Hurricane watch issued for Florida Keys

[gldstwmn]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/22/rita/index.html

[DavidMn]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/18/tropical.weather/index.html

Tropical Depression 18 grows in Atlantic

Sunday, September 18, 2005; Posted: 11:50 a.m. EDT (15:50 GMT)


(CNN) -- A hurricane watch has been issued for the Florida Keys as a tropical depression strengthened in the Atlantic, the National Hurricane Center said Sunday.

Tropical Depression 18 formed late Saturday near the Bahamas, and the National Hurricane Center forecasts the storm will intensify as it moves west toward the Keys, Cuba and the Gulf of Mexico.

The hurricane watch extends from Ocean Reef southward and westward to Dry Tortugas, which means hurricane conditions and sustained winds of 74 mph or more are possible within 36 hours.

A hurricane watch also is in effect for the northwest Bahamas.

The storm had top sustained winds of 35 mph, but forecasters predicted it would gain intensity and become Tropical Storm Rita by Monday morning and reach hurricane status by Tuesday morning.

At 11 a.m. ET Sunday, the storm was about 390 miles east-southeast of Nassau, Bahamas, and was moving west at near 12 mph, according to the hurricane center.

The storm should move over the eastern and central Bahamas later today. The hurricane center's advisory said up to 8 inches of rain might fall in the Bahamas.

Forecasters said the storm's projected path would take it through the Straits of Florida between South Florida from Cuba. By Wednesday morning, the storm could become a hurricane and move into the Gulf of Mexico.

A tropical storm warning was issued Saturday night for the Turks and Caicos and southeast and central Bahamas, meaning tropical storm conditions and sustained winds of 39-73 mph are expected within 24 hours.

To the east of TD 18, Tropical Storm Philippe became the 16th named storm of the busy 2005 season Saturday night.

As of 11 a.m. ET Sunday, Philippe's top sustained winds had reached 50 mph, and the storm was expected to reach hurricane strength during the next 24 hours. Its center was about 425 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands, and it was moving north-northwest at about 7 mph.

Philippe's three-day forecast showed the storm heading to the northwest, into the Atlantic. However, forecasters warned people in the central and northern Lesser Antilles to keep an eye on the storm.
Damn, more hurricanes, just what we dont need..... :distress:

[Nixxxed]

Yup. All the Houston TV stations are putting the track directly over my town, as a strong Cat 3 or weak Cat 4. Yeah - big difference. :rolleyes: We spent all day getting our supplies together, and getting ready to board up the house and get the f*ck-outta town.

The kicker? My parents actually had the nerve today to suggest that we were NOT taking my birds with us if we have to evacuate. :laugh: I mean... :laugh:

My reply: "If the birds don't go, I don't go. And you can just come back into town in a week and sponge up our decomposed bodies. That is - if you can find them in the rubble."

The next fight will come tomorrow or Wednesday, as my Dad thinks he's gonna leave the dog here to "guard" the place from looters. (See my reply above, insert "dog" for "birds"... :nod: )

[gldstwmn]

Yup. All the Houston TV stations are putting the track directly over my town, as a strong Cat 3 or weak Cat 4. Yeah - big difference. :rolleyes: We spent all day getting our supplies together, and getting ready to board up the house and get the f*ck-outta town.

The kicker? My parents actually had the nerve today to suggest that we were NOT taking my birds with us if we have to evacuate. :laugh: I mean... :laugh:

My reply: "If the birds don't go, I don't go. And you can just come back into town in a week and sponge up our decomposed bodies. That is - if you can find them in the rubble."

The next fight will come tomorrow or Wednesday, as my Dad thinks he's gonna leave the dog here to "guard" the place from looters. (See my reply above, insert "dog" for "birds"... :nod: )

Stay safe. I hope this thing misses you completely.

