Category 4 Hurricane Katrina Devastates Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama

Related story:

Wet and jaded

As the worst of hurricane season nears, emergency
officials worry that being soaked but mostly spared last year may have
bred false security.

More on tropical depression #10:

Tropical wave may bring showers to C. Florida

A tropical wave near Cuba is expected to bring extra doses of rain this week to Central Florida, forecasters said today.

The
disorganized area of cloudiness and showers -- the remnants of Tropical
Depression 10 -- extends from eastern Cuba and Hispaniola across the
Turks and Caicos Islands into the Atlantic for several hundred miles,
the National Hurricane Center said.

Local forecasters indicate that Tropical Depression 12 is forecast to become a tropical storm by the time it hits Florida. The next named storm is Katrina.

Once out in Gulf waters, forecasters also state that it is possible the storm will develop into a hurricane. They also note that while there are plenty of computer models supporting a cross over Florida, these systems do remain unpredictable.

Related stories today/tonight:

Tropical storm might hit South Florida with near-hurricane winds

A tropical depression in the Bahamas
could build to near hurricane strength and hit the South Florida coast
sometime late Thursday. The National Hurricane Center expects Tropical
Depression Number 12 to build to tropical storm strength by early
tomorrow.

The depression would become Tropical Storm Katrina if it reaches 39 miles-an-hour.

and

Oil edges to USD65.70 on storm warning

Crude-oil futures crept higher today, as traders kept a watchful eye out for signs of tropical storm activity.

The National Weather Service in the US reported overnight that a "large
tropical wave ... has the potential for continued gradual development
during the next couple of days" as it moves westward across the
Atlantic Ocean.

and

What To Do Before A Hurricane Threatens

Trop. Depression to Hit South Florida by Thursday; May Be Katrina

MIAMI (AP) - A tropical depression that flared up in the Bahamas
on Tuesday, may hit Florida as early as Thursday as a named tropical
storm, forecasters said.

The storm would be named Katrina, and appeared to be aiming for quick passage across Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico.

National Hurricane Center update at 5:00 a.m.:

BULLETIN
TROPICAL DEPRESSION TWELVE ADVISORY NUMBER 3
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
5 AM EDT WED AUG 24 2005

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS OF THE EAST COAST OF FLORIDA AND THE FLORIDA KEYS FROM WEST OF THE SEVEN MILE BRIDGE NORTHWARD TO VERO BEACH. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA... GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS. A HURRICANE WATCH MAY BE REQUIRED LATER TODAY FOR PORTIONS OF THE FLORIDA EAST COAST.

and

Oil Rises Above $66 on Forecast for Hurricane in Gulf of Mexico

Aug. 24 (Bloomberg) -- Crude oil rose, surpassing $66 a barrel in New York for a fourth day, on concern a storm developing near the Bahamas may strengthen into a hurricane and threaten U.S. rigs as it crosses into the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend.

and

Tropical storm could be just days away

A tropical depression formed Tuesday off Florida's east coast and
forecasters expect it to become a tropical storm before it makes
landfall later this week.

The storm is projected to come ashore in southeast Florida late Thursday with winds approaching hurricane strength.

The Tampa Bay area could see heavy thundershowers, localized
flooding and high winds on Friday and Saturday as the storm travels
west across the peninsula.

 and

Florida coast under storm watch

(CNN) -- A tropical storm watch was issued
late Tuesday for the southeast Florida coast and parts of the Florida
Keys, as a tropical depression southeast of the Bahamas appeared to be
picking up steam and approaching tropical storm strength.

The MTV Video Music Awards show is scheduled to take place this weekend in Miami. I wonder how Katrina will affect the guests and the overall show. See related story on NowPublic.

Video forecast of Katrina 1

Video forecast of Katrina 2

 Katrina may hit Florida as a hurricane

Southeast Florida under hurricane warning

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- More than 5 million
people living in metropolitan Miami and surrounding areas of southeast
Florida were warned to prepare for Tropical Storm Katrina, which could
strike the coast as a minimal hurricane late Thursday or early Friday.

