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September 21, 2005

Sunday: Rita vs. ...Dallas!

Rita model shows TS force winds may extend into North Texas

 

 

It looks as if the storm may still be packing tropical storm strength as it hits Dallas this weekend. Storm prediction models are indicating that the Metroplex may be forced to endure maximum sustained winds between 40 and 70 mph. If that’s the case, those of us this far north of the gulf will be in for a rare, small, but still rather potent taste of what so many have been suffering along the entire gulf and eastern US coast this season.

 

I must say that at this exact moment I’m happy I no longer live in Houston, but this unfortunately cannot be said for friends and family members, some living as far south as between Houston and Galveston, and others living in the gulf area. Most no doubt will be able to flee this terrible storm, save a couple of family members in the area who work at Texas Medical Center in Houston.. Kevin Kite-Powell, my father’s brother, currently is the pharmacy director at St. Luke’s Hospital, serves on a FEMA team (in fact, he was called upon to help out at the World Trade Center in 2001), and is part of the hospital response committee for emergency preparedness; Dot, Kevin’s wife, is an RN, MSN, CCRN, and CNS at St. Luke’s. She presently serves as Manager of Outcomes Management & Research. Both I’m sure will be very busy in the coming days; both, the family hopes will stay safe.

 

There is no doubt if this hurricane hits Houston head-on, even as a cat-3, it will do a lot of damage. As myriads of experts have already pointed out on TV and across the web, the slower the storm moves, the worse that damage will be, and a lot of that could come from the downpour flooding alone. During Tropical Storm Allison, Houston saw significant major flooding most notably affecting the poorer areas, and in and around Texas Medical Center. The regional medical center also lost power for several hours as patients had to be evacuated to higher levels to escape the rising water. Allison was what we now might see as merely a foretaste of Katrina’s destruction in New Orleans or, perhaps even something for more unthinkable. I was one of the lucky ones whose home remained dry during Allison, but I spent many hours helping the relief efforts for the folks who weren’t so lucky. Our best hope is that Rita loses a lot of strength, swallows a lot of dry air and moves quickly out of the area.

 

It is frankly just strange to be expecting something like a tropical storm to come roaring through Dallas; it just doesn’t seem right. When or if it does, I guess we’ll get to see how well our roofs hold up, among other things. The good news is that the State of Texas (and the soon-to-be affected cities) has done a fantastic job preparing for such an event and I think the federal government has learned its lesson too. Still, I think we’re all hoping for a miracle at this point. As far as Galveston island is concerned, I just hope there will be a Strand to visit the next time I’m down there.

 

 

Related:

 

Check out my fellow Texas Blogfest compatriot, El Capitan’s blog at Baboon Pirates. El Capitan works in the Houston area and has just been told he will among the “essential personnel” slated to remain and endure Rita’s wrath. He promises to blog throughout providing he has power and a roof. Also, rumor has it Michelle Malkin is tracking the trackers.

 

AP: Rita Could Be Strongest Storm to Hit Texas - the cat-5 is now packing 175 mph winds, gusts to 215 mph

 

 

   

Posted by Martin at September 21, 2005 11:00 PM

Comments

Posted by: El Capitan at September 21, 2005 11:43 PM

Posted by: Mark at September 24, 2005 08:39 AM

Posted by: Martin at September 25, 2005 02:33 AM