MAJOR Hurricane Rita

Hurricane Rita is a Monster storm!!

At 1:00 PM EDT, the center of Hurricane Rita was located over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Rita is becoming a monster storm (similar to Katrina) with sustained winds of 140 MPH. Rita is entering the area of the gulf called the LOOP, where the water temperatures are very high. Warm water is the source of energy for hurricanes. All of our reliable models call for Rita to strengthen to Category 4 and 5 strength. The models also seem to have a good handle on where Rita will make landfall. Right now, I believe landfall will be just south of Houston, TX...between Port Lavaca, TX and Freeport, TX. Houston will still see some major effects from the storm.

For all of the general public in Texas that may be visiting this site, here are some links to websites that have the official evacuation orders and shelter information. It is highly reccommended that the public pay close attention to these statements and heed their warnings and evacuation orders. Katrina caused major problems, and us storm chasers don't want to see anybody hurt or worse. Be prepared!!

Find some information here: General Hurricane Awareness and Tips: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/hurricane/index.shtml

Texas Warnings and Evacuation Info. (not necessarily complete, but official): http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/tx/allwarnings.html

Latest Hurricane Center Advisory: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT3+shtml/211444.shtml

NWS Austin/San Antonio,TX: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx/

NWS Brownsville, TX: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bro/

NWS Corpus Christie, TX: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/crp/

NWS Dallas, TX: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/

NWS Houston, TX: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx/ [/u]