Rita

Willwonka4442 · Post by **Willwonka4442** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:35 pm

Wish the best health! Stay Safe!

laura n. · Post by **laura n.** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:57 pm

I pray this nation doesn't have to deal with another disaster. Please my wonderland friends be safe.

the cat · Post by **the cat** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:25 am

thanks Sue, Annie PLEASE get the h--l on the road girl. It's a bad one.

ann3120 · Post by **ann3120** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:33 am

We're ready to leave out in the morning, although the computer projections have consolidated their info and still have it coming in near Port O'Conner. We live about 50 miles north of Corpus Christi, but that us really too close for comfort. The house is all boarded up - we just have to make all those final decisions - how much to take and what to leave. Some people in our neighbourhood have decided to stay, but that's not for us.

I do hope every one else is OK. I think we're the closest to the storm, but we are on the "clean" side of the storm, so we hope there won't be too much damage.

I'd like to be able to wear a T-shirt saying that I "survived Rita" but it's not worth the risk.

We're out of here. We'll be offline tomorrow morning and we won't know how long, because there won't be any power when we get back.

I'll be back in touch just as soon as I can. Every one else - please stay safe. And yes, it is very scary.

the cat · Post by **the cat** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:51 am

thanks for letting us know, Good luck, See you when it all Over.

Your in our prayers, OXOX.

Cat · Post by **Cat** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:01 am

Yes Ann stay safe and you are in our prayers.Please be in touch as soon as you can.
Take care
Cat

drushing · Post by **drushing** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:18 am

We are still watching Rita. If she continues to turn to the north we will be ok in our home. We will more than likely have strong winds and some rain but nothing like on the coast. We will most likely lose electrical power so it may be a while before we can check back in after the storm but we will as soon as possible! Up until then, I will keep you all posted. For those of you wondering where we are located, our home is inland about halfway between Corpus Christi and San Antonio. Again, thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:03 am

Take care everyone - it is so awful! Annie - we love you lots - stay safe xxxxx

SharonM · Post by **SharonM** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:14 am

I know you probably won't see this, Ann, but I think you're doing the right thing. It's going to take a long time to get out and leaving now is the smart move. Please stay safe.
Hopefully you'll be alright, Donna. It looks like the storm is now heading slightly north of the Galvaston/Houston area.
Earlier the storm strength made it the 3rd strongest Atlantic storm in recorded history. I don't know what the mb's were then, but they're at 902mb now and that's weakening. For those of you who don't know, the lower the center pressure, the stronger the storm. Katrina was around 914mb when it made second landfall in the Gulf (first was Florida). It reached 906mb before weakening prior to hitting the gulf coast. This storm keeps changing. The track projections are now taking it further north than expected and if it keeps doing that it will make landfall closer to Louisiana and NO. In that case, the levees will fail and NO will be flooded again.
Two, I'm glad you checked in. I think you'll probably be okay, but your area may be getting a few refugees.

Everyone take care and check in as soon as you can.

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 11:41 am

Thanks for the update Shazza - our news doesn't cover it as well as yours obviously does.

I am NEVER EVER going to complain about our weather again - it is quite an English trait to talk/complain about the weather (we are nutters). I know we get lots of bombs and things - but at least our weather is pretty calm compared to what you guys get. I can't believe how New Orleans was just wiped out like that! Dreadful!

Thinking of you all xxx

Gen · Post by **Gen** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:47 pm

I'm glad to hear Ann has/is evacuating. Better to be safe than sorry! Donna stay alert and do the same if necessary. Susan, you are probably going to get some of the side effects so don't let down your guard. Here is the Tampa Bay area, we have had rain and wind now for three days. Nothing serious, but it does show how big this storm is. All of you take care and our thoughts are with you.

For those of you across the "Pond" that want to see some of our news, here are a couple of links:

http://www.foxnews.com/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

ann3120 · Post by **ann3120** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:28 pm

Hello everybody - guess what? We're still here, and unless the storm makes a dramatic course change - which seems unlikely at this point - we will stay here. We can still change our mind Friday morning.