[BTFLCHLD]

ohno nixxed...i shall be worrying all night and day on you...pls be safe...thank you for taking a stand for your babies...please get back to us asap... :xoxo:

[SuzeQuze]

Nixxed, I hope the storm misses you and you and yours (including the dog and bird) remain safe. :angel:

[BTFLCHLD]

friend in houston who evac from orleans was told he will have to evac again more than likely wed...these good people need a break from this.

[Nixxxed]

Thanks goldie, suze, & btflchld. Of course, with hurricanes you're never really sure about the path, but they're thinking we'll at least get a good part of it since the storm will be so wide. The track has moved a little to the southwest, so maybe we won't get the worst of the eyewall, but still the dirty side.

Also, Brad is here in TC too. Haven't heard about his situation/plans - can't get PMing to work for some reason. Anyone?

Gotta go finish boarding up windows and firming up evac plans (still waiting to see...) - will check back later. :xoxo:

[BTFLCHLD]

Gotta go finish boarding up windows and firming up evac plans (still waiting to see...) - will check back later. :xoxo: thank you for pulling away to let us know how you are doing...have you been through a storm such as this before? i am sure the animals can sense something is up...how are they doing too? i found out last night that they have flown some 200 animals in from the gulf coast into LA...i am checking today to see about adopting one. pls be safe...

[Livia]

Stay safe, Nixxxed! Keep us posted! :wavey:

[Brad]

Thanks goldie, suze, & btflchld. Of course, with hurricanes you're never really sure about the path, but they're thinking we'll at least get a good part of it since the storm will be so wide. The track has moved a little to the southwest, so maybe we won't get the worst of the eyewall, but still the dirty side.

Also, Brad is here in TC too. Haven't heard about his situation/plans - can't get PMing to work for some reason. Anyone?

Gotta go finish boarding up windows and firming up evac plans (still waiting to see...) - will check back later. :xoxo:

I'm here! :wavey:

We've got reservations in Waco for Thurs, Fri, and Sat nights. Me, my mom, dad, grandma, and beagle in a car for 4 hours to stay 3 nights in a hotel together. Can we say utter hell?? :eek: I at least thought my sister and brother-in-law were gonna go up too, but he's a cop and they're making him stay, so now they're not going. Good friends of mine are going up to their lakehouse and invited me...but of course my parents are having a ****fit, not wanting me to go because they don't want me to be a burden to my friend's family...also I'm sure it's because they want me there as a buffer with my grandma, otherwise my mom would go nuts!

But now my parents are saying that they're probably not going to leave. So, who knows...if they don't leave, that increases my chances of going to the lake...not that the weather will be any good for water activities, but at least there's people there my age to booze it up with for a few days. :nod:

So if you're leaving Chuck, be safe...and take the damn animals with you! My mom would rather leave me behind than our dog! My last day of work was supposed to be Friday, but I managed to change it to noon today, so I'm off the rest of the week. :D

Brad

[Nixxxed]

thank you for pulling away to let us know how you are doing...have you been through a storm such as this before? i am sure the animals can sense something is up...how are they doing too? i found out last night that they have flown some 200 animals in from the gulf coast into LA...i am checking today to see about adopting one. pls be safe...

:laugh: By the time I posted earlier, I was ready for a break. Climbing up and down ladders with big metal window covers, electric drills, etc. is no fun. And Texas is HOT right now with the high pressure that's supposed to steer the storm. And then there are the mosquitoes...

I've been thru a hurricane before - Alicia in 1983. She was a tiny (size-wise) Cat 2, but still did plenty of damage around here. To me, the worst thing about hurricanes is the build-up - a week of stress wondering where it will go. And in 83, I had my first-ever concert to look forward to after the storm (The Wild Heart tour :thumbsup: ). Nothing like incentive to stay alive.

And yeah, the animals know something's up. Makita (the Rottweiler) has dug several huge holes in the back yard, trying to find a good place to hide. And Rocky - oh the screaming. :eek: We have new neighbors next door, and they just don't know what to think. :laugh: I had to explain (in my best broken Spanish) what was making the noise.

Stay safe, Nixxxed! Keep us posted!