More:

Katrina May Be Hurricane At Florida Landfall

Hurricane = canceled weekend plans

 

Survivors
of Hurricanes Andrew and Charley remember anniversary  

According to the National Hurricane Center:

BULLETIN
HURRICANE KATRINA INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 9A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
7 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2005

...EYE OF KATRINA CURRENTLY MAKING LANDFALL BETWEEN HALLANDALE BEACH
AND NORTH MIAMI BEACH WITH 80 MPH WINDS...PORT EVERGLADES JUST
REPORTED GUSTS TO 92 MPH WINDS...

Hurricane Katrina makes landfall; 2 dead

HOLLYWOOD, Florida (CNN) -- The eye of
Hurricane Katrina made landfall about 6:30 p.m. ET near the
Miami-Dade-Broward county line, National Hurricane Center director Max
Mayfield said Thursday evening.

000
WTNT32 KNHC 260055
TCPAT2
BULLETIN
HURRICANE KATRINA INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 9B
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
9 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2005

...KATRINA RELENTLESSLY POUNDING SOUTH FLORIDA...CALM OF THE LARGE EYE EXPERIENCED AT THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER...

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEAST FLORIDA COAST FROM JUPITER INLET SOUTHWARD TO FLORIDA CITY...INCLUDING LAKE OKEECHOBEE. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR ALL OF THE FLORIDA KEYS AND FLORIDA BAY FROM KEY WEST NORTHWARD. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS ALSO IN EFFECT ALONG THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA FROM LONGBOAT KEY SOUTH AND EASTWARD TO SOUTH OF FLORIDA CITY. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT ALONG THE FLORIDA EAST COAST FROM NORTH OF JUPITER INLET TO VERO BEACH.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PORTIONS THE FLORIDA WEST COAST FROM NORTH OF LONGBOAT KEY TO ANCLOTE KEY AND FOR THE EAST-CENTRAL FLORIDA COAST FROM NORTH OF VERO BEACH TO TITUSVILLE ...INCLUDING ALL OF MERRITT ISLAND. A TROPICAL STORM WATCH MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 9 PM EDT...0100Z...THE EYE OF HURRICANE KATRINA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 25.8 NORTH...LONGITUDE 80.4 WEST. THIS POSITION IS JUST TO THE NORTHWEST OF THE MIAMI NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE /NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY.

KATRINA IS MOVING SOUTH OF DUE WEST NEAR 6 MPH AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS. ON THIS TRACK...THE KATRINA SHOULD MOVE FARTHER INLAND ALONG SOUTH FLORIDA TONIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE 80 MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. KATRINA IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. STRONGER WINDS...ESPECIALLY IN GUSTS...ARE LIKELY ON HIGH RISING BUILDINGS. A GRADUAL WEAKENING IS EXPECTED AS KATRINA CONTINUES TO MOVE INLAND ACROSS SOUTH FLORIDA AND THE EVERGLADES TONIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY.

HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 15 MILES FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 80 MILES.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 984 MB... 29.06 INCHES. THE MIAMI NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST OFFICE JUST MEASURED A PRESSURE OF 985 MB...29.09 INCHES.

STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 2 TO 4 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS... ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED NEAR AND TO THE NORTH OF THE LANDFALL POINT.

DUE TO ITS SLOW FORWARD SPEED...KATRINA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE A SIGNIFICANT HEAVY RAINFALL EVENT OVER SOUTH FLORIDA...AND THE CENTRAL AND NORTHWEST BAHAMAS. TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 6 TO 10 INCHES WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE.

ISOLATED TORNADOES WILL ALSO BE POSSIBLE OVER SOUTHERN FLORIDA AND THE FLORIDA KEYS.

REPEATING THE 9 PM EDT POSITION...25.8 N... 80.4 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST NEAR 6 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 80 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE... 984 MB.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT 11 PM EDT.

FORECASTER AVILA

$$

Weather Channel forecasters just predicted that the second Katrina landfall (now expected to be the Florida panhandle) will be much stronger than tonight's landfall in the Miami area. Katrina has the opportunity to maintain much of her strength as she moves across Florida and enters Gulf waters further south than first anticipated. This means Katrina will have more time over Gulf waters, therefore more opportunity to become much stronger.

