Hurricane Rita is the most intense fourth ever intact Atlantic storm and the most intense tropical storm ever observed in the Gulf of Mexico. Part of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, which included three of the ten greatest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic (along with # 1 Wilma and # 7 Katrina), Rita is the seventeen-named storm, tenth storm, and the fifth major storm. 2005 season. Rita formed near the Bahamas from the tropical waves on September 18, 2005 which originally developed off the coast of West Africa. It moves westward, and after passing through the Florida Strait, Rita enters an abnormally warm aquatic environment. The west-northwest move, quickly intensified to reach a 180 mph (285 km/h) peak, reached Category 5 status on 21 September. However, it weakened into Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in Johnson's Bayou, Louisiana, between Sabine Pass, Texas and Holly Beach, Louisiana, with a wind of 115 mph (185 km/h). Rapidly weakening the land, Rita slumped into a large low-pressure area above the lower Mississippi Valley on 26 September.
In Louisiana, the storm surge of Rita flooded low communities along the coast, worsening the impact caused by Hurricane Katrina less than a month earlier, such as the damaged and hasty Katrina dike toping in New Orleans. Parishes in Southwest Louisiana and the county in Southeast Texas where Rita made landfall suffered severe floods and severe wind damage. According to the 25 October 2005 Disaster Center report, 4,526 single-family homes were destroyed in Orange and Jefferson districts located in Southeast Texas. Major damage was sustained by 14,256 additional single-family residences, and 26,211 single-family homes received little damage. Home and apartment cars also suffered significant damage or total destruction. Overall, nine Texas counties and five Louisiana Parishes declared disaster areas after the storm. Electrical service was disrupted in some areas of Texas and Louisiana for several weeks. Texas reported most deaths from storms, of which 113 deaths were reported, 107 of which were related to the evacuation of the Houston metropolitan area.
Moderate to severe damage is reported in the lower Mississippi Valley. Rainfall from storms and associated remains is extended from Louisiana to Michigan. Rainfall peaked at 4 pm at (406 mm) in Central Louisiana. Some tornadoes are also attributed to storms and subsequent remnants. Along the way Rita, the damage amounted to approximately $ 18.5 billion (2005 USD). A total of 120 deaths in four US states are directly related to the cyclone.
Video Hurricane Rita
Meteorological history
On September 7, 2005, a tropical wave appeared on the west coast of Africa and moved west toward the Atlantic Ocean. Failure to produce an organized and deep atmospheric convection, the disorder is not monitored by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for tropical cyclogenesis. System-related convection increased briefly on September 13 before disappearing shortly afterwards. At about the same time, a remaining surface trough has evolved from the disappearing stationary front and begins to drift westward to the north of the Lesser Antilles. Meanwhile, the tropical waves are slowly becoming more organized and first noted in the Tropical Weather Landscape of NHC on September 15 while northeastern Puerto Rico. Waves joined the surface through two days later, triggering increased activity and convective organization. The subsequent decrease in wind shear is activated for additional organizations, and by 0000 UTC on September 18, NHC estimates that the storm system has been sufficiently organized to be classified as tropical depression, the eighteenth disturbance during hurricane season to do so. At the time, the disturbance, classified as Tropical Depression Eighteen, was approximately 80 miles (130 km) east of Grand Turk Island in Turks and Caicos and has developed a ribbon feature.
In conditions generally favorable for tropical development, depression was quickly regulated, and reached the strength of tropical storms in 1800Ã, UTC that day based on data from reconnaissance flights and nearby ships and weather buoys. As a result, tropical storms are named Rita. However, moderate increases in southerly wind shear as a result of low low intensity on the low top and convection activity are shifted to the northern part of Rita's circulatory center. As soon as the low upper level weakens, Rita's circulatory center changes northward, compensating for the disorganization resulting from the shear wind. Consequently, the tropical storm continued its previous strengthening trend when it was driven west across the Bahamas along the southern edge of a hill. Upon entering the Straits of Florida on September 20, Rita is reinforced into category 1 storm by 1200 UTC, while maintaining barometric pressure of at least 985 mbar (hPa; 29.09 inHg). Six hours later, Rita intensified further into Category 2 before then passing about 45 miles (72 km) south of Key West, Florida. Aided by favorable outflow patterns and very warm ocean surface temperatures (SST), rapid on-going deepening trends, and Rita reached Category 3 status after entering the Gulf of Mexico at 0600 UTC on 21 September, making it a major storm.
