a direct hit
They have always been able to skirt.
Yes--it is her home town..thus her famous quote...
"Port Arthur is the asshole of the world and Beaumont is 20 miles up it"
:wow::rofl:
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lastliberalintexas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:27 PM
Response to Reply #19
73. Yes, we did with Bonnie in the mid 80s
She was only a Class 1, though- but still did quite a bit of damage. And of course other than the potential loss of life, the real problem with a hit anywhere on the upper Texas coast is that it takes out many refineries and chemical plants. Bmt/Port Arthur and the Texas City/Freeport areas account for huuuge amounts of our refined gasoline, and the economic impact from a strong storm could be incredible.


And Janis only said that because she never saw Newton County. :)
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prole_for_peace Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:13 PM
Response to Reply #14
32. don't i know it.
i live in beaumont and some of my co-workers are already making plans to head out. my office building if new and has a metal frame. i will probably camp out here if anything happens. evacuating from this area is a total nightmare.
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A-Possum Donating Member (172 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:38 AM
Response to Reply #10
17. Galveston Seawall
The Galveston Seawall is seven miles long and seventeen feet high and protects the city from hurricanes.

On September 8, 1900, a hurricane sent an 8-foot high wave crashing into the city of Galveston, Texas. At that time, Galveston was the state's largest city with 36,000 residents. This hurricane killed 6,000-8,000 people and is considered to be the worse natural disaster in U.S. history. After the hurricane, the city asked retired Army engineer Henry Robert to design a seawall that would be seven miles long and seventeen feet high. Robert designed the wall as asked and also raised the city by pumping sand underneath the buildings. In 1915, the seawall was tested by another hurricane. This time, all but 8 people survived.


Houston is another matter.
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Bridget Burke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 12:47 PM
Response to Reply #17
28. Yes, but Galveston has built beyond the Seawall.
Lots of development farther south on the Island. Anyplace near the water would be in harm's way. Not just Galveston, but any land around Galveston Bay. Evacuating an Island--with one (1) bridge presents a problem. Other areas near the water also have roads subject to flooding.

Houston itself is farther inland. Depending on the storm's strength, many people might safely ride it out. (Not if you live in a trailer, though!) Houston floods, but the waters recede quickly. Then there's the aftermath--power can be out for weeks after even a moderate storm.

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Blue_In_AK Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:13 PM
Response to Reply #28
33. That's right...
I was in Galveston last summer and couldn't believe people built all those beautiful houses west (?) of the seawall. They're up on pilings, to be sure, but it's hard to imagine how they could withstand a storm surge.
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Bridget Burke Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:38 PM
Response to Reply #33
42. NOTHING can withstand a really strong storm surge.
The 1900 storm was only Category 4. Here's a map showing the damage. Some buildings inside the "crinkled" border survived--on the landward side of the Island. NONE survived outside the border--no matter how big they were.

www.gthcenter.org/exhibits/storms/1900/maps/

Building the Seawall & raising the grade of the land behind it was a good idea. But the Island extends further to the South.
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demo dutch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:35 PM
Response to Reply #28
40. Somewhere between Galveston and Houston which means
Houston will be on the worst side, is my view.
http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/hurricane/track_e.html
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Blue_In_AK Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 02:07 PM
Response to Reply #40
53. Well, I hope it just goes away...
I spent my teenage and college years in Houston/Pasadena/South Houston, and Galveston is one of my favorite places. I would hate to see it wiped out, even though I'm glad I don't live down there anymore. I'm sending my strongest hurricane repellant vibes towards the Gulf (I'm not much of a pray-er). I should have concentrated harder with Katrina. :cry:
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demo dutch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 02:15 PM
Response to Reply #53
56. I think the building codes are better in TX. In LA, MS and AL
Edited on Mon Sep-19-05 02:15 PM by demo dutch
the blg codes are a joke compared to FL. Even for buildings on the coast line, so hopefully TX will fare better
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lastliberalintexas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:30 PM
Response to Reply #56
74. Only for newer structures
And really only for anything south of I10. That still leaves a lot of homes very vulnerable.
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Skidmore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:31 AM
Response to Original message
15. Guys, there is going to be quite a few frightened NO survivors
if it heads to Houston. Pray that they are spared a huge storm.
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GOPAgainstGW Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 11:45 AM
Response to Original message
21. No Problem - I have Answer for us Houstonians
Rita is really forming up a hurricane eye the last hour. Galveston/Houston now projected for a direct hit Saturday morning.

