Storms A Comin': Round 2.

[Pianomahnn]

http://www.stormtracker.noaa.gov/stormtracker-rita.htm

So, currently it's at 175mph max sustained wins. That's quite a hellacious storm.

All you texas folk...watch out for those twisters that like to show up from hurricans.

Damned hella storms.

I've been watching the forcasting of this storm, and save direction, the weather people sure have miscalculated ferocity. This thing went from about cat 1 to mega cat 5 in a little over a day. Saturday's predictions weren't even close to that.

It's probably safe to say that had this storm mosyed a bit closer to Nawlin's (which it really still could), there would be no rebuilding.

So, in a rambling conclusion, good on Houston/Galveston ordering evacuations. Minimal loss of life is good. Massive property damage, not so good.

Oi.

[SimpleSimon]

Boy, am I glad I moved out of Houston. I'll likely see considerable rain from this beast, but not much more than that.

[MuffyTheVampyreLayer]

Freakish weather this year. *shakes head* We just had an early spring, followed by a return to winter. Everything had started to bud and lambing had began, then it snowed like hell again for two days and everything died. Damn.

Stay safe everyone.

[Koliedrus]

This is a good time to search for and post webcam locations.

For now, here's http://www.khou.com/ which carries a live stream of the station's broadcast.

The folks from New Orleans must feel like the Devil himself is chasing them.

(Addendum: New Orleans cam here http://www.mgno.com/)

[Koliedrus]

If you use Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/), there are many people within the global community with skills and heart. They're doing what they can to provide their talents and resources.

After loading GE, go the HELP menu selection and Check For Updates Online. The update is required for some of the most recently posted .kmz placemarks

You'll find information regarding current events here: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/postlist.php/Cat/0/Board/currentEvents

Pay attention to that one as it will change significantly in the days ahead.

The author of a .kmz claims
you can see all hurricanes, storms... positions (live tracking)
Updated every 10 minutes (if datas are updated).
Located here: http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Cat/0/Number/110283/an/0/page/0#110283

I had to update before it would work. Once it did, I saw Rita headed right into Galveston Bay.

According to this morning's news conference, Southbound lanes of I-45 are, for the first time ever, being rerouted to accommodate northbound traffic. Apparently it's a stroke of luck that there is already a contractor working on the interstate and his employees are local; meaning that they can (and have been) quickly mobilized. http://www.khou.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer.pl?title=www.khou.com/chauroad_050922.wmv

Texas, my thoughts are with you. The World's Eye is watching.
Prepare for the aftermath.

[Mudflap]

I'll have to show these Texas newbs how to endure a hurricane.

[Koliedrus]

You're hired! How are the peeps in Ocracoke?

[Asmodeus]

Throws my crewchange into chaos this does. Cause my padner- the guy training me- lives in Galveston and he has already said he ain't leaving till he either knows his house is ok or that repairs are under way. Which, not much point of me being on the boat till he gets there as he is the one training me.

Oh well... anyone have a spare parasail laying about? I need some altitude.

[Pianomahnn]

I just realized something...and its sad I didn't realize this until now.

Many evacuees went (were forced to go) to the Houston area. Storm comin' their way now.

Man, that really sucks for them. Twice. :-/

[Mudflap]

You're hired! How are the peeps in Ocracoke?

Ocracoke is a vacation spot for my family, not a residence.

I've heard no word from any peeps on Ocracoke Island.

[ms. bing]

oh
my
goodness.

to look around here (NE Tx, no less) you'd think the end was near.
today people at work were rushing out to buy, oh my goodness!, flashlights. like you don't have 6 million scented candles sitting on every flat surface of your house. like you're going to be able to find it when the wind rips a hole in your trailer.

people were lining up to buy, oh my gracious!, gas. like your ford F-350 gets more than 12 miles to the gallon. where you gonna go? longview?

my boss sent out a notice to employees to make sure our cell phone numbers were updated on our employee files so they could call if we weren't going to have school on monday. because when we're cowering in a drainage ditch sunday night that's going to be the first thing on our minds. how will i let work know i'm not coming in?

the punchline: the university posted on their website that they will be closed tomorrow to prepare for the hurricane. not to fear, dorm residents! it's a disaster enough to cancel classes, but the on-campus starbucks will be open and operating!

no, i'm not making any of this up.
the battery on my laptop is fully charged, as is the battery on my cell phone. the roof is reinforced on the shed, and both dad and i have at least half-tanks of gas.

catch you folks later.

[SimpleSimon]

Well, if Rita keeps curving north, I'll be off line by Sunday, likely continuing offline for a goodly while. Windstorms shut this town down - all utility lines are aboveground on poles, and it is a heavily wooded city.

Wait and see.

[MuffyTheVampyreLayer]

Saw on the news last night the big convoy of trucks heading your way loaded up with supplies, just in case. I suppose the only good thing that can be said about what happened in New Orleans is that at least no one is taking it lightly this time. Hope it's not too rough.

[mute]

I hope another one happens after this, and hopefully it's even worse. Then, maybe, the people of Earth will maybe start to get the point.