HURRICANE KATRINA TROPICAL CYCLONE POSITION ESTIMATE
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
10 PM EDT THU AUG 25 2005

AT 10 PM EDT...0200Z...THE EYE OF HURRICANE KATRINA WAS ESTIMATED BY RADAR NEAR LATITUDE 25.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE 80.6 WEST. THIS POSITION IS INLAND OVER THE EVERGLADES ABOUT 15 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE CITY OF HOMESTEAD FLORIDA.

Local forecasters state that Katrina didn't lose much steam as she passed over the southeast and southwest of Florida overnight and re-enters the Gulf as a category 1 hurricane. They expect Katrina to strengthen to a category 2 or stronger when it hits land again somewhere in the Florida panhandle. Much of the central and southwest coast of Florida, along the Gulf, is under a warning or watch.

Related:

2005 Hurricane Season

Three dead after Katrina hits Florida

 Current computer models on Skeetobite

Video: Two dead as Katrina slams South Florida with 80 mph winds

Video: Fans of “Hurricanes”…no fans of hurricanes

Video: Sarasota County residents advised to prepare for Katrina 

Video: Forecast 

Four Dead As Katrina Slams South Florida

Forecasters say 2005 could be among stormiest years ever

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- This year's
record-breaking start to the hurricane season is only the beginning of
what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Tuesday
said could be an unusually violent year.

More stories:

Forecasters: Katrina to aim for Mississippi, Louisiana
Deadly hurricane could hit again Monday as a Category 4

Latest Computer Models

Citizen Journalists Reports on MSNBC

Shell, BP evacuate Gulf of Mexico workers due to Hurricane Katrina

Video: Katrina
far enough away that all watches and warnings canceled

Hurricane Katrina gains power in Gulf

MIAMI (Reuters) - Hurricane Katrina gained power over warm Gulf
waters and revved up for a second and potentially more deadly assault
on the U.S. coast after a slow and punishing trek across southern
Florida that killed seven people.

By 11 p.m. EDT (0300 GMT) on
Friday, the hurricane was 115 miles west of Key West at the tip of the
Florida Keys, with winds of 105 mph (170 kph).

More:

Katrina Regains Hurricane Status, Turns West in Gulf (Update1)

Oil: Price holds above US$67 as hurricane hits US

BULLETIN
HURRICANE KATRINA ADVISORY NUMBER 16
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
5 AM EDT SAT AUG 27 2005

...KATRINA BECOMES A MAJOR HURRICANE WITH 115 MPH WINDS...

Louisiana Governor Orders Evacuations As Hurricane Katrina Threatens US Gulf Coast

Officials in the southern U.S. state of Louisiana have issued evacuation orders ahead of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Katrina, which is gaining strength as it churns across the Gulf of Mexico.

Miss. officials keep close watch on Hurricane Katrina

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi emergency
agencies were closely tracking Hurricane Katrina on Friday as the storm
churned into the Gulf of Mexico.

"We are watching the track closely," said Mississippi Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Lea Stokes.

Hurricane Katrina aims for U.S. Gulf oil patch

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Crude oil and natural gas producers in
the U.S. Gulf of Mexico accelerated evacuations and output
stoppages on Saturday after forecasters predicted Hurricane
Katrina threatened offshore production.

Storm Katrina drenches region, takes aim again

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Flooded streets resembled canals, sailboats sat
on the sand and a highway overpass lay in ruin Friday after Hurricane
Katrina plodded across south Florida.

 The storm then gained power as it moved over the Gulf of Mexico, on a
path to hit the state again -- making landfall in the Florida Panhandle
as early as Monday, possibly as a Category 4 storm.

HURRICANE KATRINA FORECAST/ADVISORY NUMBER 19...CORRECTED

NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL122005

0300Z SUN AUG 28 2005

...

TO CORRECT THE WIND RADII AT INITIAL TIME...

AT 10 PM CDT...0300Z...A HURRICANE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED 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.