:xoxo: If we stay, I'll post up until we lose power. My own version of the concert night play-by-plays. Maybe I'll even go outside and take pics of me doing my best impression of one of those idiot-weather-reporters-in-a-hurricane.

[Nixxxed]

I'm here! :wavey:

We've got reservations in Waco for Thurs, Fri, and Sat nights. Me, my mom, dad, grandma, and beagle in a car for 4 hours to stay 3 nights in a hotel together. Can we say utter hell?? :eek: I at least thought my sister and brother-in-law were gonna go up too, but he's a cop and they're making him stay, so now they're not going. Good friends of mine are going up to their lakehouse and invited me...but of course my parents are having a ****fit, not wanting me to go because they don't want me to be a burden to my friend's family...also I'm sure it's because they want me there as a buffer with my grandma, otherwise my mom would go nuts!

But now my parents are saying that they're probably not going to leave. So, who knows...if they don't leave, that increases my chances of going to the lake...not that the weather will be any good for water activities, but at least there's people there my age to booze it up with for a few days. :nod:

So if you're leaving Chuck, be safe...and take the damn animals with you! My mom would rather leave me behind than our dog! My last day of work was supposed to be Friday, but I managed to change it to noon today, so I'm off the rest of the week. :D

Brad
Oh good - thanks for posting. But I'm afraid your car ride will be longer than 4 hours if you guys leave too. I heard a news report about an hour ago that the last time Galveston voluntarily evacuated, it took people 6-8 hours to get to Alvin. :distress:

Is your brother a TC cop? I worked at City Hall for a while, don't get me started on them. (The administration, not the cops themselves of course.)

Good luck to you and yours as well! Pray that nothing happens to our glorious new orange & black streetlight posts!!! ;)

[lbelle1214]

Hi everybody! It's been awhile....had to take a break!
I don't get to evacuate....I have to work at the hospital on Sat....and my husband is on call. We're putting all the collectables, pictures, etc. in space bags and praying this thing just dies somewhere. Hope all of the rest of you in it's path stays safe!

[Johnny Stew]

This is awful. :(
Chuck, Brad, lbelle1214... I hope that you all remain safe and sound, and that the hurricane doesn't do any serious damage to your homes.

{{{hugs}}}

[lbelle1214]

Voluntary evacuation issued for Galveston....expect to be mandatory on Wed.
:(

[BTFLCHLD]

:laugh: Climbing up and down ladders with big metal window covers, electric drills, etc. is no fun. And Texas is HOT right now with the high pressure that's supposed to steer the storm. And then there are the mosquitoes...

And yeah, the animals know something's up. Makita (the Rottweiler) has dug several huge holes in the back yard, trying to find a good place to hide. And Rocky - oh the screaming. :eek: We have new neighbors next door, and they just don't know what to think. :laugh: I had to explain (in my best broken Spanish) what was making the noise.

:xoxo: If we stay, I'll post up until we lose power. My own version of the concert night play-by-plays. Maybe I'll even go outside and take pics of me doing my best impression of one of those idiot-weather-reporters-in-a-hurricane. sounds like you have good experience in getting your place prepped...best of luck in weathering this storm well...i am glad you are prepared... i feel for your babies...the good news there, even though they are trippin, is that you are there as a their rock steady...i am sure they love you so unconditionally...you are a good care taker...and yes keep us posted a play by play would be interesting...thinking of you and praying for everyone to be safe :angel:

[DavidMn]

Well, I just heard Rita has ben upgraded to a CAT4 now. :distress: Hopefully when it hits Texas, the main eye will pass over that sparsely populated area north of Corpus Christi. At least it looks like its not heading for the New Orleans/Mississippi/Alabama area. :angel:

[Nixxxed]

"And the rain, and the wind, and the WATER!!!!!!!!!!"

We're outta here. Woke up this morning to a Category 4 storm heading our way. Not taking any chances.

I finally got my Dad to agree about taking the dog. Even he agrees it would be sad to leave her, altho I think he's more afraid about having to suffer through me bitching and crying about the dog the whole time we're gone. :laugh: Not to mention my Mom.