Once in the Gulf of Mexico, Rita passes a very warm Flow Loop during the hours of September 21st, allowing for continued strengthening. As a result, the storm wind field increased significantly and the barometer pressure of the storm quickly fell. In 1800Ã, UTC that day, Rita achieved Category 5 storm intensity, the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson windstorm scale. The favorable conditions allow for additional development, and at 0300 UTC on September 22, Rita reaches its peak intensity with a maximum wind speed of 180 mph (285 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 895 mbar (hPa 26.43 inHg), making it the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico. At that time, it lies 310 mi (500 km) south of the Mississippi River Delta.
Rita maintained the Category 5 intensity of the storm for 18 hours before the eyewall replacement cycle occurred, weakening the storm into Category 4 intensity by 1800Ã, UTC on 22 September. At the same time, tropical cyclones began to curve northwestward around the southwestern rim of the ridge. high pressure over the Southeastern United States. As a result of the cycle, a new, bigger eye pit is consolidated, so Rita's wind field extends. Due to the shear winds and cooler continental shelf waters, the storm continues to weaken. Rita weakened into Category 3 strength before making a landing at 0740 UTC on Sept. 24 in extreme southwest Louisiana between Johnson Bayou and Sabine Pass. At the time of the landing, Rita is a Category 3 storm with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and barometric pressure of 937 mbar (hPa; 27,67 in Hg).
After entering the mainland on September 24, Rita began to weaken rapidly. Tropical cyclones have been lowered to tropical storm intensity almost 12 hours after landing. Continuing northwards roughly parallel to the state border between Louisiana and Texas, radar images show that the storm soon lacked a tropical storm. Therefore, the NHC classified the system as a tropical depression when it was above Arkansas at 0600 UTC on September 25, shortly before turning northeast toward the approaching frontal border. The next day, depression lost most of its convection in southeastern Illinois, and slumped to a low remnant at 6:00 UTC that day. The frontal boundary then absorbs the remaining system six hours later over the southern Great Lakes region.
Maps Hurricane Rita
Preparation
Bahamas
At 0300 UTC on September 18, a tropical storm warning was issued to Turks and Caicos and Southeast and Central Islands. At the same time, a storm watch is also issued to the northwestern Bahamas. At 0600 UTC the following day, storm watches were upgraded to a storm warning for the Bahamas northwest except Grand Bahama and Abaco Islands that were later put into a tropical storm warning. Hours later, a typhoon warning was issued for Exuma and Andros Island. In 1800-UTC, the tropical storm warning for Turks and Caicos was stopped because of threats from Rita diminished. This termination later included the Southeast Bahamas. At 1500Ã, UTC on September 20, all hours and memorials for the islands were halted when Rita moved to the Gulf of Mexico. Residents in the Bahamas are encouraged to board their homes and stock up on emergency supplies. At least one shelter is opened and schools across the country are closed. Nassau International Airport is also closed due to the storm on September 19 and will remain closed until the night of 20 September.
Cuban
Officials in Cuba warned residents about the possible impact of Rita and closing public facilities in the northern region. Several evacuations occurred in villages near the northern shoreline and several shelters were opened. An estimated 150,000 people were evacuated in northern Cuba ahead of the storm. About 600 shelters are opened in Havana that can accommodate a total of 120,000 people. In western Cuba, more than 42,000 people have shelters in Matanzas, 31,000 at Villa Claro and 6,300 at Sancti Spiritus. In Havana, electricity was turned off by noon on September 19 to protect the transformers, causing disruption of the natural gas channel. Large-scale preparations are enforced by the Ministry of Health in Cuba. A total of 14,859 medical personnel were deployed to immediately assist the people affected by Rita. Personnel consists of 3,767 doctors, 5,143 nurses, 2,139 specialists, 1,072 health workers, and 2,738 other staff members. A total of 519 vehicles were also mobilized; including 241 ambulances, 36 trucks, 21 panels, and 221 other vehicles. Across northern Cuba, a total of 1,486 shelters were opened, mostly filled during evacuation.
Florida
On September 18, when Rita was declared a tropical storm, a gradual evacuation began in the Florida Keys. All travelers are told to immediately evacuate the Lower Keys and residents in the car houses are told to get ready to evacuate. On September 20, evacuation is mandatory for 80,000 Keys residents. Both lanes on Route 1 are directed north to accelerate evacuation. The city bus picks up those who do not have transportation from the Keys. An estimated 2.3 million people in Miami-Dade County were warned about a possible direct attack on Miami and told to be prepared to evacuate. Emergency situation was declared in front of Rita on that day by President George W. Bush. This will allow federal assistance to help affected areas after the storm. Across Florida, a total of 340,000 people are placed under mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders.
