To MonaP and all our BB members in the area. I hope and pray this storm passes quickly without loss of life or to much material damage.

Thinking of you all.

I am keeping a good thought for you all.

My thoughts are with you all as well...stay safe and chin up.

We hope and pray our BB friends in the vicinity of the path of Hurrican Rita all come through safe and well. We in Oz are thinking of you. Take care.

I couldn't believe it when I watched the news and saw yet another storm heading into the States. I too send my best wishes to anybody affected, and hope you will all be safe and well. Batten down the hatches, and get the heck out of there!

The storm, a category 4 as I type this, is scheduled to arrive tonight east of Houston and west of the Texas-Louisiana border. The whole area is low lying but high enough that it will drain, not flood like New Orleans.

Right now, 4 million people are trying to get north from Houston. The roads are so crowded that folks are running out of petrol while waiting in line.

This storm is so large that tropical storm winds and rain are already hitting New Orleans, 300 miles from Houston. The army Corps of Engineers estimates that more that 3 inches of rain in 6 hours will break weak repair job of the levees. Luckily, New Orleans is just about empty of people this time.

There is a huge economic risk: 25% of the gasoline refining capacity of the United States lies along the Houston ship channel. Rita is messing up the platforms and underwater piping in the Gulf of Mexico that Katrina didn't hit.

If people in Texas can get off the roads, loss of life can be minimized. If not, many will die in their oversized vehicles.

Glenn

Glenn-
How much will the storm affect you in Baton Rouge, or is it too soon to know? We're thinking of all of you and pray for your safety.

The current forecast for Baton Rouge is 12 hours of 50 mph winds, 30 hours of 30 mph winds and 12 inches of rain.

We are on the "wrong" side of the storm this time. While you might think that all the trees that are going to come down, came down with the last storm, the winds will be from a different direction this time.

We still have 200,000 "visitors" in town. This has resulted in low stocks at the groceries and widespread shortages of petrol.

Folks who evacuated New Orleans for Houston are on the move again. I don't know where they are going this time. The stress on these folks, most of whom lost everything, has to be incredible.

Thanks for your concern.

Glenn

Jo-
I have heard so many experts holding forth on that over the last few days, and they don't agree! Confusing and confounding, to say the least, when the scientific minds can't find the answer. I'm sure they will eventually.

There have certainly been years when hurricanes have been numerous, but I don't remember them being so big in size and strength, other than Andrew. Do you?

I suspect that it's some of both-we Librans tend to think that way sometimes, right?

LOL!

I too, hope that Rita winds down befor hitting. I feel sorry for the people who can't take their dogs or cats, etc, with them to shelters. I can't believe the traffic jam on the expressway out of Houston. It seems that needs a bit of fine-tuning. Do you feel somewhat burned-out by watching all the Hurricane Coverage? It appears that it would be to the reporter's advantage for the hurricane to be disastrous. It gets their ratings up. That is an odd perception, I know, but perhaps if the truth. Especially for Fox news, for some reason. I feel guilt for going on a trip when these people are suffering.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of Rita. I pray that this hurricane season will end early.

I've been following it on CNN and it's now a Category 3. That, of course, is still a very strong hurricane. I hope our BB friends in Texas are safe.

When does hurricane season officially end? I've heard some say end of October while others say end of November. I've got a trip booked to Florida the first week of November (Clearwater area).

Jeannie-
The season officially ends on November 30th. Things are usually calmer by November as the waters are not as warm. Here's hoping!

Come on down and join us!