- Hurricane Rita now Category 4 storm

[Stan]

- Hurricane Rita now Category 4 storm with top sustained winds near 135 mph, according to National Hurricane Center.

I am expecting the Religious Right to say this happened because American has turned away from God....

[K]

That's ok Stan because I am sure our Muslim friends around the world are saying the same thing.

K

[Dr. Shane]

I don't think we need to get politics involved in this. I don't expect any political fall out from this storm like what we saw with Katrina. We are entering a active cycle and should be having a lot of these storms for the next 10 or 20 years.

Texas is doing an excellent job at getting people evacuated and shelters set up for those needing shelter. It is being predicted to go in just south of the Houston area which means Houston is going to be on the east side or the ugly side of the storm.

At this point, we are just suppose to get thunder storms out of it. Yet these things can change speed and direction so quickly we won't know for sure until just before it makes landfall.

[Neil D]

For those in the path of the hurricane and unable or willing to weather it out...

Make sure your bathtub(s) is full of water. Make sure you are stocked up on food and wood for burning and have your camping equipment at the ready.

It's hunkering down time.....

And if you are able to leave, whatcho doing reading this????

[Naomi]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Shane said:

I don't expect any political fall out from this storm like what we saw with Katrina.

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Shane, you are probably right about that. The Federal Guys were ordered to move to Texas yesterday.

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We are entering a active cycle and should be having a lot of these storms for the next 10 or 20 years.

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It is my understanding that they run in 40 year cycles. What part does Global Warming play in the severity of the storms?

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Texas is doing an excellent job at getting people evacuated and shelters set up for those needing shelter.

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People are being told to go North, not West into Texas or needless to say, East. The reports to the people in the areas of probability that Rita may hit are being told TEXAS IS FULL ... DO NOT GO!!

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Yet these things can change speed and direction so quickly we won't know for sure until just before it makes landfall.

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You got that right. When it hits the hot water, it becomes unpredictable.

Now they are saying it may hit in the Galvaston area. Further south would have fewer people at risk.

What impresses me is the people of New Orleans are having massive prayer requests, not for God to spare them and allow the storm to hit someplace else, but that the storm will dissapate and no one's life or property will be in danger.

[Naomi]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Stan Jensen said:

- Hurricane Rita now Category 4 storm with top sustained winds near 135 mph, according to National Hurricane Center.

I am expecting the Religious Right to say this happened because American has turned away from God....

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LOL I believe you can "take that to the bank."

[Amelia]

[:"blue"]*I would expect them to say that God sent Rita because of the shoddy way His people were treated after Katrina. Didnt learn the first time? OK lets try this lesson again. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/seenoevil.gif" alt="" /> [/]

Rita now Category 5

[]http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/WEATHER/09/21/rita/top.1644.rita.infrared.noaa.jpg[/]

The storm could be the most intense hurricane on record ever to hit Texas - AP.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/nati...tropicalweather

Houston mayor orders partial evacuations

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/nati...tropicalweather

[K]

I'm 3 hours away from the coast. We are expecting lots of rain, and wind. We have been getting people from Katrina flown into our hospital to clear out the hospitals further south.

I went to Wal-Mart to pick up prescriptions and people were 4 deep for gas @2.45 a gallon. Everyone was filling their carts with water. Ton's of people everywhere getting ready for ??????

Pray for the huge amount of people moving on the highways to get north.

K

[Michelle]

Speaking of WalMart--a woman on my homeschool listserv said that her BIL, who is an asst. manager in a Walmart in/near Galveston, and the store manager told them that any manager who evacuates will be fired--they are expected to stay and basically live in the store to prevent looting.

Go Walmart!

M

[Naomi]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Michelle said:

Speaking of WalMart--a woman on my homeschool listserv said that her BIL, who is an asst. manager in a Walmart in/near Galveston, and the store manager told them that any manager who evacuates will be fired--they are expected to stay and basically live in the store to prevent looting.

Go Walmart!

