Katrina to become Category 4 hurricane

Well now we have power here in Miami Beach, but the phone lines went out a little while ago for some reason (though thank god DSL is still working!). I just noticed this on the CNN home page. People in northern Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana need to keep close watch on this storm - it was nasty as hell as a category 1, I can't imagine it as a category 4 I hope everyone in its path take this storm seriously, and manage to stay safe.

Updated: 4:06 p.m. EDT (20:06 GMT), August 26, 2005
Hurricane Katrina strengthens to Category 2

Hurricane Katrina is strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico -- with sustained winds topping 100 mph -- after battering the metro Miami area and leaving more than a million customers without power. Forecasters predict Katrina will become a Category 3 hurricane by Saturday and may hit Category 4 -- with sustained winds of nearly 130 mph -- by the time it hits the Florida Panhandle on Monday.

Thanks, Ano Roker.

Glad to see that you are safe Cristiano.

This was really a surprising storm, in fact, I did not know it was coming toward us until my brother in San Diego called & told me about it on Wednesday morning because according to the tracking map it was slated to hit land right where I live. I did not even have time to put up my shutters and really, was very lucky that I have no broken windows because that wind was screaming last night.

Still without power here (and probably will be until Tuesday), but learned my lesson after Francias and bought a little generator earlier this year. Have the WIFI plugged into that but sadly, not enough juice to log into SL.

Spent all day today cutting up downed trees and bushes - but if that's the worst of it, I got off really lucky because the winds clocked at Ft. Laud airport were sustained 85+ with gusts > 100 last night.

Hope everyone else who lives in this neck of the woods is OK and wishing the best for those of you in the panhandle. Hope Schwan, his family and his sheep are all ok. As Cristiano said, take it seriously, it's a sneeky bitch of a storm.
.

.

There was just an update to Katrina, it looks like it is now possibly heading to the border of Louisiana and Mississippi by Monday evening, but these things can change direction pretty quickly. Even if it hits there, where I'm at will still be on the east side of the storm. I live about 30 minutes west of Pensacola.

Best site: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

My money is on moving the track even more westward. I betcha it goes Nawleans or west, maybe even Texas. They've been pushing the track westward every update, I'll bet they keep doing that. These things don't always do what they are supposed to do, so actually it wouldn't shock me if it turned around and came back at me again!

We still had feeder bands coming through here late this evening (ft lauderdale). The thing is growing so much as it moves away that it never seems to completely end. This is a very powerful storm, perfectly formed and headed for warm water.

If you're in Katrina's path, get ready. This is one pissed off bitch.

Buster

Perhaps this will be the much-prophesied hurricane which will finally take out the Big Easy. The current storm track has it pegging New Orleans almost right on.

I remember reading some doomsday sceanrio for what would happen if they took a direct hit (with the eye moving just to the west of New Orleans) from a major hurricane. I think they said the city would be under something like 20 feet of water. Scary.

Uh-huh. Most of us thought, "Hey, it's just another tropical storm. This won't hurt a bit!"

Tell that to our new back yard.

We were due down here, but we by far did not get the worst of what this storm can/will be. Speaking as someone that weathered Andrew years and years ago, these things don't mess around. Prepare NOW, and if you can, get as far away out of its path as you can.

Here's to another "fun" year in Florida.

So I take it yer in Dade? Didja fill out yer FEMA form last year and get yer money for all yer "damage" from Francis? Francis dumped at least a half inch of rain, and had 20 or 30 mph wind in Dade. That's gotta be compensated!

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, we're having a year-long drought and a shitload of forest fires, begging to god for some rain and taking emergency measures to conserve water. Ironic, isn't it? Gotta love global warming - some say the south of our country may even turn to desert in the future.
I can't for the life of me imagine what living in a hurricane zone must be like but I wish you all the best. Keep us posted.

That FEMA thing did tick me off a bit. Didn't Jebbie give us kickbacks for no apparent reason on that one?

Meanwhile, it's not like it helps us much - it just raises homeowners insurance by that much this year.

I hope not My eldest brother and his wife live in New Orleans.

They're gearing up for it, and will be stocking up on unparishables and taking shelter in a hotel where they weathered the last couple hurricanes.

Ok, now the track is aimed square at new orleans, and there is possibility of category five, depending on eyewall formation cycle. When northbound, the vicious side of the storm is the east (counerclockwise), so even if it goes further west (i'll bet it does) I think new orleans is toast. (soggy toast that is.)

Here's hoping that the doomsday fetishists were making much ado about nothing. I'm sure New Orleans is one tenacious ol' city, and will ride out the storm with grace and aplomb. And if not, here's hoping that the surplus of beads keeps the wreckage afloat.

To all those in the path of this mammoth storm, please heed the authorities orders and get out of there.

It is cat 5 now and it's winds are at 175mph and could likely increase.

This is gonna be horrific if that thing doesn't weaken any. It's not looking like it will, and the city officials are saying the levees WILL fail.

My thoughts are with anyone in that area.

Stay safe.

DAMN HURRICANES! ROFL

Im getting pissed of "Moving" every damn year cuz of these suckers! LOL

Im in northern part of florida, but i might go to my mother's house in Alabama and help her out there!

I think im gonna ride this storm out!

if you guys dont hear about me in the next week.. i wuv you ROFL

Thinking and praying for all the people in the path of this storm.

GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE.

50 miles inland isn't far enough. 100 miles isn't far enough. Go 200 miles inland.

ITS HIT CATEGORY 5! One news said Category 5 and ahalf!

Let's hope Ardith.

If you are in N.O., Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and/or points south and east, you are in my thoughts. Don't let the Atchafalya or the Ponchatrain come a-knocking, ya hear?

You need a place to stay? I am in Texas, and I have Abita and boudin--we can pass us a good time!