RITA projected to go right over...CRAWFORD, TX

[gasperc]

Karma's a bitch

Here are the links to the maps. If anyone knows how to overlay the maps the would be neat. Please post.

See for yourself. Texas is, how can we say, fucked. Looks like the storm will hit Texas dead center and then drive itself right up through the state for a day.

map of Texas, click on state on the left to zoom out
http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?addr=&csz=crawford%2C+tx&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=

5 day projection of Rita
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3%2Bshtml/144728.shtml?5day?large

[leftofthedial]

1. I've heard of hurricanes raining fish and debris as they move inland

do hurricanes ever rain shit?

[gasperc]

3. oh the irony

that this storm is tracking RIGHT OVER CRAWFORD.

What are the odds, maybe Bush's direct line to God has it's line crossed

"God told me to stike at Iraq" George W Bush to Abbu Abass

[mestup]

6. Maybe a "working vacation" for Bush on the horizon?

After all, he knows how to clear brush.

[Dr.Phool]

37. Too bad they already used the name Cindy

Earlier this year. That would really be Karma.

[mermaid]

5. They Might

if they went over a certain pig ranch and picked up pigshit and carried it up into the storm.

Serves the son of a bitch right, though, if HE got to sit and drown while no help came! Pity for the rest of Crawford, but, hey, karma's a bitch, and it's time Bush and Larry Northern got theirs back.

[SnowGoose]

33. If it did, they'd have to rename it:

Hurricane George.

[aquart]

2. My sister pointed out that there are good people in Crawford.

The newspaper people, the people who brought food, the ones who gave permission to camp on their land...

May the storm treat them gently.

[gasperc]

7. Yes, they are the blessed one's

may they be spared

[Larkspur]

8. Yes, and may Rita flatten Dubya's Crawford mansion with a tornado and

miss all his neighbors. I'd love to hear Pat Robertson's explanation if that was the case.

[rkc3]

32. If you look closely you can see Halliburton's corporate logo in the

satellite photos of Rita - it's obviously a sign from Jerry Falwell that bush crossed the line.

[SammyWinstonJack]

54. He'll just rebuild with a nice front porch where he can sit while

Pickles sweeps up. I really hope Rita isn't headed this way. :scared:

[wryter2000]

24. Amen

Crawford, Texas isn't the problem. Bush and his cronies are.

[pepperlove]

29. and amen! n/t

[melissinha]

4. holy crap

its coming inland that much?

I LIVE in Texas.

THough I doubt it would carry anything past the coast as far as Austin. I do feel very worried for Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi... and especially the Katrina Evacuees.

[Wickerman]

10. That would be like a Hurricaine hitting ground on the East Coast

and finding Ohio, I'd guess. :shrug: You might find it storming a bit, sometimes it'll kick up a tornado or two is my guess.

Not that I wouldn't want to see the Pig Farm in the path (entirely evacuated, of course) but its unlikely.

[DoYouEverWonder]

18. Hurricanes can do a lot of damage inland

Look at Hurricane Hugo, most of the damage was all the way up in Charlotte. Even last year, there were parts of the Blue Ridge and Smokies that took a lot of damage from the hurricanes that hit FL.

Don't worry. This storm is tracking right over W's beloved pig farm and I would say his gawd is trying to send him a message.

[gasperc]

11. stock up, and take precautions, expect heavy rains

It's already a CAT 2 and it just past the keys. There is still 500miles of above average warm water to go over. They might have to make a new CAT 6 rating for this bitch

[Dudley_DUright]

38. projected to hit category 4 anyway, but after seeing

Katrina intensify quickly in the gulf, who knows?

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT18/refresh/AL1805I_sm2+gif/205128P_sm.gif

[CottonBear]

13. Hurricanes go way inland depending on their strength.

My grandparents evacauted from Frederick back in 1979(?) in Gulf Shores,AL and the storm blew all the way to Chattanooga, TN where my family was living. A few years ago, Opal blew the roof off of my sotrage shed in Northeast Georgia.

[mermaid]

25. My Prayers Are With You and My Old Hometown!!

Austin's my old hometown, and, as I pointed out...though rare...a hurricane passing over austin is not unheard of. In which case, I sure hope you don't live near Shoal Creek, the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, or Montopolis!!

