Here comes another one: Rita targets Texas

[J.R.]

As Hurricane Rita rips through the Gulf of Mexico, residents and evacuees from New Orleans are getting away from Houston, Galveston and several other locations in the Southeastern portion of Texas, as well as much of Louisiana. This has caused massive traffic jams for hundreds of miles, with people running out of gas on their way out. Already it has been chaotic and the majority of the damage has not been done yet. It is expected that the category four storm (downgraded from a five today) will slam into the coast, near the TX/LA stateline, on late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Another part of the great United States is going to be ruined. My thoughts go out to those who have been and who will be affected.

[The Insider]

My thoughts and prayers go out to these people affected by these devastating storms. It's tough to think about these people giving up everything they possess to flee from something that potentially and likely will destroy homes and businesses, I know it's something that is hard to accept and hopefully these people put their health and safety above everything else and get out before the storm strikes. Really makes you sit back and think how lucky some of us really are to not have to worry about these storms and disasters, although with the way things are progressing that could become the case sooner or later.

[Iced Tea]

My heart goes out to the children of the morons who continue to live year round on the gulf coast of the United States.

To the citizens of Glavaston I say, "Hey geniuses, the island is 8 feet above sea level and protected by a 17 feet above sea level seawall. Major storms mean a surge of 20 - 50 feet of water. Might not be the smartest place to live.".

To the US government, "Maybe rebuilding Louisana isn't the smartest thing to do. It's below sea level and the sea is rising every year. So spending millions to rebuild in the same spot isn't the best use of money. Even with better levees, Mother Nature is still going to kick butt.".

Good luck to everyone, I hope everyone makes it through Rita, even the morons who stay and then need to be rescued afterwards.

[Newfie John]

I heard it's down to a Cat-3. Still relentless and very dangerous but I don't think we'll see something like New Orleans here.

[Iced Tea]

I heard it's down to a Cat-3. Still relentless and very dangerous but I don't think we'll see something like New Orleans here.The National Hurricane Center says it's a Category 4 and the Hurricane Center guy who appears on CNN says that it could go back up to a Category 5 before landfall.

National Hurricane Center (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/)

[Iced Tea]

My thoughts are with the as many as 24 (as reported by the police) elderly from Bellaire, Texas, who died in the bus explosion/fire on the freeway south of Dallas (Interstate 45) while being evacuated.

CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/23/bus.fire/) says
Sheriff: Up to 20 evacuees may be dead in bus fire
Residents were leaving Houston ahead of Hurricane Rita

Friday, September 23, 2005; Posted: 8:58 a.m. EDT (12:58 GMT)

http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2005/US/09/23/bus.fire/story.busfire.jpg
A news helicopter captured images of the burning bus early Friday near Dallas, Texas.

DALLAS, Texas (CNN) -- A bus carrying as many as 45 elderly hurricane evacuees from Houston exploded in flames Friday south of Dallas, killing as many as 20 people, police said.

Dallas County Sheriff's Sgt. Don Peritz said 14 to 15 people got off the bus and said as many as 20 others may have died.

Peritz said the incident is believed to have started with a mechanical problem -- a brake that caught on fire.

The bus pulled to the side of Interstate 45 and people were getting off when there was a series of explosions believed to have been caused by oxygen canisters being carried by the evacuees.

A witness told CNN affiliate WFAA that he saw the bus explode and that he helped people who were breaking out windows trying to escape.

The witness said the people on the bus were evacuees leaving Houston as Hurricane Rita approached the Texas coast.

Dozens of ambulances responded to the incident and rescuers could be seen treating the injured on the side of the expressway.

The highway, which is jammed with traffic as residents of Houston attempt to flee from Hurricane Rita, was blocked.Current number is up to 24 dead.

CNN TV just said that flooding is happening in the 9th Ward of New Orleans due to levee leaks. The 9th Ward is one of the hardest hit parts of New Orleans, CNN says.

[charlio lemieux]

Try to escape getting drowned and end up getting burnt. There was no way they were going to win was there.

It looks like New Orleans will be getting some heavy weather as well. It appears the city will be hit with the right side of the storm.

Just saw on CNN there are levee's already letting water into the city.

[THE HACK]

Yep,3 more levees have broken in New Orleans so its starting all over again with water continually rising from the rainfall.Lets just all pray for the safety of everyone that will be in Hurricane Rita's path.

Cheers