Here we go again!!! (hurricane)

[ImpulseTaco]

Rita just got upgraded to Cat5 earlier today. They're expecting this one to hit Texas on the Texas coast somewhere. (my hometown is Houston, which is dead in the middle of its path) Being from Houston, I have a strong feeling that we won't be seeing the massive amounts of looting that happened in NO. Also the Feds are going to be quick to respond on this one, because they don't want to look like asses twice, and its the Presidents home state.

Houston is also not *below* sea level, so while there will be some flooding, it shouldn't be nearly to the extent that was seen in NO.

[TheSneakiness]

And watch the fuel prices go through the roof because theres a hurricane.

What a weak excuse.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

And watch the fuel prices go through the roof because theres a hurricane.

What a weak excuse.

How can you say that when the facts of the matter have been so well hashed out following Katrina????????

But anyways...

Impulse - you say that you expect less looting.. is this as a result of the demographic of houston? i.e. seemed like there was a lot of poor people in n'orleans and I can only assume these guys were the main participants in the looting...

I saw last night on fox news they had begun voluntary evacuations and I can only assume if its cat 5 (usually cat 4 by time hit land, yeah?) they will start mandatory evacuations.

I would also expect FEMA to respond better this time. Lesson learnt in NO...

Surely this will put a strain on emergency resources? Considering a lot of evacuees from NO wound up in houston!

[ImpulseTaco]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

How can you say that when the facts of the matter have been so well hashed out following Katrina????????

But anyways...

Impulse - you say that you expect less looting.. is this as a result of the demographic of houston? i.e. seemed like there was a lot of poor people in n'orleans and I can only assume these guys were the main participants in the looting...

I saw last night on fox news they had begun voluntary evacuations and I can only assume if its cat 5 (usually cat 4 by time hit land, yeah?) they will start mandatory evacuations.

I would also expect FEMA to respond better this time. Lesson learnt in NO...

Surely this will put a strain on emergency resources? Considering a lot of evacuees from NO wound up in houston!

There are several reasons I expect less looting in Houston.
1. Demographics. Yes we do have our share of poor people, but on average Houston is a more affluent city, and our lower class is smaller than NO's is.

2. There are LOTS of people with guns in Houston. I heard from friends today that the Academy's (local sporting goods chain) was selling out of guns and ammunition. Looters don't loot from armed people.

3. Texas Dept. Of Public Safety (TxDPS; these guys are the "State Troopers" and "Texas Rangers") is no joke. These guys are some of the toughest civilian law enforcement around. Now HPD (Houston PD) ain't the greatest, or most honest, the State Troopers and Rangers will keep people in line.

4. The national guard is already on standby waiting for orders to deploy.

5. The Governor and state agencies (feds too) are doing all they can to get people out now. This does alot for morale, becuase there isn't that "left behind" feeling like alot of people in NO had, so the only people that will be left are the people that WANTED to stay and ride out the 'cane.

[ImpulseTaco]

I can't believe what happens to our oil prices affects you guys. Ya'll are on the other side of the damn planet. I would imagine that there would be closer oil supplies than us? Is there any domestic oil production down there?

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by ImpulseTaco

I can't believe what happens to our oil prices affects you guys. Ya'll are on the other side of the damn planet. I would imagine that there would be closer oil supplies than us? Is there any domestic oil production down there?

Yes we produce about 60% of our needs - but the refineries here have to pay them the global price, or else Australian based oil drillers will simply sell it to offshore refineries.

We also have to import refined product as our refineries cant produce enough fuel to satisfy us - so again, we are exposed to the global price.

So when the market sees that the gulf of mexico production and refineries are out of action and the US is going to be importing more than usual and hence global prices are pushed up... so we have to pay more to our local refineries/producers or else they might end up selling it to you guys, lol.

[parawolf]

Originally Posted by ImpulseTaco

I can't believe what happens to our oil prices affects you guys. Ya'll are on the other side of the damn planet. I would imagine that there would be closer oil supplies than us? Is there any domestic oil production down there?