Anyway - guess I'm outie for a while. What ever will I do without The Ledge for who knows how long?

Thanks EVERYONE for your well-wishes. And my well-wishes to those of you in Rita's path - Brad, lbelle, and the other Houston area Ledgies. PLEASE get out if you're able, and please be safe.

:xoxo: :xoxo: :xoxo:

[Nixxxed]

"And the rain, and the wind, and the WATER!!!!!!!!!!"

We're outta here. Woke up this morning to a Category 4 storm heading our way. Not taking any chances.

Anyway - guess I'm outie for a while. What ever will I do without The Ledge for who knows how long?

Thanks EVERYONE for your well-wishes. And my well-wishes to those of you in Rita's path - Brad, lbelle, and the other Houston area Ledgies. PLEASE get out if you're able, and please be safe.

:xoxo: :xoxo: :xoxo:

(Yes, it's a duplicate post from the "Hurricane Watch" thread. I'm feeling very needy. :lol: )

[DavidMn]

"And the rain, and the wind, and the WATER!!!!!!!!!!"

We're outta here. Woke up this morning to a Category 4 storm heading our way. Not taking any chances.

Anyway - guess I'm outie for a while. What ever will I do without The Ledge for who knows how long?

Thanks EVERYONE for your well-wishes. And my well-wishes to those of you in Rita's path - Brad, lbelle, and the other Houston area Ledgies. PLEASE get out if you're able, and please be safe.

:xoxo: :xoxo: :xoxo:

(Yes, it's a duplicate post from the "Hurricane Watch" thread. I'm feeling very needy. :lol: )
Hey I was so tired when I posted this, I guess I was too lazy to look through the threads. :sorry: But good luck to you. :angel:

[Nixxxed]

Hey I was so tired when I posted this, I guess I was too lazy to look through the threads. :sorry: But good luck to you. :angel:
Puh-leez - no problem. I'm the one who shifted the topic of the other thread anyway, cuz I was too lazy to start a new one. :laugh:

And thank you very much. :xoxo: We're trying to look at it as a "vacation". Hope we're able to maintain that attitude, but it will be hard not knowing if we have any place to come home to.

[DavidMn]

Puh-leez - no problem. I'm the one who shifted the topic of the other thread anyway, cuz I was too lazy to start a new one. :laugh:

And thank you very much. :xoxo: We're trying to look at it as a "vacation". Hope we're able to maintain that attitude, but it will be hard not knowing if we have any place to come home to.
I remember going to Corpus Christi as a 13 year old and having a Whataburger. good stuff!! Just something to lighten the mood. But seriously though, even if it hits Houston, its away from the coast by like 50 miles, so I would hope the flooding wont be too bad

[estranged4life]

Just saw on the news that the current path of Hurricane Rita will be directly affecting our weather here in Oklahoma...

Hope so, Need some rain...Everything is baked here.

[SuzeQuze]

I'm sorry to hear the Hurricane is headed toward you Nixxxed, Brad, and lbelle. Nixxxed, I'm so glad you are taking the dog with you. How could your dad even think of leaving him behind? Silly dads. Again, take care and y'all are in my thoughts and prayers. (Yes, this yankee said y'all :lol: )

[gldstwmn]

Rita now a category 5

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/21/rita/index.html

[lbelle1214]

Cat 5, 165 mph winds, gusts to 180.....now I'm scared. We have to stay home due to work commitments (hospitals can't close, husband works for Time Warner communications), 5 dogs. Hopefully this 50 year old wood frame house I live in will withstand one more hurricane. God Bless everyone close to Galveston, Texas City, etc....hope you get out quickly and safely..and have somewhere to go. We've called and almost all lodging is booked clear up to Oklahoma. If any of you are also having to stay, please try and be as prepared as you can....water, fill your tubs, food, as much as you can now. My prayers are for all of us to get thru this alive and safe....to meet again here later on a much happier note!