Up here, because of stupid rumors that our gas prices were going to hike up to 2$ a litre (from 1.10$ a litre) people lined up outside gas stations to fill up. Funny thing is, THEY HAVEN'T GONE UP YET, LIKE THEY WERE 'SUPPOSE' TO.

[Mudflap]

Locally, gas prices went up ~40¢ per gallon yesterday.

As in, it was ~$2.43/gallon in the morning and then ~$2.80 by late afternoon.

[Barbie]

Locally, gas prices went up ~40¢ per gallon yesterday.

As in, it was ~$2.43/gallon in the morning and then ~$2.80 by late afternoon.


Canadians are paying for Americans tradegy

In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland/Labrador, gas increased by $0.75/L. up to $2.10/L that equals 4.94 /g (US)

That's bullshit.

The Fleecing of North Americans!

[Koliedrus]

Locally, gas prices went up ~40¢ per gallon yesterday.

As in, it was ~$2.43/gallon in the morning and then ~$2.80 by late afternoon.

I filled at $2.99 this afternoon. Came home, watched some khou.com and saw a report from one of the filling stations on I-45.

Just as a long-awaited tanker pulled in, an employee rushed outside and changed the price for regular unleaded from $2.79 to $2.99.

If Rita were to evaporate magically right now, there would still be a storm.

[SimpleSimon]

Those emergency message signs the highway dept uses to adise of problems are getting overtime use here - the message reads:

<marquee>Evacuees continue north - local shelters full</marquee>

[Billyman]

Went up? To $2.80? Pfffffft, we haven’t been down to anything close to $2.80 since before the last bitch hit. Talking to the owner of Go-Gas (you’re familiar with Co. Tripp) today, he said he’s already received note and that we would be expecting like $6.00 a gallon.

Bing honey, I hate to tell you, but you are in for one hell of a surprise. Hole through a trailer……Bwahahahahahahhahaah…….how about one relocated…..like in wrapped around that tree 50 to 100 yards away.

Will those scented candles illuminate a house night after night with no power for WEEKS?

The roof on the shed is reinforced? Teehee! What shed?................it use to be here….. :wtf:

[Pianomahnn]

It appears to be raining in Texas.

Quite heavily, I might add.

[Koliedrus]

In some ways, I'm glad that I couldn't watch the track of the storm while it happened last night. That westward shift at 0300GMT (indeed, the entire run for landfall) must have frayed nerves already worn raw.

Couple of grabs using the stuff posted above.

[Mudflap]

Got some wind & rain. A few small branches knocked down, but everything at our home is fine. Now we'll see what happens over the next few days as the rain is supposed to continue. We're about to get a mite soggy.

Any word from SSimon and slh?

[Escape Artist]

They were off of the chatroom when I'd visited it, suspect they have lost cable access or power.

Glad to see you fags are okay there. :)

[Mae]

I have not heard anything bad yet. (Bad news has winged feet in our family.) So it is safe to assume that all is fairly well with them?... I hope.

[jules]

from another forum, I found it sort of funny:

jlane: Hey Pi its going to rain this weekend, you might want to get the fuck out of dodge.
Pi: (Indian subcontractor on project in Houston): Oh, some rain will be nice. It will cool off things.
jlane: Pi its going to rain a lot, your hotel room is on the first floor by the galleria, you need to leave.
Pi: Oh, a nice rain will be nice.
jlane: Pi, I am understating the obvious here and its not translating. Category 5 hurricane. make typhoon look like small child blowing bubbles. Get in rental car and go north on 45 now.
Pi: I never seen ocean, maybe I drive to ocean to see waves.
jlane:Pi, vaya con dios, amigo.
Pi: This con deeeeooos is a rap artist, no?

exit jlane to airport

[ms. bing]

"after the flood all the doves came out"

bad news:
the red cedar tree in our backyard broke and knocked out the power all up and down the street overnight.

good news:
i'm getting red cedar hardwood floors.

roof stayed on, shed's still there, neighbors are still there (unfortunately in some cases), and the sun is shining beautifully today. now if you'll excuse me, i have to get my chainsaw. it's time to go to church.

[Pianomahnn]

i have to get my chainsaw. it's time to go to church.

Uhm....eh?

[Mudflap]

Weather forecasters were way off the money. Where's all the rain they said to expect?

[Billyman]

Well folks, I’m certainly happy and glad that nothing was as bad as it was suppose to be and you are all faring well (Mud, my Mom was asking about you guys).

Mudflap knows what a real hurricane can do and Rita was a bitch that punked out so consider yourselves very lucky. I guess the size Tejas scared her aye? And the sky is never so clear, beautiful and bright until after a tornado or hurricane. It’s nature’s way of saying “have a good look and what I’ve done and can do”.

Anywayz, again, very glad to see everyone is ok and your damage was minimal.

[jules]

now if you'll excuse me, i have to get my chainsaw. it's time to go to church.
finally, someone agrees with me.

[SimpleSimon]

We lost power at 8:40 AM on Saturday, got it back at 12:06 PM on Sunday. Storm wasn't bad here at all. Some strong wind, a lot of rain, but nothing like what was predicted.

Bing, I regret to inform you that western red cedar is a VERY soft wood, entirely unsuitable for flooring. Line a closet with it.