My prayers are with you!

[tammywammy]

57. Expect rain in Austin

Once a hurricane hits land it dramatically decreases in strength. I'm in the DFW area, and we expect thunderstorms, but nothing worse than a normal spring-time shower. :)

I wouldn't be too worried in Austin, just expect rain, a lots of it.

[mermaid]

63. And That Is Exactly What You Should Worry About In Austin!!!

Austin is not well-equipped to deal with the kind of hard-driving fast and furious rainfall that can well be expected from Rita.

As I and others who live..or have lived, in Austin have pointed out...the ground in austin is dry and hard-packed, it doesn't do well with torrential dounpours, the ground cannot soak up the water fast enough, and that causes flooding. Austin is VERY prone to flash flooding.

Additionally, being as Austin is surrounded by mountains to all but the East Side...and that the ground actually rises from downtown to the East before levelling off...there is nowhere for the water to really drain TO.

Town Lake ends up overrunning it's banks, and fifth and Sixth Streets get massive flooding. The only conduit for the water out of Austin is downstream, via the Colorado River...which Town Lake is a part of.

Anyway, the areas around Shoal Creek, The Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, and near the airport, and Montopolis are all very prone to severe flooding, even without a hurricane! Hell, I remember three years ago when Lamar Boulevard, downtown, near Shoal Creek....was under FIVE FEET of water. And the official rainfall total that time was in the neighborhood of 5 to 7 inches. Now, imagine what Hurricane Rita might do...especially if it dumps, say 12 to 15 inches, and it may well do that!

I'm praying for you, Austin! I may have had to leave town for economic reasons, but you are still my hometown at heart, and I wish I could've stayed...you're home in my heart, and I'll be praying for y'all in Austin!

[Rude Horner]

9. Keep in mind

Texas has had hurricanes before. I wouldn't exactly say they're "fucked". I mean, the reason New Orleans was a disaster was the whole below-sea level/levee's thing. There will be some flooding and wind/rain damage, but probably nowhere near what it was like with Katrina.

[gasperc]

14. the coast will get whacked, and there is 24% of refining

in that area, so we are all going to feel another whack if it doesn't miraculously change projection path

[mermaid]

31. Austin Could Be Fucked

Those of you who do not understand the geography of Texas would do well to understand that Austin is something of a bowl, though it is, at lowest point 500 feet above sea level. BUT, there are low-lying areas of town that would sustain severe flood damage if any sort of hurricane manages to get that far...and they can! I know, I have lived there!

You should understand Austin is virtually surrounded by mountains, and the water has almost nowhere to GO. Austin has had plenty of flood problems in the past, even without a hurricane! Hell, I remember 3 years ago having 5 feet of floodwater along Shoal Creek!

[txindy]

43. All flatlands to the east of Austin. It does suffer major flooding, tho.

What would worry me would be the major highway construction all around that city. Everywhere one drives in Austin it seems there are new highways springing up. That usually means less drainage where needed. Anyone downtown or out by the dam needs to be very careful, as well.

Well, shoot, if it hits Austin, it's too close for me. :scared: We wouldn't flood, but we'd be cut off. Time to stock up!

[mermaid]

51. True, But

there's no DOWNHILL to the east of Austin. There's still nowhere for the water to GO. This is due, in part, to construction, like you mentioned...but is also due, in part that the land actually RISES from downtown to the east, then levels off. This is why downtown floods very easy...especially along Shoal Creek, and Lamar Boulevard.

And it is also why the east side of town can flood pretty easy...lack of good drainage, and overdevelopment in recent years. But for the east side, Austin IS virtually surrounded by mountains.

[txindy]

52. Very true, plus, if it's a hard rain, the runoff will be extreme

The flash flooding will be everywhere. The ground here in Central Texas is compacted and dry, so a driving rain won't soak in. And, you're right, there's no downhill to East Austin, so no way to drain the water. I hadn't thought of it quite that way before, but it's true.

This is not good. I'm particularly concerned about San Antonio. It's got even more problems than Austin, I'm afraid, for many of the same reasons. For both of them to take a hit would really hamper any relief efforts.

