This is unreal

[Scorpion]

This is almost like a copycat of Katrina. Forming to a TD just east of FL, probably gonna hit S FL as a Cat 1, then go into the GOM, go WSW, then north into a likely weakness in the ridge. Models will continue to shift east. Just scary.

[gatorcane]

isn't it though. I hope she stays away from those oil rigs!!!

[LAwxrgal]

Well last year Frances/Jeanne landfalled in the EXACT SAME SPOT 3 weeks apart Could Katrina/Rita do the same? I hope it doesn't happen this time.

[Canelaw99]

Agreed boca! I just paid $2.63/gallon for gas and I was thrilled. I just couldn't handle seeing it go back up to $3+....

[cjrciadt]

Well last year Frances/Jeanne landfalled in the EXACT SAME SPOT 3 weeks apart I hope it doesn't happen this time.

Yes I was baffled by that within 5 miles both landfalls.

[mtm4319]

While this does have a few of the aspects that Katrina had at first, I think we're hyping this depression just a little too much right now. We're already bracing for a major in the Gulf, an economic disaster, another huge increase in prices. I understand the need for concern, but... you know what I mean?

(Scorpion, don't be offended that I'm saying this in your thread. I'm seeing it in a lot of places.)

[jimvb]

Let's hope not. Right now the official NHC position is that it will dip to the south, then go north like Katrina, but it will head for Galveston and Houston instead of New Orleans and the rigs. Are there rigs off the Texas coast?

I hope that TD 18 stays away from the rigs, because this could mean shortages and gas lines all over the country. Please, no Katrina/Rita or Katrina/Stan (Katrinistan?) double blow. And it could be Stan instead because another area of concern has arisen in the Atlantic.

[Windy]

Let's hope not. Right now the official NHC position is that it will dip to the south, then go north like Katrina, but it will head for Galveston and Houston instead of New Orleans and the rigs. Are there rigs off the Texas coast?

Yes. Though if the storm stays south far enough, the impact will be minimal. Oil speculators should drive it up a bit though, no matter what. I filled up last night.

http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/special/images/katrina2_large.gif

[scostorms]

OMGOSH! Who said Katrina/Rita? It sounds like one word, that ole' katrinarita. Eek, take it as a sign! If you're in Rita's path leave!

[Canelaw99]

Katrinarita - sounds like a type of margarita

[fci]

Katrinarita - sounds like a type of margarita

Instead of salt on the rim it has saltwater!

[Canelaw99]

[Gorky]

You can't spell KATRINA without RITA

[scostorms]

You can't spell KATRINA without RITA

And you can't spell Rita without IT, and you can't spell Katrina without IT. Meaning: This is IT! Katrina was IT. Oh no, Rita could be IT too.

[Cape Verde]

The big concern shouldn't be the oil rigs and platforms offshore Texas. The bulk of our supply is currently coming from offshore Louisiania (and hasn't recovered from Katrina yet)<P>The concern is whether Rita might make landfall somewhere southwest of Galveston, around Freeport.<P>That would push the storm surge into Galveston Bay, flooding the massive petrochemical complex that provides our gasoline and chemicals.<P>Knock that out, and you knock America to its knees.

[Meso]

Or IT could all just be coinsidence

[SamSagnella]

You can't spell KATRINA without RITA

You cant spell silo without Lois...

[/peter griffin]

[canegrl04]

HOLY CRAP If Rita takes a last minute turn northward, My gasoline is going back over $3.00 a gallon. And if she hits central Texas coast as a powerful cane, think of those evacuees in Houston

[Cape Verde]

HOLY CRAP If Rita takes a last minute turn northward, My gasoline is going back over $3.00 a gallon. And if she hits central Texas coast as a powerful cane, think of those evacuees in Houston

<P>Houston is mostly okay, except for the perfect storm I described above. Most of Houston is well above sea level in storm surge terms. NASA, Galveston, Pasadena, Texas City, etc. aren't, but evacuation of all of them except Galveston is not nearly the headache that New Orleans had.<P>I hate to be cold-hearted about this, but I'm more worried about the refinery complexes than I am about the people. The people can be moved.

[DAVE440]

Whats unreal is my desktop wx went off the other night with a green level message that SFL should keep an eye on the tropics due to developing tropical wave....

and it hasn't gone off since!!! That's the unreal part!

A simple keep an eye out message activates the desktop warning but not when its upgraded to depression ...or storm.... or the now SFL trop storm watch!

They just must be a bit slow cuz theyre ususally right on with warnings.

I SPOKE TO SOON....HAD TO COME BACK AND EDIT...

THE ALARM JUST WENT OFF!! 20 mins....not bad for the weekend I suppose. They're ususally faster tho.