CNN's special report on Hurricane Katrina

New Orleans/Baton Rouge, LA Radar

Mobile, AL Radar 

HURRICANE KATRINA TROPICAL CYCLONE UPDATE
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
1240 AM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005

...SHORTLY AFTER 1215 AM CDT... 0515Z... AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE
AIRCRAFT REPORTED THAT MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS IN HURRICANE KATRINA
HAD INCREASED TO NEAR 145 MPH... CATEGORY FOUR ON THE
SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE. DETAILS WILL FOLLOW SHORTLY IN A
SPECIAL ADVISORY TO BE ISSUED AT APPROXIMATELY 1 AM CDT...0600Z.
THE SPECIAL PUBLIC ADVISORY WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF THE INTERMEDIATE
PUBLIC ADVISORY PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED FOR THAT TIME.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale:

Category Four Hurricane:

Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Storm surge
generally 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures
with some complete roof structure failures on small residences.
Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of
mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape
routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the
shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded
requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6
miles (10 km). Hurricane Charley of 2004 was
a Category Four hurricane made landfall in Charlotte County, Florida with winds of 150 mph. Hurricane Dennis of 2005 struck the island of Cuba as a Category Four hurricane.

 

Category Five Hurricane:

Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge
generally greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on
many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building
failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs,
trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes.
Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes
are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of
the hurricane. Major damage to lower floors of all structures
located less
than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline.
Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10
miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required. Only 3 Category
Five Hurricanes have made landfall in the United States
since records began: The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane
Camille (1969), and Hurricane Andrew
in August, 1992. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane struck the Florida
Keys with a minimum pressure of 892 mb--the lowest pressure ever observed in
the United States. Hurricane Camille struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast
causing a 25-foot storm surge, which inundated Pass Christian.
Hurricane Andrew of 1992 made landfall over southern
Miami-Dade County, Florida causing 26.5 billion dollars in losses--the costliest hurricane on record.
In addition, Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 was a
Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic
tropical cyclone on record with a minimum pressure of 888 mb.

 

Not good news for the New Orleans and other potentially impacted areas:

BULLETIN
HURRICANE KATRINA SPECIAL ADVISORY NUMBER 20
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
1 AM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005

...KATRINA STRENGTHENS TO CATEGORY FOUR WITH 145 MPH WINDS...REPORTS FROM AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS HAVE INCREASED AND ARE NOW NEAR 145
MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. KATRINA IS A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE ON
THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS POSSIBLE
TODAY.

Southeast Louisianans flee as Hurricane Katrina heads for coast

NEW ORLEANS — Residents of low-lying coastal communities were told
today to pack up and head for higher ground before Hurricane Katrina
strengthens and takes a “possible direct hit” on southeast Louisiana,
and motorists lined up for blocks to fill their gas tanks.

HURRICANE KATRINA SPECIAL DISCUSSION NUMBER 20
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
2 AM EDT SUN AUG 28 2005

THIS SPECIAL ADVISORY IS BEING ISSUED TO UPDATE THE INITIAL AND
FORECAST INTENSITY OF HURRICANE KATRINA. AN AIR FORCE
RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT REPORTED 700 MB FLIGHT LEVEL WINDS OF 137
KT IN THE NORTHWESTERN EYEWALL... CORRESPONDING TO ABOUT 125 KT AT
THE SURFACE. THE LATEST MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE MEASURED BY THE
AIRCRAFT WAS 935 MB. ALTHOUGH THE HURRICANE HAS REACHED 125 KT
MORE QUICKLY THAN PREVIOUSLY EXPECTED...THE INTENSITY FORECAST UP
UNTIL LANDFALL HAS ONLY BEEN NUDGED UPWARD TO 130 KT. IT IS
POSSIBLE THAT KATRINA COULD GET STRONGER THAN FORECAST AND PERHAPS
EVEN REACH CATEGORY FIVE STATUS SOMETIME DURING THE NEXT 36 HOURS.

Video coverage 1
Video coverage 2
More here

In just a few hours since my last updates, Katrina has strengthened from a category 4 to a catastrophic category 5:

BULLETIN
HURRICANE KATRINA SPECIAL ADVISORY NUMBER 22
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
7 AM CDT SUN AUG 28 2005

...KATRINA...NOW A POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY FIVE
HURRICANE...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.