Corpus Christi has lifted the mandatory evacuation order, so that it is now only voluntary. The storm is moving eastwards towards the Texas/Lousiana border and we are now almost outside the cone of probability as we only have a tropical storm warning.

It's been a very good learning experience - boarding up the house and trying to decide how much "stuff" to take with us. Hopefully we'll never have to do it again - at least this year. Surely two historically large hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico is enough for any one year. I think Rita is now the third strongest Hurricane of all time, after Gilbert in 1988 and a very large one on Labor Day in 1935. Luckily she is now beginning to lose her intensity somewhat, which is good news for where ever she comes ashore. However, with her forward movement speed decreasing, this means she will stall once on land, and has the capability of dropping upwards of 30" inches of rain. One prediction shows that could be over Dallas. It also looks as though New Orleans will pick up rain, which they don't need, but probably not too much of the storm surge. They are busy there, preparing for more damage.

Thank you all so much for your concern and prayers. I know we can't protect every one, but you all sure helped us TX nutters. Donna and Susan, it looks as though we'll all be OK. Some of the computer models show her moving over us as tropical storm once she's on land, but if you're like us, you need the rain. Our lake is almost down to the mud bottom. Even our alligators have to walk when they come to visit.

Now I'm going to see if I can concentrate enough to play a few levels. Make me some simple ones - I need them right now.

P.S. this is a very good website that we use to track tropical storms.

[b][color=blue]http://www.wunderground. ... color][/b] You can download a free version.

twohappylane · Post by **twohappylane** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:38 pm

Ann that is WONDERFUL news!!! I know you must have HATED leaving your home unattended like that. I know I would have!!

You are SO right ~ we desperately need the rain. It looks like now we won't even get any from this. I sure feel for New Orleans!!

Take care ~ and STAY safe!!
*********************************************
Susan

Cat · Post by **Cat** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 6:54 pm

Ann, figured you where on the road already. I am glad Rita has been downgraded. But if Rita should pick up speed and head your way Please make sure to get out.

Our prayers are still with all of you in Texas, take care and let us know you all ok when it is all done and over with.

Cat

laura n. · Post by **laura n.** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:01 pm

ann3120 wrote: It's been a very good learning experience - boarding up the house and trying to decide how much "stuff" to take with us.

And just how does one decide what "stuff" to take

I wouldn't even know where to begin. I can see it now ..... it's ok honey just strap it on top the car , here's some more rope

I'm sorry you had to go through that, but I'm really glad your safe.

the cat · Post by **the cat** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:04 pm

Glad to see you all checking in. maybe my headache will go away.

There is something weather wise going on here. No diff in the forecast.

but there is not one bird noise for the last 2 hrs.hummmmmmmmm

ann3120 · Post by **ann3120** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 7:35 pm

laura n. wrote:And just how does one decide what "stuff" to take I wouldn't even know where to begin.

It is very difficult. Mainly important papers, photos & pictures, coin collections etc, jewelry, medicines, enough clothes, pets and their food etc,bedding (depending on where you're going) etc.etc. A lot depends on your transportation. We're lucky enough to have a small covered trailer than can carry a lot. I'm so glad we didn't have to do it, but we've got a better idea how to go about it next time . . . . . what am I saying ! ! ! ! ! ! There ain't gonna be a next time. I do not plan to be here next summer, although after this scare, we may have even more difficulty selling our house. If any one's interested, it's beautiful in winter ! ! ! ! ! !

Lillian · Post by **Lillian** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:09 pm

Glad you are safe Annie and didn't have to leave your home. Don't take any risks though please x

dylan1298 · Post by **dylan1298** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:25 pm

Basically Lauren, you take only what can not be replaced- The first time around you find yourself saying oh I can't replace this and I can't replace that, and you definetly have the top of your car roped down with junk- But as someone who has done this 3 times already, your replacebles dwindle down each time- Like Ann said, important papers, pictures, animals, oh and don't forget the kids

-

Ann so glad ya'll are gonna be safe, keep watching though, we are too- My husbands scared it might take a drastic turn to the northeast which means it would hit us

Willwonka4442 · Post by **Willwonka4442** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:57 pm

I's down to a cat 4 to let u kno

ann3120 · Post by **ann3120** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 3:21 pm

ann3120 wrote:
laura n. wrote:And just how does one decide what "stuff" to take I wouldn't even know where to begin.
It is very difficult. Mainly important papers, photos & pictures, coin collections etc, jewelry, medicines, enough clothes, pets and their food etc,bedding (depending on where you're going) etc.etc.

