Then Came Rita

That means we won't hear from you. Eek... Do you have anyone here's phone number so you can call by cell phone if cell phone works? or regular phone?

Hope we will hear that you are okay sooner than three weeks

I am all worried now about our A2Kers in Texas. Please take care of yourself! If nothing else came out of Katrina, let the one thing that did be knowledge. Get thee outta there!

I have shewolf's number. I can give her a ring, I am certain.

Here is the latest NOAA update on Rita. Hope you folks in east Texas have immediate and pressing business in New Mexico that must be attended to.

ATTN...WFO...BRO...LIX...LCH...HGX...CRP...


WTNT63 KNHC 212351
TCUAT3
HURRICANE RITA TROPICAL CYCLONE UPDATE
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
650 PM CDT WED SEP 21 2005

...RITA BECOMES THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE ON RECORD...

DROPSONDE DATA FROM AN AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT AT 623 PM CDT...2323Z...INDICATED THE CENTRAL PRESSURE HAS
FALLEN TO BELOW 899 MB...OR 26.55 INCHES. THE DROPSONDE INSTRUMENT
MEASURED 32 KT/35 MPH WINDS AT THE SURFACE...WHICH MEANS IT LIKELY
DID NOT RECORD THE LOWEST PRESSURE IN THE EYE OF RITA. THE CENTRAL
PRESSURE IS PROBABLY AT LEAST AS LOW AS 898 MB...AND PERHAPS EVEN
LOWER. FOR OFFICIAL PURPOSES... A PRESSURE OF 898 MB IS ASSUMED...
WHICH NOW MAKES RITA THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE IN TERMS OF
PRESSURE IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN. SOME ADDITIONAL DEEPENING AND
INTENSIFICATION IS POSSIBLE FOR THE NEXT 12 HOURS OR SO.

RITA CURRENTLY RANKS BEHIND HURRICANE GILBERT IN 1988 WITH 888 MB
AND THE 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE WITH 892 MB.

FORECASTER STEWART


http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCUAT3+shtml/212351.shtml

I just pm'd you my number, edgar. Shewolf lives much closer!

Austin appears to be directly in the path of the storm, as well. ETA is 1 p.m. Saturday.

Time to stock up on charcoal a la Edgar.

Good thing my smoker's nice and heavy....

Stay safe, edgar. If they call a mandatory evacuation for your area you should hightail it outta there!

Er, Edgar, you wouldn't be firing up any charcoal indoors, right????

The last forecast I read expected 100mph winds in Houston.

They expect further strengthening before it hits Galveston/Corpus Cristi.

My thoughts are with you, and anyone else in this storm's path.

Thanks everybody. I could in an emergency fire up the fireplace with charcoal, but generally like to get away from the building. Our code calls for ten feet away from the wall.

DrewDad, Shewolf, Edgar, and anyone else along the Texas coast -- Take special care, don't be heroes, and please know we are all keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

I talk bravely, but I'm a quivering mass of nerves. Don't tell anybody. I want to be a legend like Davy Crocket when I go.

If you can make it through Bush you can make it through Rita.

Hell/heck yeah.

Good response, Amigo. I was trying to figure out what to say. I'd be nervy too.

Edgar, I know you are fairly well situated, and probably have some food and water at hand. Still..
This is so not my business, but I know you try to be around to help people all the time. I can see lining up aid for folks, but please take care of yourselves.

That's my last nag. I respect your decisions.

Edgar--

Remember "boil in a bag"--makes a nice change from charcoal grilling.

How I can consider you a highly intelligent man and an evacuation nincompoop at the same time, I do not know.

Hold your dominion.

I have no answers, except, Who ever heard of a category six hurricane? Holy crap!

Don't even think it!

Edgar,
I know you to be a sensible man. Don't take chances.

I live 200 miles inland and 500 feet above sea level, but Fran devastated my neighborhood in '96.

I now take them all seriously, and this one looks like a whopper.

Be safe.

I'm serious about category six. Some reporter said that they may have to so designate this one.