At about this time last year, I posted about hurricane Frances. Same time, next year, and the obsession and worry are back. It turns out that the links I posted last year are permanently refreshed satellite views, and will now show you views of Katrina. They are even more frightening and awe-inspiring than of Frances, especially this one.
We are watching the web-streaming coverage from the New Orleans' CBS affiliate here, and hoping everyone gets out safely, and that those who are forced to remain ride the storm out safely. Baltar's grandparents lost a house to Hurricane Hazel, my grandparents rode out the hurricane of 1928 but our generation - luckily - has not seen such a storm. Although Andrew was destructive, mostly from winds, the death toll was relatively low, a credit to advancements in warnings and preparations. The double danger of Katrina is not just the winds of 175 mph (projected to be still at Category 4 or 5 levels on landfall) but those winds could persist for 7-14 hours. That Katrina has been slow moving is not just a threat due to the sustained winds, but also because it had time in the Gulf of Mexico to absorb heat (energy) as it dawdled, and has picked up massive amounts of water. The waves inside the eye are estimated to be 55 feet high, and could be as high 28 feet at landfall. Some areas of coastal Louisiana are scheduled for high tide at around 7am, close to the time Katrina will come ashore. This means that in addition to the pummeling of the winds, the storm surge combined with up to 15 inches rain pose a serious flood threat. Scientists at LSU have prepared a projection of what could happen as a result of the water coming into New Orleans, much of which is below sea level.
Keep up to date with information from the National Hurricane Center. Let's hope that everyone in Louisiana, especially Armand's friends and family, weathers the storm safely.
UPDATE: The newest reports (5pm EDT)) suggest rain of up to 20 inches, and hurricane force winds as far inland as Memphis.
From the National Hurricane Center:
HURRICANE KATRINA DISCUSSION NUMBER 24 NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 5 PM EDT SUN AUG 28 2005
KATRINA IS MAINTAINING A CLASSIC PRESENTATION ON SATELLITE IMAGES...AND CATEGORY 5 INTENSITY. THE CENTRAL PRESSURE MEASURED BY A NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER PLANE AT 1755Z AND 1923Z WAS 902 MB...WHICH IS THE FOURTH LOWEST ON RECORD IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN BEHIND HURRICANE GILBERT OF 1988...THE LABOR DAY HURRICANE OF 1935...AND HURRICANE ALLEN OF 1980.
About the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale:
Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required. Only 3 Category Five Hurricanes have made landfall in the United States since records began: The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane Camille (1969), and Hurricane Andrew in August, 1992.
UPDATE 2: Here are some other folks blogging the hurricane.
People are discussing at Daily Kos.
The warning of the expected after-effects of the storm.
Posted by binky at August 28, 2005 03:37 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Natural Disasters