Over preparing for Rita or not?

[Cerwin Vega Fan]

I live in southwest Louisiana and it seems some people are just taking this Rita thing to far. A lot of people at the university are talking about how their not coming back (even though we do have school Thursday and maybe Friday). All the public schools are closed (lucky basturds) cause the buses are being used to ship people out. The only way I see Rita even hitting my area is if it just stopped in Gulf and went directly North (which is very unlikely). If the winds get to strong my family will just go to grandma's house (safe for around 140 easy), if power is lost then we just turn on the generator, and if looters show up then it is time for target practice. I don't know for some reason I'm not bothered by this while some people are almost freaking out over the situtation.

[Steel2686]

It has everything to do with the devestation caused by Katrina. People are going to be a much more nervous now. It looks as if Galveston, TX is going to take the direct hit, but I suppose people are just being much more careful.

[wolfdogs]

Houston is being evacuated.

kinda like right after 9-11 folks...remember? people over reacted at all kinds of stuff..... human nature..

now...its not 1/10th as bad....

just wait..the "no fear factor" will return shortly.... LOL

[thomas]

Now just remember they didnt really know were Katrina was going to land. And just look at the last one to hit the east coast(cant remember name). You couldnt find out were that was going, it ran around like a chicken with its head cut off. I do however think people may over react a little but its better to be safe than sorry.

[Christopherrr]

better prepared than not at all...

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

"Hurricane Rita swirled into a monster category 5 storm with sustained winds of 165 mph, prompting colossal concerns for the Texas and Gulf Coasts."

[fastTa]

Well you shouldn't freak out, but a CAT 5 Huricane should be taken extremely seriously! There is absolutely no reason to not be prepared or evacuate if you have the means for a storm of this magnitude.

Half of my family lives in Houston and the surrounding areas. They are smart enough to put pride aside and get the he!! out of dodge.

[wolfdogs]

rita's a monster killer storm now..worse than Katrina.

lets all pray....


more animals to rescue for us i guess..........daaaaahhhhhhhyyym

[97 Zee]

I have never experienced a huricane so I cant understand the "Ride It Out" mentality. With the potential for extreme devistation as high as it can be. Why take the chance. I dont get it.....

[Steel2686]

I have never experienced a huricane so I cant understand the "Ride It Out" mentality. With the potential for extreme devistation as high as it can be. Why take the chance. I dont get it.....

At least it looks as if most people are taking the evacuation seriously. They said most cars were traveling out of Houston at an average of 2 to 4 MPH. Slow, but moving.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

There is another one forming in the Atlantic, by the way...

[Dave M]

Rita now has 170 mph winds.... I definately would not be sticking around and taking a chance with this. If it veers off course a little and catches you unprepared, your toast.

[Dave M]

There is another one forming in the Atlantic, by the way...

That one is supposed to move off to the NE and not affect land.

[Steel2686]

I was just reading an interesting article (magazine or I would link it) which stated we will run out of the regular names before thend of the season. The one forming in the Atlantic (noted above) is being called Wilma. That leaves three more names. The NOAA said they will use the Greek alphabet if five more form (Alpha, Beta, etc...) which gives 24 more names.

Just found it interesting.

[Dave M]

I was just reading an interesting article (magazine or I would link it) which stated we will run out of the regular names before thend of the season. The one forming in the Atlantic (noted above) is being called Wilma. That leaves three more names. The NOAA said they will use the Greek alphabet if five more form (Alpha, Beta, etc...) which gives 24 more names.

Just found it interesting.

The storm in the Atlantic is not Wilma, it's Philippe. Wilma will be the last named storm of the season. We have 4 names left after Rita... Stan, Tammy, Vince, Wilma.