Thanks for pointing that out, mikemo. I just asked the lady who looked up that info yesterday and she said there's also no Q.

Regarding the concert at the Woodlands, it was just announced on the radio that it is cancelled. DJ did not know if it would be rescheduled.

Ok, back to work...

Good info, moldy. Now for the latest Austin news: The Austin City Limits music festival was supposed to be this weekend, in Austin of course. The usual plan for the ACL festival is to go ahead, rain or shine. But they said on last night's news that they will cancel if public safety is in danger.

For any Houstonians thinking of coming to Austin this weekend, the morning news said the hotels are booked solid due to both the hurricane and the ACL festival. However some rooms could open up if the people with tix to the ACL festival decide to cancel, so keep checking back.

P.S. In case I was unclear above, it's not yet known if the ACL festival will go on as planned, but I will post back as soon as I hear something.

The AP reported 20 min ago that Rita is now a cat 5 hurricane.
Godspeed all in harm's way.
M

According to weather.com, Rita is the 17th named 2005 hurricane. The four remaining names on the list are -
- Steve
- Tammy
- Vince
- Wilma

OO, on the map Al Roker showed this morning it was tracking between Corpus Christi and Galveston.

Now, according to weather.com, it looks like it's heading straight towards Galveston.

Sorry for any confusion, OO. Since the strongest winds are in the NE quandrant, I said "west of Houston", to quietly imply that Houston will probably get really slammed. I hope it drops back down from a 5, 'cause that's going to be a demon storm.

Watching the news right now. If hubby hasn't gotten out of town, then now is a very good time to try to get out.

Tomorrow morning, first thing, Starsville. Flights will be running all day. Shipping lanes are closed, and all operations have been shut down.

God watch over those poor people.

God bless them indeed. I am now planning to host 6 relatives from Houston. Some will have to sleep on an air mattress, as all beds and sofas will be full. But at least they will be safe.

Wishing him safe travels. I know you will be much relieved when he walks through the door safe and sound.

God bless all those in the path.

Thank you Starsville.

I am anxiously waiting. I only hope and pray that there will be something for him and everyone else to go back to.

What a nightmare! It goes beyond my comprehension. May everyone in Rita's path be safe. I send my prayers for all of you that will be affected with this calamity.

And P_M, you will have lots of loved ones with you on your birthday from the sounds of it.

Safe harbor to all.

P.M.
What county are you in? I just heard this afternoon that they are evacuating Harris and that is the county our son lives in. It took me a long time to reach him via phone as all the circuts are busy, but when I did he said it is just the low lying areas of Harris and that he should be ok. He shopped today for water, batteries, food, propane,candeles, etc (said the shelves are bare) and that he and our grandson will be ok as he lives on the high side of Houston. I just don't like it!

Right now the track NOAA National Hurricane Center has it coming in just a bit to the north of Port Lavaca, which is about 100 miles south of Houston...but who knows where the track will be tomorrow!

Because we lived virtually yards from the water I watched every single hurricane approaching FL all day every day for 4 or 5 days prior to landfall over the past 8 years, and for 4 years before that in Savannah. If I learned anything at all it's that they do not stay on the predicted track, even if every forecaster is dead certain they will! The one I can quote with the most accuracy as we had been his bull's eye, was Charley. 4 hours before landfall in Tampa last year, with not one forecaster giving us hope of avoiding it, he made a 90 degree right hand turn and went inland instead at Punta Gorda about 115 miles south of us.

The problem with getting out of an area is that because of their unpredictability, airlines start removing planes from possible harm's way a couple days in advance. Flights out--flights everywhere--are impacted by aircraft no longer being in position, for a couple days before and a couple days following the storm. Thus Tampa had no Charley, but people also had no way to get out after a certain point as there were no longer any planes in the area. Driving was still the option of choice. We moved all our guests inland to Orlando, smack dab into Charley's path as it turned out! It's all an educated guess at best, even for the forecaster.

What will we get in Austin, or Dallas or San Antonio? Rainy weather. If someone is evacuating, one of those cities would be my choice of locations for driving. Our hotel was oversold by 120 this morning, then two groups canceled so now it's a wash, but who knows how it will play out between now and landfall. Have plans and be prepared to head on out as the need arises. You honestly have to play it by ear, hour to hour and day to day.

I "have heard" too that they expect Rita to weaken, possibly back to a Cat 3 by landfall because of eyewall replacement cycles. Waitin' and watchin'. Can't imagine what the poor evacuees here are going through now!

OO, I agree with you that airlines want to get their equipment out. So once those flights leave tomorrow, the planes will probably not return.

First thing in the morning or he'll be sleeping on P_M's floor.

seetheworld, have a nice long weekend with your sweetie and let us know how it all plays out, OK? We'll be thinking of you two.

P_M...you are in for some birthday party! LOL You make all the food, you provide the cake and...oh...better not serve'ritas!! How about mojitos instead? Happy B'day! Be sure to blow out those candles on one breath only so you get your wish!

STW,
If for some reason your husband has to come through Atlanta and has to stay over, give me a shout...

And to my friends in TX, my thoughts and prayers are with you. If you need anything....

OWJ

Hi, cd. My dad, stepmom and sister live in SW Houston appx. 45 miles from the coast at the nearest point. That might sound like a safe distance, but if Rita comes in as a catagory 5, then 45 miles is not much of a buffer zone. I hope this evacuation will be all for nothing, but you never know.

When dad first called and asked to stay with us, I said yes of course. But later I found out that my stepmom's parents and brother need a place to go, so they are coming as well. And if seetheworld's husband can't get out, then we will have one more guest at our hurricane party. Heck, why don't we bring in some Fodorites and have the first ever Fodor's Hurricane Party at my house? It will be an unforgettable Fodor's GTG!!

It took him 2 1/2 hours to get to the airport, but he's there. The last 10 miles were a complete stop - so he took the back roads. I'm sure by daylight, it will only be worse.

I won't even describe the expected scence at the airport.

stw, my cousin and her baby are supposed to fly out today. Her husband didn't want to miss work today (?!?!?) so he's driving to Dallas late tonight. I hope they all make it out of town without too much hassle.