But no worries. Motley Crue is playing at the Toyota Center Saturday night where we can all seek shelter before the hurricane, like the N.O. citizens did in the Superdome for Katrina. May have to be an accoustic set with flashlights and no A/C, but what the hell. Motley Crue can sing some of their best songs for us hurricane Rita shelter victims while we wait 5 days for any form of help, hydration, and nutrition. Such Crue classics as:

1. Toilets Overflowing in the Boys Room.
2. Same 'Ol Situation
3. Afraid, and their new hit single
4. "If I Die Tomorrow"




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crispini Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:16 PM
Response to Reply #21
63. LOL!
Very nice. :rofl:
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Liberal In Texas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 12:48 PM
Response to Original message
29. Bend over and get ready for $4 to $5 gas. Just as soon as there is more
oil rig/facility disruption.

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Junkdrawer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 12:51 PM
Response to Reply #29
30. Just said about the same to coworkers during lunch...
BTW: Oil futures are up $3.55 today...

http://www.nymex.com/index.aspx
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Junkdrawer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 02:51 PM
Response to Reply #29
57. FYI: VERY detailed map of oil/gas infrastructure in the Gulf (PDF)...
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Liberal In Texas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:11 PM
Response to Reply #57
61. Good map, thanks...n/t
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MsTryska Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 01:51 PM
Response to Original message
46. can you have a Category 6?
man as soo as it makes it to the Gulf, it's all over.

that hot water will escalate things like crazy, and if it goes on the current path, NO's gonna get caught out there again.

altho it would really suck if it decided to tack N by NE
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nonconformist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 02:00 PM
Response to Original message
50. What cruel irony if it hits Houston, where so many evacuees are. nt
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rainbow4321 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 02:10 PM
Response to Reply #50
54. Dallas just **thought** they were emptying their shelters..
Convention Center just emptied out, Reunion expected to be empty this weekend. What's that saying..."Wanna hear God laugh, tell him your plans for tomorrow"
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mshasta Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:18 PM
Response to Original message
64. karma - global warming???
wherever it is the US is being curse... we just need a freaking earthquake and that will be it!!! The fucking gold already has going up to $466. so…dollar is going down oil will go up for the winter THANKS A LOT IDIOT *!!!:cry: :cry: :cry:
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JackDragna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:28 PM
Response to Original message
67. It's still way too early to warn Houston..
..or anywhere else. Remember, Katrina was going to hit the Florida panhandle, according to early predictions. Everyone in the gulf should keep an eye on this.
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Junkdrawer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 04:44 PM
Response to Reply #67
69. My OP said: "Start making plans and keep a sharp eye on this"...
As for evacuations, see my post #24 where I said:

I think that if you live in a hurricane prone region, you should get used to 2-4 false alarm evacuations each year. Get the car-equipped masses out 72-48 hrs early, evacuate the poor in busses 48-24 hrs next and then concentrate on the invalids during the 24 hrs before the storm.
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Lethe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:05 PM
Response to Original message
70. i live exactly where the last black dot is.....is that bad?
Edited on Mon Sep-19-05 05:10 PM by ikhor
should i be worried?

i'm serious, i've never been around a hurricane.
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Junkdrawer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:12 PM
Response to Reply #70
71. If the path stayed over my home for the next few days, I'd leave...
and I'd be making reservations "somewhere else" now. You can always cancel them later.
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Liberal In Texas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #70
72. Are you on the coast or inland some? (The map is updating so it's hard
to know what black dot your were talking about.)
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Lethe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:33 PM
Response to Reply #72
75. i live a little further inland from houston
not too far from it though
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lastliberalintexas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:39 PM
Response to Reply #75
76. You still have a few days if you're inland
But if I were you, I'd start packing up things that you would want to take with you, such as family photos, "important documents" and other things that can't be replaced. Go to the bank and withdraw some cash if you can. Anything that can be replaced, leave it. Listen to the local authorities- when they ask you to leave, go. But being prepared ahead of time is a must.