Five shelters opened in southern Florida with a total capacity of 4,335 people. Toll on the northern streets is elevated in Monroe County. Four hospitals, three assisted care facilities, and two nursing homes were evacuated. Military support in the form of 7,000 soldiers, eight Black Hawk helicopters, two Chinook helicopters, three Kiowa helicopters, one Huron plane, a short 360 plane, one Hercules plane, and one Metroliner plane provided. A task force is on standby at the Homestead Joint Air Reserve Base for immediate deployment in the affected areas.
The US Department of Agriculture prepares food to be delivered to the affected areas after Rita. The US Department of Defense deployed personnel to coordinate evacuations. The US Department of Health and Human Services sends a full medical team and supplies if needed. The US Department of Homeland Security places over 100 trucks of ice and packs food for delivery following Rita. Two helicopters and one Cheyenne plane were also provided to aid the recovery effort. The US Department of State has closed all Florida national parks and evacuated workers in low-lying areas. Military cargo planes evacuated hospital patients from three acute care hospitals in Keys.
Louisiana
On Tuesday 20 September, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco issued a state of emergency for all parishes in the southwestern Louisiana region, and requested in writing President George W. Bush that he issued a federal emergency for the entire state. Refugees still at the New Orleans Convention Center and the Superdome are being evacuated as a precautionary measure, and national guard troops and other emergency personnel for Hurricane Katrina after being mobilized to evacuate. Select military personnel living in New Orleans for Hurricane Rita including California Task Force (2-185 Armor and 1-184 Infantry).
On the morning of Wednesday 21 September, when Rita's strength, pace and manner became clearer, Cameron Parish officials, Calcasieu Parishes and part of Jefferson Davis Parish, Acadia Parish, Iberian Parish, Beauregard Parish, and Vermillion Parish began to greatly encourage displaced people ahead of the storm, with a deadline of 6:00 pm Thursday. Most residents followed the recommendation of their respective officials, hitting the road by the deadline, although many returned home and waited until morning the next day after facing severe traffic delays. Residents of Southern Cameron Parish, often evacuating, have left at noon on Thursday; when parish officials return to Hwy. 27 "Gibbstown Bridge" passing through the Intracoastal Channel to Lower Cameron Parish two days later in preparation for damage and rescue inspections of stranded and/or wounded residents, nothing is known to remain.
Texas
Texas Governor Rick Perry reminded all of the emergency personnel, including nearly 1,200 Texas National Guards, 1,100 Texas State Guards, and several hundred Texas Game Wardens from Katrina's recovery effort in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Rita. In addition, the Federal Government deployed 11 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT), staging them in a field field hospital in eastern Texas. The team treated 7500 patients during the response. On September 22, Perry's Governor and Texas Transportation Department applied a reversal of the contraflow trajectory on Interstate 45 north to Dallas, on Interstate 10 west to San Antonio, US Highway 290 northwest to Austin.
As part of the evacuation, Johnson Space Center in Houston handed over control of the International Space Station to their Russian counterparts.
Concerns have been raised over the state of the oil industry in response to Rita. The storm threatened a large amount of oil infrastructure that was left undamaged by Katrina. Texas Gulf Coast is home to 23% of US refining capacity, and many offshore production platforms are on the Rita line. Direct strikes in Houston can knock out more than a quarter of the United States fuel-making capacity. Valero Energy Corp., the country's largest refiner, said Sept. 21 that Rita could cause gasoline prices to rise well above $ 3 per US gallon ($ 0.79/L), when the average US price is $ 2.77/gal.
Mass evacuation
Just three weeks after Hurricane Katrina devastated the northern Gulf Coast, another major storm threat prompted mass evacuations on the Texas coast. An estimated 2.5 - 3.7 million people fled before the Rita landings, making it one of the biggest evacuations in US history.
Officials in Galveston County (which include the city of Galveston), destroyed by Galveston Hurricane of 1900, ordered mandatory evacuation, effective Sept. 21 at 6 pm, in a staggered sequence. Officials designated geographical zones in the area to facilitate orderly evacuation. People are scheduled to go at different times over a 24 hour period depending on the zone where people are located. The scheduled time is set well before a possible storm landing will be within a week, but not fast enough to ensure that all residents can evacuate safely before the storm. Nevertheless, many residents remain in the area because they are unaware of the dangers of the storm or believe that it is more important to protect their belongings, especially after looting after Hurricane Katrina. The evacuation included the transfer of all inpatients from the University of Texas Medical Branch hospital to other regional hospitals. 400 patients are prisoners under the ward of the Texas Justice Prosecutors Department. These patients were systematically transferred to the University of Texas Medical Center at Tyler.