There is - but it is all exported, we get all our oil out of the global market, which the USA is a large contributer to.

There was a thread on here somewhere which outlines the process, but basically the local refineries get a better price on the global market then undercutting this and selling locally. Which means more $$$ for the refineries and more expensive petrol for the consumer. Everyone wins! :

[ImpulseTaco]

Originally Posted by AUII_SE_Ute

And watch the fuel prices go through the roof because theres a hurricane.

What a weak excuse.

Its VERY possible. Most of the offshore platforms in the gulf that were evacuated for Katrina, went online like 2 weeks ago, and are now having to re-evacuate. Also, they are shutting down the big refineries to evac everyone.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by ImpulseTaco

Its VERY possible. Most of the offshore platforms in the gulf that were evacuated for Katrina, went online like 2 weeks ago, and are now having to re-evacuate. Also, they are shutting down the big refineries to evac everyone.

Oil spot prices went up a record $4 in one day as Rita approached the south tip of Florida....

So aussies are expecting about $1.40/L this weekend I think.

How many hours before it it will hit the area?

[ImpulseTaco]

It sounds like they're expecting it to make landfall sometime Saturday morning. (right now its 1130 thursday night) so people are preparing much better than I think they did for Katrina.

[parawolf]

Originally Posted by nhc.noaa.gov

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 175 MPH...280 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. RITA IS A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE ON
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME FLUCTUATIONS IN INTENSITY ARE LIKELY
DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 70 MILES...110 KM...
FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP
TO 185 MILES...295 KM.

THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 897 MB...26.49 INCHES.
THIS MEANS RITA IS THE THIRD MOST INTENSE HURRICANE IN TERMS OF
PRESSURE IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN.

Full Text available at the National Hurricane Centre

[TheSneakiness]

Apparantly there is. Somewhere.

Just the oil companies and government ripping us off.

Anyways, I hope this hurricane doesn't have the same devastation that Katrina had.

[Casper]

We have plenty of domestic reserves and production however we are linked to global prices. If prices for crude per barrel go up, we get those costs as well, regardless of why it has happened.

As for this new threat to Housten, good luck, stay safe and make sure you dont take any risks. Lives are irreplaceable, property is just 'stuff'

Let us all know how you go.

[ImpulseTaco]

That sucks that you guys are exposed to the global prices like that. Maybe the govt. should cut taxes to make gas more affordable for you guys, considering current events.

I appreciate the kind words, I believe that I am well out of the path of destruction.

I'm currently in Lubbock, at school (university) and my parents are coming up to Lubbock to get away from the destruction.

Map for you guys:



Its roughly 600 miles between Houston and Lubbock.

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by ImpulseTaco

That sucks that you guys are exposed to the global prices like that. Maybe the govt. should cut taxes to make gas more affordable for you guys, considering current events.

Lol, dont get em started impulse...

Best of luck, seems like y'all in a good spot. Hopefully not too much damage in the city. I'll be watching.

[bindi]

Can I make this about OVERSEAS politics??? Hey mods??? _ :evil_laug

Texas's governor happens to be Jed Bush, Dubya's cousin. Of COURSE he'll get all the friggin help he and his state needs... it's Dubya's home town.

He doesn't give a rats about New Orleans, and was hoping that the poorer black population that didn't vote for him were eradicated.

DISCLAIMER: This is my opinion only!!!

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by bindi

He doesn't give a rats about New Orleans, and was hoping that the poorer black population that didn't vote for him were eradicated.

Ouch, that's nasty! :gren:

PS. It's Jeb :

[Sourbastard]

apparently its going to be quite a storm. Some of my friends in Corpus Cristi have been evacuated already.

[BA GT-HO]

Bindi you say a lot of stupid things but that tops the list..

[Valknutr]

wouldnt armed looters lott anyone anyway??
Oh yeah i forgot you have that texas walker guy there hehehe

[donno]

Best of luck, hopefully her bark will be worse then her bite.

Originally Posted by Valknutr

wouldnt armed looters lott anyone anyway??