If you'll have to ride the storm out, go to the grocery store and buy bottled water and non-perishable foods in the next couple of days.

And then hope that you're on the west side of the storm. :)
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Liberal In Texas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 07:00 PM
Response to Reply #75
84. I would keep an eye on the NOAA website. Heed the warnings. A son lives
Edited on Mon Sep-19-05 07:01 PM by LibInTexas
in Houston, so I'll be keeping up as well. DU'ers will probably also be posting updates. I'm Dallas, and by the time it gets this far it'll probably be nothing but tropical rain.

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gulfcoastliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:40 PM
Response to Original message
77. Finally, God is punishing Texas
And it's about damn time! This one's for the sins of *co and the corrupt state Texas is.*

* - Except for any Texas based DUers. You guys hang tight - I made it through Ivan, Dennis, and Katrina. You should've seen all the threads about how Florida deserved the devastation of the hurricanes here on DU!
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lastliberalintexas Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:43 PM
Response to Reply #77
78. Nah, God already punished us with Midland
This is just nature being nature. :)
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gulfcoastliberal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:48 PM
Response to Reply #78
80. Yeap - just forget to add the ol sarcasm tag.
Too bad HAARP and all their other black projects haven't figured out weather control yet (bet they're trying hard though). Or maybe they have, and this is their sick perverted way of stimulating the economy and creating jobs, * style? :tinfoilhat:
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 05:46 PM
Response to Original message
79. Hm. 2PM Saturday. Right over my house.
Crap.
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Lethe Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 07:50 PM
Response to Reply #79
85. heh me too....
i got a feeling this week might be good for an extended trip to Austin or Dallas.
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mnhtnbb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 12:11 PM
Response to Reply #85
97. DC! Get a plane to DC
and give Bush a dose of compassion!
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Jacobin Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Sep-19-05 07:51 PM
Response to Reply #79
86. Its a roulette wheel right now. Check this out
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oc2002 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 11:09 AM
Response to Original message
91. part of the charm of living near the ocean, is the ocean sometimes come to

visit..

still worth it if you can put up with the season.
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geomon666 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 12:07 PM
Response to Original message
96. Hurricane is still strengthening.
Should be a CAT 2 by tomorrow. CAT 3 landfall is likely. Per local CBS station in Miami.
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geomon666 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 12:14 PM
Response to Original message
98. Rita is officially a Category 2 Hurricane
Just breaking now from local CBS station in Miami. The National Hurricane Center has upgraded Rita in Category 2 status with sustained winds of 100mph.
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GOPAgainstGW Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 12:15 PM
Response to Original message
99. Hurr Rita - Latest Geostat12 - Major Intensification!
Edited on Tue Sep-20-05 12:19 PM by GOPAgainstGW


Excellent Hurr Rita Tracking Site:

This is one excellent consolidated hurricane tracking site I have been using for years.

http://www.crownweather.com/tropical.html#AL18
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Hardrada Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 12:53 PM
Response to Original message
102. Was there not one time an idea to seed clouds
forming a hurricane so they would turn into rain and not be violent storms? Or was I hallucinating that?
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elehhhhna Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 01:01 PM
Response to Reply #102
103. That was probably back when science was still in vogue.
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Richardo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Tue Sep-20-05 04:30 PM
Response to Reply #103
105. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
:rofl::cry::rofl::cry::rofl::cry::rofl::cry::rofl::cry:
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