Your username is very apropos for this weather! :hi:

[mermaid]

62. Very True

Eaxctly why Austin floods like it does...mountains on all sides, except East...but no downhill to the East Side. If anything, the ground RISES, from downtown to the east...and then levels off...though there are some low-lying areas in East Austin, near the airport and Montopolis that could be severely affected.

Where I used to live, near Oltorf and 35...well, that area could easily become a small island, surrounded entirely by flooded out sections.

and yes, San Antonio has even worse problems than Austin. But, I still have friends in Austin that I am extremely concerned about. Don't know anyone in San Antonio anymore...my one and only friend from there moved to Kentucky.

And, yes...if both S.A. and Austin took bad hits, relief efforts would be very tough. In fact, with the Katrina evacuees currently in Houston...plus Galveston, Houston, S.A., Austin, and Dallas all in the "hit zone" this could be really, really bad. Especially if Rita goes right up the I-35 corridor...and it very well might do exactly that. The estimated track seems to indicate such a storm track is likely.

Incidentally, my username has nothing to do with weather...I have been Mermaid on here for years now. Sometime, in a different thread, or by private message, I'll explain what is behind my username if you are interested.

[Silverhair]

12. I hope so. Ellis county needs the rain - badly.

By the time it gets that far inland, all it is only a LOT of rain.

[maine_raptor]

15. Just a wild thought here

Suppose, somehow, the ranch got flooded and Babs had to be rescued via chopper like we saw in New Orleans. Does the Air Force/Navy/Coast Guard have one with enough lift capacity?

[CottonBear]

16. Does god hate Bu$h?

:shrug:

[0rganism]

21. The religionists will blame the Crawford Peace House

Anywhere there are liberals, pacifists, minorities, or heathens, God is likely to shower his wrath.

[jilln]

39. And that would support the idea that * is the chosen one...

because it would mean that God had a built-in delay just like *

[htuttle]

17. Looks like it might rip through Texas City, too

Isn't that where most of the only refineries still working after the last hurricane are?

This could get even more interesting...

[lastliberalintexas]

55. Not only Texas City

Lake Charles, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Baytown and Houston all have major refinery operations as well.

[htuttle]

56. I looked up some refinery figures for the Texas coast

Here's what I found:

(Production figures are for Barrels per Calendar Day)
Port Arthur 773,500
Texas City 718,950
Corpus Christi 586,126
Baytown 557,000
Houston 353,200
Beaumont 348,500
Deer Park 333,700
Sweeny 229,000
Sunray 158,327
Borger 146,000
Pasadena 100,000
Three Rivers 90,000
Big Spring 61,000
Tyler 55,000
San Antonio 10,308

[gasperc]

58. oh Texas city and Port Arthur the top dogs, nice

:kick:

[lala_rawraw]

19. Maybe the Secret Service can run ahead and secure the

Storm... :D

[mermaid]

20. Looks That Way

Kinda makes me glad I'm not in Austin, anymore, because it looks like Austin will be feeling the effects of Rita as well.

Now, it's rare, indeed, for Austin to experience a hurricane, or even a tropical storm, but it has happened before, and I've been there to see it, and the results aren't pretty.

Austin has a severe drainage problem in certain parts of the city, most notably, near Shoal Creek...which is actually a richer section of town, as well as a huge part of the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone...mostly in southwestern and western Austin, again, richer areas.

Also, some of the poorer sections, such as Montopolis, in the southeast portion of the city, and near the new airport...are notorious flood zones.

I lived smack-dead between these two flood zones, so I probably woulda been okay...but virtually trapped in my own little island, with drowning folk all around me.

[wryter2000]

22. I don't wish the people of Texas ill

But LA, MI, AL, and FL can't take any more.

[txindy]

46. True, but where do you think many of those evacuees went? Texas

They don't need to be hit again, either.

[randr]

23. First Katrina takes out the oil wells

Now Rita attacks Crawford?
Maybe there is some form of intelligent design is all this.

[Mr_Spock]

26. Well, I hate to do this, but I hope a certain ranch is destroyed

Karma - if ya know what I mean...

