Rita update

Rain--the first rain since Katrina--from the outer bands on Rita's north side has begun falling on New Orleans.

And her projected path, for the moment, is to make landfall at Galveston.

It's not "hype" to say that Galveston may cease to exist afterward.  Her protection comes from a 15-foot seawall on the Gulf side, with no protection at all from the bay side.  Katrina's storm surge crested at 22 feet.  No contest--Galveston would have been underwater.  It's built on a barrier island, essentially "a glorified sandbar," and City Hall is only six feet above sea level.

Even if Rita decreases to a Cat. 4 storm, that seawall may not be much help.

UPDATE:  Rita has now been downgraded to a Cat. 4 storm.  Let's hope it keeps weakening.

ANOTHER UPDATE:  Now they're saying that Rita will turn slightly northward, toward the TX/LA state line.  How much this might help Galveston isn't clear yet.

Comments

[Rob]

Rita was downgraded awhile ago to a cat 4 with a projection of being a cat 3 when it comes ashore. Plus it took a big'ol right turn towards the TX/LA border. Texas will be on the leeward side of the storm for the most part. Poor LA. Guess they can't get anymore wet than they already are....