M

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Michelle, What your friend told you may well be true, however after reading your post I called a Walmart Manager in Texas City, just across the bridge from Galveston. I have deal with him for a long time and he said the only word they had had was to close at 8pm tonight until further notice...to evacuate.

Perhaps he isn't telling me the truth, but I think I know him well enough to believe he is being truthful.

In a minute I will attempt to call someone I know who works for Walmart HQ in Bentenville, AK and see if they can tell me yes or no. I think it deserves a truthful answer.

Naomi

[Dr. Shane]

I don't know how important it is for Wal-Mart to protect itself from looting but they could take all their guns and ammo with them when they bug out.

[prophecies]

*Her-A-Cane Rita now a Cat 5. Hopefully, this hurricane dies down a few cats before hitting the coastlines to reduce property damage.

Question. Why are people told to fill bathtubs with water during hurricanes?

Any biblical lessons from this? *My asterisk was for the thought of how there are about to be 2 record-breaking hurricanes to hit us this year. And they were both females. Notice how it will be 2 females metaphorically to bring about the mark of the beast: Mother and Her Harlots.

I pray that God's hand of mercy may reduce this storm's intensity. Nethertheless, not my will, but His will be done.

[Bravus]

It's astonishing how quickly Rita moved from Cat 1 to Cat 5. Still not claiming it's all global warming/global climate change, but it's a result of warmer waters in the Gulf powering these hurricanes, and it's at least plausible that that warmer water is due to global climate change.

One other factor to consider:

Just saw a report that, with 17 named hurricanes so far this season, it’s the fifth busiest hurricane season (with one tie above it) since record-keeping began in 1851. The record so far is 21 hurricanes in a full season in 1933. According to the Associated Press “19 developed in 1995 and 1887 and 18 formed in 1969". Remember that the hurricane season runs until November 30, and we’re less than halfway through it, so I’d be astonished if this doesn’t end up being a record year.

[Dr. Shane]

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Why are people told to fill bathtubs with water during hurricanes?

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It may be the only fresh water a person has when the water preasure is lost in the water main. One should also have plenty of bottled water. It is also good to buy 5 gallon buckets at Home Depot and have 20 - 40 gallons of tap water in them to be used in the toilet.

Next year my wife and I plan to start building our master bedroom addition in which one of the master closets will be a storm shelter. The walls will be built out of concrete block with the cells reinforced with steel and concrete. The ceiling will be reinforced concrete with a 50 gallon water resevoir tank on top of it (which means it will be in the attic). Red electrical outlets will be connected to a secure generator outside. Now if the hurricane can just wait until we are finished to hit us, we will be ok.

[prophecies]

Thanks, Shane

[Dr. Shane]

Joe Bastardi, Acru Weather's hurricane expert, tells of a hurricane in the 60s that went from cat 1 in the Bahamas to cat 5 in the Florida Keys!!! He also tells of one that ran up the Atlantic seaboard and hit Conneticut with a sea surge.

He is like me. While he won't say global warming isn't happening, he sees no evidence of it in the hurricane cycle.

[Amelia]

NHC head says hurricane activity to stay elevated

By Mark A. Hofmann

September 21 12:04:00, 2005

WASHINGTON—The current period of above-average hurricane activity could last another 20 years or even longer, according to the director of the National Hurricane Center.

"The 1940s through the 1960s experienced an above-average number of major hurricanes, while the 1970s into the mid-1990s averaged fewer hurricanes," said NHC Director Max Mayfield on Tuesday.

"The current period of heightened activity could last another 10 to 20 years or more. This increased activity is due to natural cycles of hurricane activity, driven by the Atlantic Ocean itself along with the atmosphere above it," he told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee's Subcommittee on Disaster Prevention and Prediction.

"While we must focus our energy on addressing the impacts of Hurricane Katrina, we also need to look to the future," said Mr. Mayfield.

"Katrina will not be the last major hurricane to a vulnerable area, and New Orleans is not the only location vulnerable to a large disaster from hurricane. Houston/Galveston, Tampa Bay, Southwest Florida, the Florida Keys, Southeast Florida, New York City and Long Island and, believe it or not, New England, are especially vulnerable. And New Orleans remains vulnerable to future hurricanes," he said.