[Angry Girl]

27. >>> OVERLAY PICTURE HERE <<<<

Be still my beating heart.

[FreeCajun]

35. Northwest corner of the storm... worst place to be

Guess that's what happens when you piss off a few thousand square miles populated by devout voodoo priests and priestesses, eh? Let's hope people can get out of there.

[txindy]

49. Those voodoo priest and priestesses must not be too bright, then.

Either that or they don't care about the tens of thousands of New Orleans and Gulf Coast evacuees in Texas. If they want to curse people, let them curse specific people. When the Texas coast gets nailed, not only will the previous Gulf Coast evacuees suffer - again - but the general population will see gas/oil prices skyrocket beyond reach for many.

I hope the devout voodoo priests and priestesses now living in Texas brought their floaties. They may need them, too.

[gasperc]

40. Excellant!!!! Thanks!!!!, it's almost exactly over Crawford WTF!!

:silly:

[gasperc]

45. I wish that map had Texas City, and we bitched about $3.39 gas

only knows WTF havoc this thing will cause

[txindy]

47. It'll shoot up to $4.39, maybe, IF it is available, at all

If the Texas coast gets nailed, gas/oil prices will go through the roof and out of the atmosphere.

[NNadir]

28. I think it's time to vacation at Camp David!

Bush must be very tired to have done all this work this week, so I'm sure he needs a vacation.

In order that he remain continuously "out of harm's way," I guess he'll be heading for Camp David.

I'll bet too, that there's a huge FEMA response to rebuilding his porch.

[eleny]

30. Today's Gulf temps - Sept. 20th

[Alamom]

34. Crawford will most likely just get some rain. Sadly, it looks like

Louisiana will get more rain too if Rita stays on this course.

[MsUnderstood]

44. THe problem is. . .

The hurricane didn't do the damage to New Orleans, the FLOODING did.

Crawford will be locked down and suffer little damage, while the poor in texas, and poor souls in NO, will experience more suffering.

Meanwhile, the president can go anywhere to vacation. . .

[calimary]

36. Awww... pity, isn't it?

Bill Maher had a great quote the other night:

"...So, yes, God does speak to you. What he is saying is: 'Take a hint.' "

:evilgrin:

[Mari333]

41. My son is driving from Austin to Houston today

to gather up his wifes mother and grandparents, and bring them back to Austin..the grandparents are in Galveston. Looks like its going to be a doozy.

[derby378]

42. I don't think any hurricane is strong enough to venture that far inland

Dallas is pretty much hurricane-proof, but a Category 4 or 5 could throw some outer spiral arms over downtown Big D.

Hurricanes are not our main concern. Tornadoes, on the other hand, are. Research what one tornado managed to do to next-door Fort Worth back in March 2000.

[gasperc]

48. I think it could create tornadoes as it moves up

the coast, rains and flooding are certain, but some of the areas could us the rain

[Lorien]

61. Oh yeah? my neighborhood was that far away from landfall when Charley hit

last year, and several homes were destroyed by falling trees in my area. We didn't have power for two weeks in August heat-no comparison to NOLA, but it sure wasn't fun.

[catmandu57]

50. Betcha the pig farm

will get repaired pronto, and guess who's going to pay for it. The people whose houses and lives were destroyed by Katrina will still be waiting to rebuild while the workmen will be all over that sorry excuse of a ranch. Fuck You gw, I hate this miserable piece of excrement.

[methinks2]

53. yes . . . there is a God

:woohoo:

[gasperc]

59. kick

:kick:

[Lorien]

60. Wow, Crawford is about as far away from where she'll make landfall as

Orlando is from Punta Gorda, FL-and Charley did a number on us!

Though * deserves to know the hell of a hurricane, I wouldn't wish such a storm on anyone else!

[mermaid]

64. Well, My Prayers May Be Being Answered

It is looking more and more like Austin may well dodge the bullet on Rita here. NOAA is tracking this storm more to the north, sooner...meaning it will not come as far west as it once appeared, meaning Austin may well end up dodging the bullet on this one. I really hope so!

There's people I care about in Austin!

Austin, my prayers are still with you!