OT: Possibly, but at least you've got the right to wave a gun right back at them and defend your property.

[MO]

Originally Posted by donno

Best of luck, hopefully her bark will be worse then her bite.



OT: Possibly, but at least you've got the right to wave a gun right back at them and defend your property.

Yep unlike us who had our guns taken away.....stupid pollies.

[bindi]

Originally Posted by BA GT-HO

Bindi you say a lot of stupid things but that tops the list..

Yeah you're right, just an opinion and not a very good one at that. I just see the difference in response from the US government to New Orleans and Texas, and conspiracy theories run through my head in less than 2.5 seconds.

And exactly what other "stupid" things have I said? Just because you may not agree with what I say, it does NOT make it stupid. It's a difference of opinion... and I'll kick your **** if you disagree with me! :P :thebirds:

[b2tf]

Originally Posted by bindi

And exactly what other "stupid" things have I said? Just because you may not agree with what I say, it does NOT make it stupid. It's a difference of opinion... and I'll kick your **** if you disagree with me! :P :thebirds:

Not everybody has to agree, that goes both ways too. But there is no real need to start things like this here.

[MO]

Originally Posted by back2thefutura

Not everybody has to agree, that goes both ways too. But there is no real need to start things like this here.

Agree not really needed here...Bindi chill have another cammomile tea.

[Kapn_Kiwi]

Originally Posted by bindi

Yeah you're right, just an opinion and not a very good one at that. I just see the difference in response from the US government to New Orleans and Texas, and conspiracy theories run through my head in less than 2.5 seconds.

I think this is because the government doesn't want to get their asses kicked about two very similar situations in such a short timespan. There's no doubt they're better prepared this time, but surely if Texas had been devastated similarly, and then another storm was seen heading toward NO, there would have been a response like this one.

[ImpulseTaco]

First off, our governor is NOT Jeb Bush. Hes the governor of Florida. Our guy is Rick Perry. 2ndly I haven't heard anything about DJ's in galveston. Its possible it would be on the news, but up here in Lubbock, its a bit hard to get radio reception from galveston. 3rdly I agree that the Feds aren't going to be as stupid or as slow as they were last time.

An update on whats happening.
It sounds like there has been a manditory evacuation of Harris County. Thats a LOT of people to move. I talked to my parents this AM and they were stuck in the worst traffic jam my dad says hes ever seen. He said he'd been on the roads (main interstate, big highway) and it was gridlock as far as he could see in either direction. It took him 2 hours to travel approx. 20 miles. From what he described it sounds like mass chaos, and all the cars stuck in a giant mess, like you see on "end of the world" type movies. Katy (suburb of houston where we're from) has been out of gasoline for a day and a half now. Luckily my dads truck has got 2 large (~25 gallon) tanks so it should last as long as he takes it easy, and doesn't burn it all idling in the gridlock.

As some of you have mentioned, yea, this IS Texas and *thank God* my parents DO own guns, and know how to use them, so I'm not terribly worried about their safety as of yet.

I'll keep posted as I know more.

[bindi]

Originally Posted by ImpulseTaco

First off, our governor is NOT Jeb Bush.

You see, PROOF that I am an idiot! Woohoo! And see how little I know about overseas politics but still manage to have an opinion!

I've mentioned to various people that I really am blonde on the inside. I'll shut up about it for now... : :

Originally Posted by ImpulseTaco

I'll keep posted as I know more.

Yes please do... the resident ffau idiot redhead is hoping it's NOT like NO for you guys. Take care.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by ImpulseTaco

As some of you have mentioned, yea, this IS Texas and *thank God* my parents DO own guns, and know how to use them, so I'm not terribly worried about their safety as of yet.

Firstly, sad to hear that another storm is coming. But that comment makes me very glad I live here and not there. What kind of society is that when you HAVE to have a gun to feel safe. I know you have a different history etc etc, but damn!

If this was to happen here, im sorry, but we would help each other out. While there would be the usual a-holes, the majority would be civilised.

Good luck with it though.