Riding This Weekend

[Joe Diver]

Everyone please, PLEASE keep a close eye on the weather this weekend. I know some are planning rides, and my best friend has a race he still plans on attending.

If Rita comes ashore at Galveston as a Cat5 or strong Cat4, it very well can arrive in Dallas/Ft Worth as a Cat1. This could be devastating for an inland city; not the severe damages coastal communities will receive, but hurricane force winds and associated rain bands, tornados, hail, etc will cause damage and flooding.

Out in the woods is NOT the place to be this weekend! If it comes our way, just stay home and hunker down. There will be plenty of pretty weekends ahead.

Of course, you never know where these things will go and it might be okay, just brushing by...but it's not looking like that at this point. Be safe.

 

[JMD]

Here's what the Weather Service has to say:

Expires 5:00 PM CDT on September 22, 2005

Statement as of 12:30 PM CDT on September 22, 2005


... Major Hurricane Rita forecast track shifted slightly to the east
again... North Texas still may feel effects...

Hurricane Rita is now expected to make landfall along the Upper
Texas Gulf Coast near Beaumont prior to sunrise on Saturday. Rita
continues to be a category 5 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale with
winds sustained at 165 mph. Fortunately the hurricane should weaken
before making landfall... but is still expected to be a dangerous
category 4 storm.

After the storm makes landfall... the hurricane will weaken as it
moves inland. The latest forecast track from the National Hurricane
Center brings the weakening hurricane north to near Lufkin and Tyler
during the early morning hours on Sunday. This forecast is
significantly different than what was expected yesterday at this
time... and as a result the most significant effects from Rita will
be across East Texas. However... the forecast for hurricanes is
always uncertain... and any deviation to the west of the current
forecast would bring more significant effects to North Texas.
Therefore... all residents of North Texas should continue to monitor
the latest weather forecasts.

Here are some expected effects for North Texas...

1. Heavy rainfall and flooding. With the latest forecast path... 2 to
5 inches will still be possible for eastern areas of North
Texas... generally east of a line from Bonham... to Corsicana... to
Centerville. A more westward landfall would increase the threat of
flooding and rain amounts significantly.

2. Strong winds. Expect 35 to 45 mph sustained winds... with higher
gusts in squalls... east of a line from Paris to Corsicana to Hearne.
These winds may be strong enough to knock down trees... power lines
and cause localized minor structural damage. Residents should
prepare for interruptions in power service and secure small and
lightweight outdoor objects.

3. Isolated tornadoes. As with all land falling hurricanes...
isolated tornadoes will be possible. This will be most likely in
East Texas... but any slight westward deviation in the track of the
storm would increase the threat of tornadoes across North Texas.

4. Travel problems. Increased traffic on interstates as people
evacuate from the hurricane. Wet roads... heavy rainfall and increased
traffic could lead to delays and accidents. Some airline delays will
be possible. Allow extra time to reach your destinations.