The Harris County officials hope that setting zones A, B, and C will help prevent traffic congestion from leaving areas similar to those seen in New Orleans before Katrina and Hurricane Dennis earlier that year. Also, people in certain zones should be forced to go to certain cities in Texas and are not allowed to get off the specified route except for food and gas - another feature of the evacuation plan that officials expect will keep the flow of traffic regular.
The cities of evacuation destinations include Austin, College Station, San Antonio, Dallas, Huntsville, and Lufkin, Texas. Refugees are asked to try hotels in the Midland/Odessa area when hotels start selling in other areas.
On Wednesday, Houston mayor Bill White urged residents to evacuate the town, informing residents, "Do not wait, the time to wait for it to finish," reminds residents of the disaster in New Orleans. After a traffic jam that runs out of town and gas shortage causes many vehicles to be stranded, Mayor White retreats from his earlier statement with, "If you are not in the evacuation zone, follow the news," advising people to use common sense. However, at 3:00 pm That afternoon, the highway system in Houston was still standing upright.
To the east of Houston, officials have set up evacuation routes in response to the slow evacuation of the population before Hurricane Lili. During Rita's evacuation, this preparation and execution was overwhelmed by the number of people fleeing the Houston area before the departure of local residents. By the time Jefferson County started their mandatory evacuation, the local road was already full of Houston residents. Traffic on specified evacuation routes is forced to be much slower than the speed experienced by previous storms.
Late Thursday night (22) morning, the contraflow line had been ordered opened after officials determined that the country's highway system had stalled. The Texas Transportation Department is not ready for such large-scale evacuations. Coordination and implementation of the contraflow plan takes 8 to 10 hours as incoming traffic is forced out. Police stationed to assist the flow of traffic. Refugees fought the traffic Wednesday afternoon until noon Friday, moving only a fraction of the expected normal distance. Average travel time to Dallas is 24-36 hours, travel time to Austin is 12-18 hours and travel time to San Antonio is 10-16 hours, depending on the departure point in Houston. Many riders run out of gas or experience damage in temperatures approaching 100 ° F (38 ° C). The volume of traffic was not reduced for almost 48 hours as more than three million residents evacuated the area before the storm.
Death evacuation
Since an estimated 2.5 - 3.7 million people are displaced from the Texas coast, significant heat waves affect the region. The combination of severe congestion and excessive heat caused between 90 and 118 deaths even before a storm came. Reports from the Houston Chronicle show 107 evacuation-related deaths. Representatives of Texas Garnet Coleman criticized the dismissal of death in evacuation and questioned whether the storm would be more deadly than preparation. According to local officials, traffic reaches a point where residents feel safer when driving a storm at home rather than being caught in traffic when Rita attacks. Many refugees periodically turn off their air conditioners to reduce fuel consumption and drink less water to limit the number of "restroom stops". According to post-hurricane studies, which reported 90 evacuation-related deaths, nine died solely from hyperthermia. However, it is suspected that most of the 67 deaths attributed to heat stress are a combination of hyperthermia and chronic health conditions. In addition to heat-related deaths, 23 refugee nuns were killed after a bus burned on Interstate 45 near Wilmer. The bus erupts into fire after the rear axle of the vehicle is overheated, due to inadequate lubrication, and ignites the therapeutic oxygen tank on board. According to a resident near the crash site, there were three explosions. Many passengers experience mobility impairment making it difficult to escape or impossible. In June 2009, nearly four years after the fire, the families of those who died in the accident won a $ 80 million settlement against the bus manufacturer and the company that provides the nursing home with it.
Impact
In some areas, the effects of Hurricane Rita are not as bad as anticipated. The dreaded storm wave in Galveston and Houston struck further east as the center of the storm landed on the Louisiana border. The wind blowing offshore in Texas actually flatten the waves, which are only 7 feet (2.1 m) in Galveston, well below the height of the sea wall. The 5 inches (130 mm) rain is expected to fall overnight in New Orleans as Rita comes to the beach also does not occur, and pressure on the embankment system is reduced. However, a storm surge of up to 18 feet (5.5 m) struck southwest Louisiana, and coastal parishes suffered extensive damage. At Cameron Parish, the Holly Beach community, Hackberry, Cameron, Creole and Grand Chenier are basically destroyed. There are also severe impacts, mainly due to wind, in inland parishes and districts throughout Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, respectively. Cities like Beaumont, Texas and Lake Charles, Louisiana, as well as the surrounding community, suffered extensive wind damage.
It is estimated that two million people lost electricity. The total damage is estimated at about $ 18.5 billion.
