Katrina now has 175mph sustained winds

[shawmut]

Hurricane Katrina Advisory Number 23

Statement as of 10:00 am CDT on August 28, 2005

...Potentially catastrophic Hurricane Katrina...even
stronger...headed for the northern Gulf Coast...

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the north central Gulf Coast
from Morgan City Louisiana eastward to the Alabama/Florida
border...including the city of New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
within the warning area within the next 24 hours. Preparations to
protect life and property should be rushed to completion.


A Tropical Storm Warning and a Hurricane Watch are in effect from
east of the Alabama/Florida border to Destin Florida...and from
west of Morgan City to Intracoastal City Louisiana. A Tropical
Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected
within the warning area within the next 24 hours. A Hurricane Watch
means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch
area...generally within 36 hours.


A Tropical Storm Warning is also in effect from Destin Florida
eastward to Indian Pass Florida...and from Intracoastal City
Louisiana westward to Cameron Louisiana.


For storm information specific to your area...including possible
inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued
by your local weather office.


At 10 am CDT...1500z...the center of Hurricane Katrina was located
near latitude 26.0 north... longitude 88.1 west or about 225 miles
south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River.


Katrina is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph...and a turn
toward the northwest and north-northwest is expected over the next
24 hours.


Reports from an Air Force hurricane hunter aircraft indicate that
the maximum sustained winds have increased to near 175 mph...with
higher gusts. Katrina is a potentially catastrophic category five
hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Some fluctuations in
strength are likely during the next 24 hours.


Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the
center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up
to 205 miles.


The Air Force hurricane hunter plane recently measured a minimum
central pressure of 907 mb...26.78 inches.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 18 to 22 feet above normal tide
levels...locally as high as 28 feet along with large and dangerous
battering waves...can be expected near and to the east of where the
center makes landfall.


Rainfall totals of 5 to 10 inches...with isolated maximum amounts of
15 inches...are possible along the path of Katrina across the Gulf
Coast and the Tennessee Valley. Rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches
are possible across the Ohio Valley into the eastern Great Lakes
region Tuesday and Wednesday.

Isolated tornadoes will be possible beginning this evening over
southern portions of Louisiana...Mississippi...and Alabama...and
over the Florida Panhandle.

Repeating the 10 am CDT position...26.0 N... 88.1 W. Movement
toward...west-northwest near 12 mph. Maximum sustained winds...
175 mph. Minimum central pressure... 907 mb.


An intermediate advisory will be issued by the National Hurricane
Center at 1 PM CDT followed by the next complete advisory at 4 PM
CDT.


Forecaster Pasch

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. ...and of course, Global Warming has NOTHING to do with the fact that...

storms are much stronger the past few years....anyone going to pick up that connection and pin it to *'s ass? I doubt it.

[lpbk2713]

5. Stronger AND more numerous.

They start earlier in the season now and last further into it than they used to. Gee what a coincidence.

[jus_the_facts]

2. here she comes...straight for Louisiana...eventhough I'm in the northeast.

:scared:

[karlrschneider]

3. Stronger than Andrew!

This is going to be a historic catastrophe.
:-(

[BrklynLiberal]

4. ..and the LA National Guardsmen that could help........are in Iraq!

Thank you very much George Bush!!!!

[BrklynLiberal]

6. George Bush wishes New Orleans and the rest of LA good luck...

[lpbk2713]

7. Now watch this drive............ n/t

[rbjensen]

8. JESUS H. CHRIST.

New Orleans is FULL of people with no access to cars. There is a huge... just huge (60K or more) class of urban folks there who are good and stuck. Public shelters aren't any help when the whole city is under water.

If you can spare any time, pack your cars with water and diapers (biggest needs in shelters) and get ready to move in that direction. These people are going to need massive help by Tuesday.

And the National Guard is ... uh... occupied elsewhere.