Wednesday Night Update

Currently there is an evacuation under way of 1.5 million people off the Texas bay coast area.

• DPS Troopers will be going to every identified special needs facility in the impact zone to make sure they have been evacuated.


• The State will move every available State vehicle to the Houston area tomorrow.


• The Impact zone has shifted East to the Freeport area. This will put much of the damaging winds and flooding into the Houston/Galveston area and there is a lot of devastation to these areas predicted if land fall is in this zone.


• Even though there have been contrary reports by the National Media, the National Weather service report at this time is that Rita will make landfall as a category five hurricane. The State is calling it a “Strong Category Five” now with sustained winds at 175 mph. The eye wall diameter has been modeled to be 130 miles in diameter. There are hurricane force winds predicted for areas as far inland as Brian/College Station. Tropical storm winds will affect an area up to 370 miles wide.


• Storm surge possibilities in the impact area are projected to be 20 -25 feet.


• 8-12” rain predicted for the Upper Texas coast.


• 5-10” rain for East Texas


• Category F4 and F5 Tornados can spin off the Hurricane


• The hub shelter areas are filling and there are still people trying to get out. Evacuation will take place up and until impact.We need to individually be prepared for severe weather. Check your emergency preparedness kit, food, water, medicines, radio batteries etc.

 
Martin A. Pessink
Chief of Police
Pittsburg Police Department