Death
The number of deaths reported for Hurricane Rita is 120. Only seven are direct deaths. One of them is caused by the whirlwind that appeared in the bands outside the storm, one of them because of flash floods and the other three caused by trees that detonated in the middle of a storm. Two Florida deaths are both occurring in a tidbit caused by Rita's distant waves.
Direct death is caused by the direct effects of wind, flood, tornadoes, storm surges or the effects of the ocean of Rita. Indirect deaths are caused by storm-related accidents (including car accidents, crimes, fires or other incidents), cleaning and evacuation incidents and health problems (such as poisoning, illness, lack of emergency assistance).
Caribbean
When Rita flourished near the Turks and Caicos Islands, he fell to 5 in 130 mm but caused minor damage. Throughout the Bahamas, the waves produced by Rita reach 10 feet (3.0 m) and the storm waves are estimated to be 3 to 5 feet (0.91 to 1.52 m). Strong winds are reported throughout the island, but no damage due to the storm.
In Cuba, Rita produces winds of up to 65 mph (105 km/h) and more than 5 in (127 mm) of rain in some areas. This resulted in significant structural damage but no casualties. In the Bay Shore area of ​​Havana, the water level rises and floods the 20 city blocks. An estimated 400,000 people in the city lost their power by storm. In the span of two hours, more than 8.2 inches (210 mm) of rain fell on Bauta. Heavy rain caused 34 homes to collapse in Havana. The storm surge generated by Rita penetrated about 330 feet (100 m) of land, flooding several towns.
Florida
Rita produces moderate rain in southern Florida, peaking at 13.13 inches (130 mm) in Tenraw. A cluster of rain, estimated to be 20 mi (32 km), produces more dense rain, with doppler radar estimating the total number of more than 10 inches (250 mm). Most of the Florida Keys receive 3 inches (76.2 mm) of rain or more. The highest sustained winds were recorded at 20:32 UTC (3:32 EDT) on Sept 20 in Key West at 62 mph (100 km/h). The shocks in Key West were recorded at 76 mph (122 km/h). Maximum 5 feet (1,5 m) storm surge was recorded, which flooded at least 200 homes in four blocks in Key West. Water floods to a depth of 3Ã, ft (0.91 m) reach the runway at Key West International Airport. A 1.5 ft. (0.46 m) storm surge was recorded in Miami, although no floods were reported. Small erosion also occurs on the beach facing south. At the peak of the storm, an estimated 126,000 people are without electricity. One funnel cloud was reported on Interstate 95 in Lake Worth. Wind is estimated at 30-40 mph (48-64 km/h). The sea escaping Rita on September 22 flooded the coastal part of Walton County. Moderate coastal erosion also occurs as a result of the high seas. Damage from flooding is estimated at $ 200,000. Damage in southern Florida is minimal. On September 24, the powerful current generated by Rita's remains resulted in the death of one man near Miramar Beach.
Louisiana
With an estimated cost of $ 8 billion in damage, the impact of Hurricane Rita in Louisiana varies. One person is known to have sunk during the event. Due to the storm surge, which crashed into the embankment and flooded the lowland coastal community, the greatest amount of damage extends across much of southern Louisiana, from the Mississippi River delta to the Sabine River. Extensive power outages affect about 1 million subscribers, with Entergy Louisiana reporting the biggest blackout of 601,183 subscribers lost power.
In Terrebonne Parliament, southeast Louisiana, a storm surge of 7 feet (2.1 m) flooded about 10,000 homes. Almost every embankment is violated. Some people were stranded in the flood community and had to be rescued by boat. At least 100 people reportedly rescued from the roof. Already devastated by Hurricane Katrina, Industrial Channel in New Orleans was again flooded by Hurricane Rita because the recently repaired levee was breached.
In the center-south Vermilion Parish, storm surges reach the communities of Abbeville, Gueydan, and Lake Arthur. The 10 foot (3.0 m) waves completely flooded Pecan Island, Intracoastal City, and Delcambre. Almost all structures on Pecan Island are destroyed. Rescue efforts were made for 1,000 people stranded by local floods. On Saturday, September 24 alone, 250 people were rescued.
However, the southwestern region of the country near where Rita made an undeniable landfall was the worst affected area in Louisiana.