[strandinthewind]

Cat 5, 165 mph winds, gusts to 180.....now I'm scared. We have to stay home due to work commitments (hospitals can't close, husband works for Time Warner communications), 5 dogs. Hopefully this 50 year old wood frame house I live in will withstand one more hurricane. God Bless everyone close to Galveston, Texas City, etc....hope you get out quickly and safely..and have somewhere to go. We've called and almost all lodging is booked clear up to Oklahoma. If any of you are also having to stay, please try and be as prepared as you can....water, fill your tubs, food, as much as you can now. My prayers are for all of us to get thru this alive and safe....to meet again here later on a much happier note!

If it is real bad, I would look into a vertical evacuation. I have no clue if that is available in your area, but sometimes the higher up you are the better. In NOLA the vast majority of the hotels sustained little damage becuase they are 200 MPH proof windows.

Good luck and get plenty of supplies. Also, if you have an old landline phone that does not have to be plugged in to an AC outlet, get that out as they can work sometimes when there is no power.

[estranged4life]

Cat 5, 165 mph winds, gusts to 180.....now I'm scared. We have to stay home due to work commitments (hospitals can't close, husband works for Time Warner communications), 5 dogs. Hopefully this 50 year old wood frame house I live in will withstand one more hurricane. God Bless everyone close to Galveston, Texas City, etc....hope you get out quickly and safely..and have somewhere to go. We've called and almost all lodging is booked clear up to Oklahoma. If any of you are also having to stay, please try and be as prepared as you can....water, fill your tubs, food, as much as you can now. My prayers are for all of us to get thru this alive and safe....to meet again here later on a much happier note!

and to those who are looking for lodging I suggest trying Oklahoma City (Only a 2.5 hour drive from Dallas...Unless yer a 'leadfoot'), We're having great weather for this time of the year (Usually it is raining since the State Fair of Oklahoma has started) and there's plenty of places to visit...

Just leave yer Texas Longhorn stuff behind though, Especially if ya travel to Norman :nod:

Brian "Hurricanes don't frighten me...318MPH tornado winds on the otherhand..." j.

[lbelle1214]

No vertical evacs in this one horse town! And, lucky me, just switched to Time Warner Communications...so if the power goes out....so does the phone, along with the computer, etc. But, somehow we'll manage.

[estranged4life]

our local weather just showed an image that was provided by UT that if Rita keeps her strength and stays on path with Galveston, The impact with Galveston would cause the city will no longer exist since it will be out in Gulf of Mexico completely flooded...

Galveston is protected by 17' seawall, The waves they're predicting will be over 50'.

If you have loved ones in/near Galveston tell them to not play the hero and stay to ride this storm out...They may not live through it.

Another thing that is now bothering me is that once Hurricane Rita has reached land and worked it's way North it will possibly stall over Oklahoma for 24-48 hours as a tropical depression...The weather casters are already predicting anywhere from 6"to 12" of rain, If not more....And severe flooding which hasnt been seen since 1986.

Not to mention the warm air from the tropical depression will meet with a cold front that is starting to head down from Kansas and will stall over Oklahoma on Friday...Warm air + cold air=tornadoes.

Man, this will be a trying next few days...Hope noone has to rely on FEMA :rolleyes:

[gldstwmn]

Please stay safe all Texas Ledgies. :angel:

[strandinthewind]

Please stay safe all Texas Ledgies. :angel:

and get out of the coastal areas if you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This thing is predicted to remain a hurricane all the way to the eye moving over Dallas.

Fortunately, the Weather Channel guy was saying that because this became a Cat. 5 so quickly, there is a good chance it will burn out and be a Cat. 3 when it hits land. let's hope he is correct.

[estranged4life]

just saw a projected track of Rita, She is now turning North a bit....Taking a direct track towards Houston/Galveston with 165MPH substained winds.

[dissention]

just saw a projected track of Rita, She is now turning North a bit....Taking a direct track towards Houston/Galveston with 165MPH substained winds.

