Damn, Damn, Damn... Looks like ACL Fest is going to get rained out...

[MazeRat7]

I am guessing, based on the latest forecast, the rain will start Friday afternoon. Right now it looks like Rita will pass right over us... we are talking multiple inches of rain.....

MZr7

[LiberalEsto]

1. I wish I could have some of that rain in Maryland

We're into the 4th week of a drought and could really use it.

Good luck to you.

[rainbow4321]

2. My daughter is at UT Austin

It's her first year away from home...I know she will roll her eyes at my email but I just sent her a note telling her to stock up on food, etc... and not to make off campus plans this weekend, in case it floods down there.


So, do the locals expect it to get bad down there, after Rita makes it's way thru TX??


Stay safe!

[MazeRat7]

3. Unfortunately Austin is also "bowl" shaped....

A good thunder storm will flood low lying areas. Certainly she should "stock up" on essentials as travel will be difficult (not impossible) and (considering they way we drive down here) a bit hazardous if she is out on the roads. *grin. The good news is, even the worst flooding of the past 30 years I have seen (think about the song - It's floodin' down in Texas - Stevie Ray Vaughn) did not kill communications. Just travel and power.

Folks here are used to it and I am sure she will be fine. Having done this several times myself....my computers will be up (generator) so send me a PM here if things go to hell and you get worried....I will gladly try to relay a message for you.

MZr7

[Texasgal]

4. We are NOT bowl shaped...

We are the flash flood capitol of the world because of all the limestone we have around here. That's why we flood... not because we are "bowl shaped".

I am a native Austinite, I was born and raised here. The big flood was the memorial day flood in the 80's.

While I agree that we need to be prepared, I really don't think we should PANIC about flooding. This is not NOLA.

[MazeRat7]

5. True.. more like a valley eg. "The colorado river basin"

Topo maps show north and south Austin to be about 100+ feet higher in elevation than central Austin. That combined with the LCRA flood control damns on the east-west end.... basically make a lopsided bowl...kind of.

No we are not NO.. but how many times have the business on Lamar been flooded out after 3-4" of rain ? How often does the power go out during a typical thunderstorm ? We are talking 5+ inches of rain and 40+ mph winds for hours....

Yeah... I have been here a while too.. since '76 to be exact. Yes the limestone geology is a major factor.. but so is the topology.

Whatever... enough for now.. lets get ready and see if we can help some others out in the process...

MZr7

[Why Syzygy]

6. We were at Lake Travis

during Labor Day weekend and it was waaaaay low. The falls at McKinney falls was not even running last weekend. We walked right across it. My common sense tells me that with all the rivers, lakes, creeks that rain water will have plenty of spaces to run to.

Could be wrong about that though.