In Cameron Parish, the damage is a major disaster, especially along the coastline and north to the Intracoastal Waterway. The coastal storm surge is thought to be about 18 feet (5.5m), with lower levels further inland than the shore, but most of North-west and north-central Cameron parishes are experiencing significant flooding. The Cameron Parish community in southern Cameron, Creole, Grand Chenier, Holly Beach, Johnson Bayou, Little Chenier and Oak Grove are completely destroyed or completely destroyed by storm surges, with nearly 95 percent of homes, businesses and infrastructure totally destroyed.. Closer to the Intracoastal Waterway, people share the same fate; Big Lake, Deatonville, Gibbstown, and Hackberry are all destroyed or heavily damaged. On Hackberry, an unofficial 180 mph windbreak was recorded on a ship tied to a local dock. Above the Intracoastal Waterway in the northern Cameron Parish, devastating damage, with the Grand Lake community, Hebert Camp, Lowry, Pelican Point, and Sweetlake suffering from severe floods and wind damage. Over a decade later, many communities south of the Intracoastal Waterway are still recovering, with their population much lower than pre-Rita levels.
To the north in Calcasieu Parish, the towns and communities of Iowa, Lake Charles, Moss Bluff, Sulfur, and Westlake suffered severe wind damage, and some areas also received floods due to storm surges and heavy rains. In Lake Charles, a storm surge that roams the Calcasieu Ship Channel from the coast is estimated at 8 feet (2.4 m). A casino boat was secured at the north end of the lake, and several barges secured at Lake Charles Harbor, regardless of their moorings, floated up to the Interstate 10 bridge over the Calcasieu River, causing minor damage. Other areas on Lake Charles also experienced massive flooding, with water reports rising 6-8 feet, at one point flooding the bottom floor of the Lake Charles Civic Center. At a hotel in the Contraband Bayou section near Interstate 210 and Prien Lake Road, it was reported that the water rose as high as the second floor. There is minor-to-major structural wind damage throughout the region, including near destruction of Lake Charles Regional Airport in the south of the city. Damage to electricity and communications infrastructure across the region is severe, and authorities warn returning citizens that service recovery to some areas will take weeks for months.
In the Calcutreu parish community west of Vinton and Starks, wind damage is also severe. The roof collapsed from the Vinton Recreation Center, and many houses were damaged by fallen trees and power lines. Faulty utility towers make power outages a problem, with most areas waiting months for utilities to recover.
Allen, Beauregard, Jeff Davis, and the Vernon parish suffered minor damage, but remained significant, wind damage and flooding due to heavy rains.
After weakening into a tropical storm, Rita enters DeSoto and Caddo Parishes. The center passes right west of Downtown Shreveport before crossing the Arkansas border. At the height of the storm, more than 175,000 people lost power in the predicted National Weather Service of Shreveport, particularly in the Far East region of Texas to northwest Louisiana. Two casualties occurred in Ark-La-Tex. A tree falls on one person; Other deaths occur when a teenager is electrocuted when picking up a "hot" power line. Shreveport recorded the second lowest pressure ever recorded as Rita's center moved through Shreveport around 6 pm Saturday night. The recorded pressure was 29.05 inches of mercury (984 mb) which was only 0.01 inches higher than the lowest pressure at a record 29.04 inches back on 27 February 1902.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, Rita produces abundant rain over her landing in Louisiana; However, much of the rain falls as early as September 25 as a heavy rain band growing over the western parts of Mississippi, northeast Louisiana and southern Arkansas, generating up to 10a, (250 mm) of rain around the Big Black River in a span of several hours. High rainfall caused massive flooding in Yazoo and Warren County. At Yazoo, many homes have deep water and area damage of $ 6 million. Damage in Warren County is less than Yazoo, for $ 2.7 million. Holmes, Hinds and Madison Counties also experienced flooding, with damage in the three counties of $ 2 million. Some roads were also flooded in Monroe County after 6 inches (150 mm) of rain fell. Winds of up to 70 mph (110 km/h) drown many trees across the state. In Adams County, winds caused some trees to fall in houses in Natchez, leaving $ 270,000 in damage. In Warren County, a mobile home was destroyed after a tree was knocked out by a strong wind.
A very large number of tornadoes were touched in the state because of Rita, with 54 confirmed in Mississippi alone. The size of the tornado plague puts it as the largest recorded by the National Weather Service's office in Jackson. Tornado F1 killed one person after throwing the car home into the air and destroy it, two other residents suffered serious injuries. Damage from a tornado alone in the state of $ 14.5 million. Six F2 tornadoes landed in Mississippi, one of which was tracked for nearly 18 miles (29 km) and grew to a width of 800 y (730 m). The tornado caused $ 2.5 million damage and injured three people after destroying one building and damaging several houses and farms. Another F1 tornado hit the car park house, demolished eleven houses, injured seven people and left $ 2 million in damages. Across the state, 2,127 shelters lost power due to strong winds.