This is going to be brutal. On CNN last night, they were saying that if the refineries are hit, be prepared for possibly paying $5 a gallon.

[estranged4life]

This is going to be brutal. On CNN last night, they were saying that if the refineries are hit, be prepared for possibly paying $5 a gallon.

I remember saying that gas would go for $5 a gallon (One of the reasons why Deb is now working 12 hour shifts overnight 2-3 days a week instead of 8 hour shifts 5 days a week, to save on the mileage & gasoline)...

Seems that $5 a gallon may be a minimum price IMO.

Moral to the story: Don't f**k with Mother Nature, She can be a real PMSing bitch, Ask the Gulf States!!!

Brian "Mother Nature 2 Gulf Coast States 0" j.

ps-The Weather Channel stated Oklahoma can expect up to 24" of rain once Hurricane Rita reaches land and turns into a tropical depression that will stall over Oklahoma...."Ah the dire black times have finally arrived, Let the end begin"

[David]

Fortunately, the Weather Channel guy was saying that because this became a Cat. 5 so quickly, there is a good chance it will burn out and be a Cat. 3 when it hits land. let's hope he is correct.What's the surface temperature of the water between the storm & the coast? That's the kicker.

[estranged4life]

What's the surface temperature of the water between the storm & the coast? That's the kicker.

I saw last night the water temp was anywhere from 81-84, So Rita may gain some strength.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT3+shtml/221455.shtml

000
WTNT43 KNHC 221455
TCDAT3
HURRICANE RITA DISCUSSION NUMBER 20
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
11 AM EDT THU SEP 22 2005

RITA APPEARS TO HAVE REACHED ITS PEAK INTENSITY DURING THE PAST
12 HOURS. HURRICANES TYPICALLY DO NOT MAINTAIN SUCH HIGH INTENSITY
FOR A LONG TIME. INITIAL INTENSITY ESTIMATE IS 145 KNOTS. ALTHOUGH
SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE LIKELY DURING THE NEXT DAY OR
TWO...DUE TO EYEWALL REPLACEMENT CYCLES...AN OVERALL GRADUAL
WEAKENING TREND SHOULD TAKE PLACE. THIS WEAKENING TREND IS BASED ON
LOWER OCEANIC HEAT CONTENT ALONG THE FORECAST TRACK AND INCREASING
SHEAR. NEVERTHERELESS...RITA IS EXPECTED TO MAKE LANDFALL AS A
DANGEROUS HURRICANE OF AT LEAST A CATEGORY THREE INTENSITY.

RITA HAS BEEN MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST OR 295 DEGREES AT 8
KNOTS. A STRONG HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM CURRENTLY CENTERED OVER
NORTHERN TEXAS/OKLAHOMA IS EXPECTED TO SHIFT EASTWARD ALLOWING RITA
TO TAKE A MORE NORTHWESTERLY AND NORTHERLY TRACK. THE EASTWARD
SHIFT OF THE HIGH IS FORECAST BY ALL GLOBAL MODELS...RESULTING IN
TRACK GUIDANCE CONSISTENTLY TURNING THE HURRICANE TOWARD THE
NORTHWEST AND NORTH TOWARD THE UPPER-TEXAS OR THE WESTERN LOUISIANA
COASTS. AFTER LANDFALL...STEERING CURRENTS ARE EXPECTED TO WEAKEN
AND THE CYCLONE COULD MEANDER FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS IN THE VICINITY
OF NORTHEASTERN TEXAS...PRODUCING HEAVY RAINS.

BASED ON THE FORECAST TRACK AND WIND RADII...HURRICANE WARNINGS HAVE
BEEN ISSUED AT THIS TIME FROM PORT O'CONNOR TEXAS TO MORGAN CITY
LOUISIANA. TROPICAL STORM WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT ON EITHER SIDE OF
THE HURRICANE WARNING.

