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http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopN...-rita-4thld.xml

HOUSTON, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- New Orleans' 9th Ward, recently pumped out, flooded again Friday as Hurricane Rita approached the Gulf Coast.

The storm was expected to hit land early Saturday near Beaumont, Texas, the National Hurricane Center said. That was good news for Houston and Galveston, which appeared likely to miss the hurricane's full force -- but it was another blow for New Orleans.

At 5 p.m. EDT, Rita's eye was 155 miles east-southeast of Galveston and 140 miles southeast of Port Arthur, moving northwest at almost 12 mph.

The storm -- now a category 3, down from Thursday's category 5 -- had maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extended out up to 85 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extended out up to 205 miles.

In New Orleans, storm surge drove water over a temporary repair to the floodwall protecting the 9th Ward from the Industrial Canal, CNN reported. Thirty to 40 blocks were flooded by up to 4 feet of water. The area was inundated by Hurricane Katrina in late August.

Hurricane warnings were in effect from Sargent, Texas, on Matagorda Bay west of Houston to Morgan City, La. Tropical storm warnings were posted from Morgan City to the mouth of the Pearl River, including the New Orleans metropolitan area and Lake Pontchartrain.

Rita was expected to produce rain accumulations of 8 to 12 inches, with as much as 20 inches possible in some areas. The Hurricane Center warns if the storm slows down over land, parts of eastern Texas and western Louisiana could get 25 inches in the next few days.

Copyright 2005 by United Press International. All Rights Reserved.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3741, old post ID:30372

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?...4332&p=67yz4634

Texans shelter as hurricane Rita bears down

23/09/2005 - 22:03:58 Hurricane Rita is expected to destroy almost 5,700 homes and affect more than five million Texans when it slams into the US coast overnight, officials said.

Hurricane Rita is expected to destroy almost 5,700 homes and affect more than five million Texans when it slams into the US coast overnight, officials said.

Jack Colley, the state’s emergency management coordinator, predicted that the city of Port Arthur would be submerged in 20 feet of water and at least 16,000 people made homeless across Texas.

“We could expect probably sustained hurricane winds, beginning at midnight tonight, for 16 hours, an incredible storm,” he said.

As Rita headed towards land, water again began gushing into the Louisiana city of New Orleans, swamping its Lower Ninth Ward – an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina less than four weeks ago.

“Our worst fears came true,” said Major Barry Guidry of the Georgia National Guard which is assisting with relief efforts. “We have three significant breaches in the levee and the water is rising rapidly.”

Port Arthur Mayor Oscar Ortiz said the winds were starting to pick up heavily but that 95% of the city had been evacuated.

A mandatory curfew was called for the few remaining in the city of 58,000.

Rita weakened to a Category 3 storm as it edged towards land, packing winds of 125mph.

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco warned residents to get to the highest places they could.

“We are ready to respond with helicopters and heavy equipment,” she said.

The damage is expected to top $8.2bn.

President George Bush had expected to travel from Washington to Texas, his home state, as the storm closed in, but his plans were cancelled because of the storm.

“Our job is to prepare for and assist state and local people to save lives and help these people get back on their feet,” he said at the Pentagon.

David Paulison, acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said 400 medical personnel were on stand-by in Texas with lorry-loads of food, water and ice.

At least 17 urban search and rescue teams are on the ground along with 50,000 regular and national guard troops.

“I hope everyone’s listening to the warnings,” he said. “It’s going to be a few days before the first respondents can get in there.

“Don’t return to your homes, stay away from power lines, stay in place until we tell you it’s safe. We are going to make sure that you get taken care of.”

Tragedy struck earlier today when a bus carrying around 45 elderly evacuees out of Houston to Dallas exploded, killing at least 24 people.

Early reports suggested mechanical problems sparked a fire causing passengers’ oxygen tanks to explode.

The vehicle was engulfed in flames, causing a 17-mile tailback on the busy interstate highway.

The driver reportedly survived the blast and repeatedly got back on the bus to try and rescue passengers.

Texas Governor Rick Perry said 2.7 million people had fled the coast and that evacuations were a success despite “excruciatingly slow” traffic.

“It’s a great test for the people of this state, for emergency management, homeland security the military,” he said.

“But we are going to get through this and we have prepared with extensive exercises. We are going to get through it because our residents took this threat seriously.

“Be calm be strong, say a prayer for Texas.”

Major oil refineries have been shut down amid fears that petrol prices would soar.

The Salvation Army is on stand-by in Texas with 38 mobile canteens fully stocked and ready to launch relief operations as soon as the storm has passed.

Staff in Houston have been helping with evacuation efforts and have set up two of their own shelters to accommodate those who did not want to leave.

Major JR Jones said dark clouds had formed over the city and the streets were deserted.

“There is nothing here except a few police patrols,” he said. “It’s like all life has evaporated.”
Most of those taking refuge in the shelters are elderly or just did not want to venture too far from their homes.

“Everyone’s nervous,” Major Jones said. “Most people get a little anxious when they leave their homes, but we’re all here and we’re ready to sit it out.”

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3741, old post ID:30389

I just realized we're hosting in Houston, so if the site goes down any time just blame it on the storm. Don't worry I got backups and I'll be doing more lately.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3741, old post ID:30485

What is stupid about all of this is-

they wan't people to evacuate & then they don't let them come back.

So, if that happened to me, the next time I wouldn't evacuate.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3741, old post ID:30493

Yeah no kidding.

Archived topic from Iceteks, old topic ID:3741, old post ID:30505