Hurricane Rita

[Bob S.]

Well, it seems the current track takes Hurricane Rita into the Texas coast. New Orleans may get brushed by the northern part of the hurricane and, depending on how big the storm is, that could spell disaster again, though on a smaller scale. We should see by Thursday how NO will fare.

But the area that is in the bulls' eye right now is around the Houston area, if I am looking at the map correctly. A number of NO residents are still in the Astrodome and other shelters there. If it does hit there, those residents may think that Mama Nature is out to get them.

Watching the storm.

Bob S.

[Bob S.]

Well, it seems the current track takes Hurricane Rita into the Texas coast. New Orleans may get brushed by the northern part of the hurricane and, depending on how big the storm is, that could spell disaster again, though on a smaller scale. We should see by Thursday how NO will fare.

But the area that is in the bulls' eye right now is around the Houston area, if I am looking at the map correctly. A number of NO residents are still in the Astrodome and other shelters there. If it does hit there, those residents may think that Mama Nature is out to get them.

Watching the storm.

Bob S.

[David77]

The storm seems to be heading toward Galveston, Texas, which is on an "island" below Houston. Galveston has been notorous for many severe storms down thru the many years.

They tell me that Galveston has restored many old mansions and other buildings and is gorgeous, and I have not seen them yet. I hope the people are none-the-worse from the coming storm.

[krcNY]

They are shipping people out any way they can. The news shows them loading up on Charter Buses, School Buses and anything else that will fit more than a family.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those folks down in the Gulf Area.

[nudeM]

Sad but true. Rita has turned into a category 5 hurricane. All we can do it hope for the best. It's been a very rough year for the folks in Florida and the gulf states.

[dan t]

I feel for the children that just got back to school! Now they have to try agan to start the school year! http://clothesfreeforums.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

[krcNY]

School? Will there even be a school left with a Category 6?

You are right, this will be very difficult for the students to get the proper education this school year. I will pray for them all.

[nakednudists]

Can a hurricane get up to a cat 6? I thought they only went to a 5.

[PascoDoug]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by nakednudists:
Can a hurricane get up to a cat 6? I thought they only went to a 5. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yep category five is the worse at 155+ mph winds.

[WacoTX]

There are no hotel/motel rooms between Houston and Dallas. I-35, I-10, I-45 are jammed as well as many of the state highways. Setting a record temp here today -- 101!

[shomymojo]

Yes..it is very hot here...

[nudeM]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by nakednudists:
Can a hurricane get up to a cat 6? I thought they only went to a 5. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>------------------------------------------------------------------

Today, there was talk on this very subject. Although there has never been a category 6, it is entirely possible. Granted, category 5 is the highest recorded, but that is not to say there will never be a category 6. Let's hope that category 5 is the worse that ever hits those areas. We all know what can happen from past experiences.

At least, at ths time, Rita has been reduced to category 3. Let's hope it keeps loosing strength.

[Bob S.]

Well, I'm happy that Rita weakened quite a bit before making landfall. The catastropphic damamge that could have befallen the TX/LA coast was somewhat lessened.

"Although there has never been a category 6, it is entirely possible."

nudeM and everyone else, the only way for there to be a category 6 hurricane is if there is a revision to the Saffir-Simpson scale used to measure hurricane strength. As of now, there are only five categories of hurricanes.

See NOAA (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshs.shtml) for more info regarding the categories.

Category 1 has winds between 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr)

Category 2 has winds between 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr)

Category 3 has winds between 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr)

Category 4 has winds between 131-154 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr)

Category 5 has wonds in excess of 155 mph (135 kt or 250 km/hr)

That is the upper limit. There was a TV movie called "Category 6; Day od Destruction" that aired in 2004.

Now there are seven levels of tornados in the Fujita Scale. (http://www.tornadoproject.com/fscale/fscale.htm)

F0 40-72 mph winds
F1 73-112 mph winds
F2 113-157 mph winds
F3 158-206 mph winds
F4 207-260 mph winds
F5 261-318 mph winds
F6 319-379 mph winds

Bob S.