FORECASTER AVILA

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INITIAL 22/1500Z 25.4N 88.7W 145 KT
12HR VT 23/0000Z 25.8N 89.9W 140 KT
24HR VT 23/1200Z 26.9N 91.6W 130 KT
36HR VT 24/0000Z 28.2N 93.0W 125 KT
48HR VT 24/1200Z 30.0N 94.5W 100 KT...INLAND
72HR VT 25/1200Z 33.0N 95.0W 45 KT...INLAND
96HR VT 26/1200Z 34.0N 95.0W 30 KT...INLAND
120HR VT 27/1200Z 34.5N 94.5W 25 KT...INLAND


$$

[strandinthewind]

What's the surface temperature of the water between the storm & the coast? That's the kicker.

It is 87 in some parts, but while that is a factor, the storm eventually burns out, as it apparently is doing now. Note - it can easily gain strength in the next cycle if there is time.

[Brwn_eyes0511]

It is 87 in some parts, but while that is a factor, the storm eventually burns out, as it apparently is doing now. Note - it can easily gain strength in the next cycle if there is time.

I just posted a new thread about this. They were discussing how once a hurrican reaches its peak, it usually doesn't last that long. So, lets hope!!!!

[Brad]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Made it up to Waco (home of my alma mater Baylor) this evening, but not without one HELL of a car trip.

Keep in mind that when I would drive back and forth to school, the trip would be 4 hours MAX, usually 3 1/2.

Well, we left yesterday afternoon from Texas City (about 45 miles or so southeast of downtown Houston and 15 minutes from Galveston) at 1:00 PM. We drove NON-STOP (no food, no pee) until 3:00 AM and were just on the other side of Houston...we went 100 miles in over 13 hours. We were so tired, hungry, and on edge from non-stop traffic that I really thought I might go crazy.

So we decide, screw it, we're turning around and going back home and weathering the damn storm. But then we pass a hotel and decide to see if they have any rooms, and for some weird reason, they did. So we stayed near Spring (on the far northwest side of Houston) last night and got started again this morning at 9:00 and went non-stop to Waco and got here at 5:30 PM. Total time to go ~240 miles: 28 1/2 hours, 22 1/2 of which was road time.

One word? RIDICULOUS

Luckily, we managed to not run out of gas. We stopped last night with about 1/2 a tank to go ahead and refill while we could still find it. Good thing, because there was hardly any gas to be found the rest of the way...tons of people pulled over out of gas, overheated, etc. It's been a huge mess. Oh yeah...gas in Waco?...$2.49...NICE! I don't know if you've seen any of the traffic on TV, but there's just no way to describe it. 100 miles in 13 hours? Imagine... My sister said the news is saying that people are waiting hours to get gas...then some of them go to get it and some places for whatever reason won't take cash, only credit cards...I would be PISSED!

Anyway, that's my story so far. I am in the dirtiest, ugliest hotel known to man in Waco...well, that's an exaggeration, but it is pretty bad. We managed to find rooms for the next two nights at a different place, so we are going to switch tomorrow. We're hoping we'll be able to leave Sunday to go back home...but that trip will probably be just as bad especially since there will be rain or wet streets at least.

Everyone take care...hopefully Chuck and lbelle (sp?) and any others that left are doing okay and will make it to their destinations.

Talk to y'all later,

Brad

[wondergirl9847]

My fellow Texan Ledgies, hope you are all safe and sound!! Take care!!

[eclipse]

I can't stop thinking about this storm-keep watching it and just knowing it will be...
So,So devestating and deadly

Frightning...things you cannot control

Everyone affected.
PLEASE be smart and be safe, you're in my thoughts
~~always
eclipse~~

[Mari]

When is it supposed to 'arrive'? Stay safe, everyone.

[estranged4life]

the repaired levees in New Orleans broke once again due to excess rain from Rita...

Hurricane season does not end until November, Why do I get the feeling that the "big one" is lurking out in the Atlantic Ocean somewhere?

[Livia]

The death count from Rita is already at 24 - a bus of evacuees exploded just south of Dallas. :(

CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/23/rita/index.html)

[pianogirl04]

The wind's starting to pick up here...