Texas
The impact of Rita, limited to Southeast and Eastern Texas, varies, with both wind and storm surges impacting communities in various ways. Typhoon-power extended over 100 miles (160 km) inland in eastern Texas, causing extensive damage to trees in Piney Woods. Communities near and along the western side of the Sabine river, from the Gulf coast to Toledo Bend Reservoir, see the largest damage sizes. The state's worst damage occurred in several districts in Southeast Texas, including Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Jasper, Newton and Tyler counties, where damage to electricity and communications services was severe. Power is not restored in some areas throughout the region for weeks to months. The cities in the "Golden Triangle" formed by Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange, TX suffered extensive wind damage, either directly from the wind, or collectively from wind-struck trees, tree branches and/or other detritus. In Beaumont, about 25% of the trees in settlements throughout the city are depleted or heavily damaged, and in Groves (home of "The Texas Pecan Festival"), about the same percentage of pecan trees suffer the same fate. The water treatment plant at Port Neches is heavily damaged. Governor Rick Perry announced the disaster area of ​​nine areas as a result of significant damage in the community.
In Galveston, Texas, parts of the coast that are not protected by sea walls are flooded with minor storm surges. Sadly, at the peak of Rita landings, a fire broke out in the Strand Historic District; Fortunately, the Galveston firefighters react quickly, and are able to withstand and extinguish the blaze of the wind, limit damage and prevent fire from spreading throughout the city. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, although some historic buildings were damaged or damaged; the attenuated fire wall of Yaga's Cafe and Bar emptied collapsed a few hours later, possibly due to a prolonged wind blow.
For the most part, Houston escaped massive damage, regardless of the widespread electrical disruption. Several windows poured out of several skyscrapers in the city center, and some trees and traffic signals were lowered or damaged. Thirty-one deaths in Harris County are associated with Rita, mostly related to evacuation and cleansing.
In northern Houston, the 2.5-mile (2.5 km) Lake Heights dam suffered heavy damage from strong waves driven by winds of up to 117 mph (188 km/h) and officials initiated emergency water release to reduce the pressure on the dam. A number of news outlets reported on Sunday, September 25, 2005, that the dismissal puts life at risk and threatens a big bridge. Dam repairs are estimated to take months to complete. After the water level was lowered and inspections were carried out by national and local experts, the dam was declared stable on Monday evening, September 26, 2005.
Rita's landing in the extreme south-west of Louisiana leaves southeastern and eastern Texas, much greater damage than storm surges. In particular, the coastal Texas community around Galveston Bay, which lies to the west where the storms come to the mainland, is largely protected from the storm surge of Rita by its coincidence. However, Sabine Pass experienced a significant storm surge, which destroyed most of the community. The city performed in the episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which built a new fire station in the community. The new fire station was later destroyed at Hurricane Ike, which hit the Texas coast in 2008.
Wisely, mandatory Southeast Texas evacuations have been issued before Rita landings by local and state governments. As a result of Disry Governor Perry's declaration, many residents are displaced, and/or returned home after Rita can utilize up to 60 days of FEMA hotel rooms, generators, chainsaws, and financial assistance.
Elsewhere
When Hurricane Rita crossed into southern Florida on September 20, the bands out to the north produced a small rain in southern Georgia, peaking near 3 inches (76 mm). In Alabama, the storm produced 22 weak tornadoes, especially given the value of F0, causing minor damage caused by about $ 1.2 million. Heavy rains also fell associated with Rita in the state. Most of the western part of Alabama receives more than 3 inches (76 mm), with the south-center peaking about 7 inches (180 mm). Rita's remains have little impact in Tennessee, comprising only moderate rainfall, peaking near 5 inches (130 mm). Up to 3 inches (76 mm) of rain fell in southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois, western Kentucky, mostly Indiana, east and north Ohio and southern Michigan before the storm joined the frontal system on September 26.
The remains of a weakening Hurricane Rita resulted in heavy rain and several tornadoes on Sept. 24 in Arkansas. Most countries receive at least 1 inch (25 mm) of rain with a maximum amount of about 5 inches (130 mm). Three F2 tornadoes landed in the state, the first to injure five people in Lonoke County, the second being a low-end F2 tornado that completely destroys a double-car home. The third is rated as a high-end F2 with winds close to 155 mph (249 km/h); destroying three structures and damaging some others. Across the state, winds blew up to 50 mph (80 km/h), leaving 2,976 residences without electricity. Damage in Arkansas amounts to about $ 1 million.
Aftermath
Retirement
As a result of the massive destruction on the Gulf Coast, the name Rita was retired in the spring of 2006, and will never again be used for Atlantic storms. It was replaced by Rina for the 2011 Atlantic storm season list.
