|
Statement as of 3:45 P.M. EDT 9/21/2005 Recent data from a NOAA aircraft indicates that maximum winds have increased to about 165 m.p.h. The pressure has also fallen to about 900mb. Rita is possibly the 4th most intense hurricane ever. Forecaster: Ortt 2 P.M. EDT 9/21/2005 HURRICANE RITA UPDATE #24 This is an independent product Residents of the western Gulf of Mexico need to be prepared for a hurricane of Katrina's intensity. Hurruicane Rita is expected to make landfall in Texas late Friday or early Saturday as a category 4 hurricane and level a large portion of the Texas coastline between Corpus Christi and Galveston. All residents in mandatory evacuation zones must evacuate. Do not make the same mistakes made during Katrina. If you are ordered to evacuate, do so. Failure to do so in a mandatory evacuation zone will likely result in the loss of your life. NWHHC will recommend a Hurricane Watch tomorrow morning for Texas. As always, these are only recommendations. The official watches and warnings can be found on the Official Alerts Page or local emergency management officials. Currently, the eye of Hurricane Rita is located near 24.3N and 86.1W. This places the center about 760 miles ESE of Corpus Christi, Texas. The motion is to the west near 12 m.p.h. This general track is expected to continue. This path will send Rita in the general direction of Texas with a landfall likely on Friday or Saturday. Maximum winds have increased to 145 m.p.h. The pressure is 923mb. Fluctuations in intensity are expected, though Rita is expected to make landfall in Texas as a category 4 hurricane. Category 5 status cannot be ruled out at this time. Next Update: 11 P.M. Forecaster: Ortt
__________________
Sigless
|