Obviously I didn't go far enough with this list.

I would now add: food, water and a Port-a-Potty - or the largest supply of
Depends that you could find

Might throw in a spare air conditioner or two, as well.

Watching yesterday's exodus from Houston makes you realize just what an impossible task that is.
I'm thankful that we've been spared, but I am so sorry for all the other poor souls. Who could have imagined what would happen.

Davimad · Post by **Davimad** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 3:30 pm

Annie, I'm so glad to see you're okay. I won't insult anyone by even guessing at what it must be like, all I'll say is..

Be safe everyone, we are all rooting for you.

ann3120 · Post by **ann3120** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 5:28 pm

Thank you Mo and everyone else that has written - it's so good to know you are all thinking of us. Actually, we're out of all danger now, although we do hope we get some rain. The winds are just beginning to pick up - out of the N at about 19 mph, gusting to about 25 (which feels wonderful when all we usually get are hot, humid SE winds). They are predicted to go higher than that with much higher gusts. We can see the edge of the hurricane on our 600 mile doppler radar map, and it is BIG. I definitely think we'll get wet.

Have taken a couple of boards off the windows - I hate not being able to see out as I'm a daylight freak - and opened up the sheds and put the plants out so I could water them all. I let them dry out so it would be easy to carry them in, but now they're all thirsty.

Off to play some levels. My back's a bit "out-ish" and Wonderland usually doesn't hurt too bad.

Willwonka4442 · Post by **Willwonka4442** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 8:24 pm

That's good to hear!

drushing · Post by **drushing** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 11:57 pm

Thought I should check in! We are far enough inland that we are having gusty winds but probably won't even get any rain. We are like Ann and really need a good rain to cool us down. At any rate we are definetly not in harms way from Rita. I am glad you didn't have to evacuate after all Ann. Also glad you are safe TwoHappyLane! Thanks again for all the good wishes from our wonderland family.

SharonM · Post by **SharonM** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 2:36 am

I am so relieved you all are safe. I was so worried. I'm praying now for all those in the path. It ahs weakened to Cat 3, but still has the waves generated when it was a Cat 5. That's 50 foot waves in some areas. It's definitely a huge storm. They're talking about us getting some of the rain from it when it finally moves inland. We could use it too. We've got a fire in the swamp that's in the peat and has been burning for over a week. The only thing that's going to put it out is a good rain.

the cat · Post by **the cat** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 3:12 am

Wow Sharon a peat fire, is not good. it just keeps burning from the underside. then up and down again. was the train wrack near you.??

SharonM · Post by **SharonM** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 12:31 pm

Yes Cathy, it was. Not too far away, anyway. I think about 45 minutes or so (I think; I'm not great estimating distances). It's harder to judge because of all the bridges I have to cross to get there. I haven't heard much about it yet, I haven't been able to watch the news much. Last I heard they, were investigating the cause. A few years ago, there were two or three wrecks in the area and the cause was found to be someone tampering with the tracks!

People around here were furious. With all the safeguards they have now, I have trouble understanding how two trains could be on the same track, heading toward each other.

The main problem with the peat fire is the smoke in the area. Depending on which way the wind shifts, Chesapeake and surrounding counties have a layer of smoke that everyone is having to deal with. Those with allergies and lung conditions are having a hard time. We aren't getting any of it. Two major rivers between us and it, but the areas where my husband, Rob, works are definitely affected.

laura n. · Post by **laura n.** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:24 am

I've never heard of a peat fire, could someone explain please???

the cat · Post by **the cat** » Sun Sep 25, 2005 2:49 am

Do you know what peat moss is, how thick it is well it burn very crazy.

if you would drop a match on top of it. the flame would go down to were there would be air. so now its burning from under. then to the top. then down again.
I hope this helps.