Economic effects
The heavy concentration of oil infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico made the storms of Rita's intensity extremely problematic. Currently, very little reserve oil capacity exists in the United States, and the Gulf of Mexico produces about 2 million barrels (320,000 m 3 ) per day total, and has about 30% of total refining capacity from the United States. The Rita track travels through offshore pipelines and oil bases, and on land to areas with large refineries. With more than half of the Gulf's production still closed after Katrina, some economists have argued that the worst-case scenario is the price of gasoline to briefly touch the $ 5/US gallon ($ 1.30/L), which would easily be the highest real price for gasoline paid in United States during the internal combustion era. However, the oil industry escapes essentially unscathed from the storm, and post-hurricane predictions are thought to be only a small price increase. With about 200,000 unemployment claims associated with Katrina, Rita may have been a further deterrent to the weakening US economy.
The most pessimistic projections have cut GDP growth by 1% annually in the United States in the second half of 2005, with as many as 500,000 unemployed. Some economists argue that the rebuilding effort could spearhead the economy in 2006, while others argue that a surge in energy could dent consumer confidence enough to send the economy into a full recession when combined with recent Federal Reserve rate hikes. While the above things happen, it does not happen until 2008, almost three years after the impact of Rita.
Due to the impending oil shortage and rising gas prices, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue expressed what he called "the day of snow," closing all Georgia public primary and secondary schools on 26 and 27 September to save fuel for buses.
The combined effect of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is the destruction of some 562 square kilometers (217 m²) of coastal wetlands in Louisiana.
Military support operations
On 24 September 2005, following the catastrophe caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the National Guard named Brig. General Douglas Pritt of the 41st Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, head of the Rita Joint Task Force (formally called JTF Ponchartrain). The 1,400 Oregonian soldiers and airmans, including the 1st Battalion of the 186th Infantry set up as rapid response units, joined military engineers and police from Louisiana, the 56th Stryker brigade of Pennsylvania, and a technical battalion from Missouri. It is their mission to provide support support for all areas in Texas and Louisiana that are affected by two storms and to remove any obstacles that might hinder assistance for those affected.
Operation American Red Cross
The American Red Cross continues to provide disaster relief to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, but as a result of Hurricane Rita, it should open additional shelters in other Gulf countries. The Red Cross also expand their Hurricane Katrina Internet "Hurricane List" for use by those affected by Hurricane Rita.
AmeriCorps rescue operation
AmeriCorps sends several crew to Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana in response to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. The crew are from two major organizations, the National Civil Society Corps (NCCC) and the Washington Conservation Corps (WCC), as well as from smaller Americorps organizations such as Americorps St. Louis' Emergency Response Team (ERT). The crew performed a number of rescue tasks for storm victims, including support for the Federal Emergency Ship (FEMA) vessel/Carnival Cruise Lines craft, clearing damaged roofs, and clearing debris. In early 2006, the AmeriCorps team has been involved in rebuilding efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi. The team has also operated volunteer camps such as Camp Premier as well as assisted by the cafe Made with Love. Until May 2006, AmeriCorps reported it would continue to send aid to the affected areas.
See also
- List of tropical cyclones
- List of Atlantic hurricanes
- Category List 5 Atlantic storm
- List of hurricane 2005 storms
- FEMA Trailer
- Timeline for the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
- List of Florida storms (2000-present)
- Texas Typhoon List (1980-present)
Note
References
External links
- The NHC Archive of Hurricane Rita
- HPC Archive of Tropical Depression Rita
- HPC rain page for Rita
- Hurricane Rita: from ruins to rebirth, from The Beaumont Enterprise
- NewsNow.co.uk's Hurry Hurry newsfeed
- Coverage of the Central Disaster Rita
- TAOS Autorun - Estimated real-time damage
- Hurricane Rita Supply Availability Map
- "Oil Drums: Rita Page Resource for Damage to Oil and Gas Infrastructure" Drum Oil: Rita Oil and Gas Resources
- The Research Model Predicts the Hurricane Intensity Prediction
- Increases the destruction of tropical cyclones
- Changes in Tropical Storm Amount, Duration, and Intensity in a Warming Environment
- Beyond Katrina - Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, continuing the restoration of news, information, and resources five years later
- Science Magazine page Katrina/Rita
- In-Color Colored Infrared Satellite Video from Hurricane Rita
- Hurricane Digital Memory Bank Preserving The Story of Katrina, Rita, and Wilma
- Redevelopment Workforce on the Gulf Coast
- Hurricanes Katrina & amp; Rita Web Archive
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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