Mid-Friday Update

• Rita is still on track for landfall at the upper Texas Coast, Jefferson County/Beaumont area. The storm will track northward up Hwy 69 corridor and begin slowing on this inland path. It will track towards Lufkin and the slightly east and stalling short of the Tyler/Longview area. Areas west of Interstate 45 have been taken out of the severe weather area.
• I called national Weather in Shreveport for our forecast. Tropical wind watches for south of the Interstate 20 area, not Tyler/Longview but more towards Lufkin. Here if the storm stalls ESE of us as predicted, rainfall will begin tomorrow mid afternoon with occasional showers before then. Expect 2-4” of rain for Saturday. Another 2-4” of rain Saturday night through Sunday. This is a good sign and the rain that we need. There is still a flash flood possibility. If the storm stalls then we can expect more rain and heavier accumulations for Monday and Tuesday. SUSTAINED WINDS- sat. morning 15-20 mph with gusts 35-40, Late afternoon and evening 20-30mph and dropping off during the night. Tornados are only expected on the far eastern areas of the State and not here if we remain on the left side of the storm.
• I will be on another conference with weather service this afternoon as well as State EOC updates.
• City, County, Fire, EMS, and School Officials met this morning to go over final preparations.
• Emmanuel is full with 58 people, city staff will be serving supper tonight.
• First Baptist is set up and may be receiving overflow from Lufkin today as well as any self evacuees coming in.
• FUMC is still ready to set up if needed, I have asked the state to let us know if that is need before we do so.

Again, thanks to everyone for your efforts in all of this. More later


Martin A. Pessink
Chief of Police
Pittsburg Police Department