After discussing various aspects of the way the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—of which the NHC is a part—conducts its predictions, Mr. Mayfield made clear that all signs point to continued higher-than-normal hurricane activity for the foreseeable future. He noted that Sept. 20—the day he appeared before the committee—is near the historical peak of the hurricane season.

As of the time of his appearance, 17 tropical storms—nine of which grew into hurricanes, of which four were major hurricanes—had formed during the current hurricane season.

Mr. Mayfield said NOAA currently projects that 18 to 21 tropical storms will form this season, which runs though the end of November.

[Michelle]

Naomi--thank-you for checking on this! I was quite appalled, as were most on the list. I don't know that their end would be held up in court were they to actually fire someone for evacuating! This woman on the listserv is just hoping that her BIL leaves with his family rather than sticking around!

M

[Stan]

From CNN

Hurricane Rita reaches Category 5 status with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, the National Hurricane Center says.

[Naomi]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Stan Jensen said:

From CNN

Hurricane Rita reaches Category 5 status with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph, the National Hurricane Center says.

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15-18' Storm surge.

And we thought Alisa & Karla were bad!

They say that by the time it makes it as far inland as I live (4 hrs) it will still be a cat 1. That means wind above 65mph, heavy, heavy rain, perhaps tornados. Maybe my friend Rita (who is a self proclaimed perfectionist) may be correct, her namesake may will be the perfect storm.

LA is still in severe danger from the massive water, etc that could push the dangerously high water level over the top!

Please pray that Rita will dissipate

[Naomi]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Michelle said:

Speaking of WalMart--a woman on my homeschool listserv said that her BIL, who is an asst. manager in a Walmart in/near Galveston, and the store manager told them that any manager who evacuates will be fired--they are expected to stay and basically live in the store to prevent looting.

Go Walmart!

M

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Michelle,

This morning I have been on the phone with the Walmart's GM's secretary in their home office in Bentenville, Arkansas. Also, the District Manager over the Texas Coastal stores which include Texas City, Galveston, etc.

As far as they all know the stores were closed last night at 8 pm and everyone told to leave the area. They are now in the process of attempting to get through busy circuits to call each store manager individually and make sure no one gave such an order.

Also, will be contacting their pr people to see if it is advisable to put out a public statement telling everyone that their employees were told to leave last evening.

This is a very serious thing and lives are at stake. As my contact said, "If someone took it upon themselves to give such an order, action will be taken. If it is a nasty internet rumor than it we will do what we can to counteract such statements."

Praying for the people in the wake of the storm.

Naomi <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/1_prayer001.gif" alt="" />

[lazarus]

We had the remnants of Isabel a couple of years ago. The winds were perhaps only about 50mph. I was scared. Folks were without electricity for 2 wks. I really can't imagine what a Cat 5 would be like.

To all of you in the path of Rita. I am praying for God's protection to cover you.

[K]

Have heard that Rita has been downgraded to Level 4.(Not that it makes it much better)

We are expecting 75 mph winds here with 10 inches of rain. People are pouring into the area with no place to really stay. They have opened up some centers and are asking for people to take people in their homes.

Gas jumped 10 cents over night to 2.57 per gallon. Many of the big grocery chains have run out of bottled water. Gas is still available, but not sure how long that will last with the amount of evacuees coming.

It is erie and still here. We are all just waiting.

K

[Naomi]

K,

We're overcrowded here as well. Stores are running out of everything. Just heard that they are now calling it a Cat 5 again. It appears it's turning North and picking up speed. It may have a stronger effect on the NE TX area than us.

Prayers are with you....and everyone in it's path.

Courage,

Naomi

[SnowyRainier]

The way they are now talking it looks as though Rita will head right toward the TX/LA boarder. Besides the hundreds of thousands the storm is uprooting, it also appears to be heading straight for the academy in Jefferson, TX. Has anyone heard anything about them and their plans?