Rita vs Dean

[brocato1779]

I was just wondering if there is anyone that is sharing my fear about the simularities that could be made between the two? I feel like I am watching Rita all over again! Is this high pressure system really the only thing that is steering this thing south? Could it do like
Rita and change at the last minute? I feel that the early warnings are somewhat creating a bit of histeria in our community. Help please!

[senorpepr]

Well, I know this is after-the-fact... and we all know where Dean ended up, but yes... the high pressure was playing a major factor in keeping Dean from approaching the American Gulf Coast.

As for the early warnings... maybe a blessing or a future problem, but since 2005, it seems like authorities want to get the warning out as early as possible, to help avoid a problem like during Katrina.

With that said... too early of warnings that end up as false alarms will lead to complacency... with brings us right back to people not evacuating when a storm is headed their way.

[jeff]

I was blown away by the state of TX response to Dean. Since Rita it has been drill drill drill and plan plan plan and those that do it 24/7 want to really see if all this drilling is going to pay off. The state did very well during Humberto also..given it developed so fast.

It was discussed just after Humberto how long TX will keep this up..if and whne the threats do not come for a few years. Rita was such a scare and distaster with the evac that no one wants that to even come close to happening again...and of course no political figure wants a Katrina on their watch...a Katrina storm handled well is another story.