Hurricane Rita 2005

*Hurricane Rita*
PRELIMINARY STORM REPORT...HURRICANE RITA NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAKE CHARLES LA 415 PM CST WED JAN 25 2006 A. HIGHEST WINDS... ACADIANA REGIONAL AIRPORT...ARA...ASOS PEAK GUST...080 DEGREES 51 KT AT 2314 UTC SEP 23 2005 2-MINUTE....070 DEGREES 34 KT AT 2311 UTC SEP 23 2005 ALEXANDRIA INTERNATIONAL...AEX...ASOS PEAK GUST...120 DEGREES 54 KT AT 1459 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....130 DEGREES 43 KT AT 1543 UTC SEP 24 2005 ALLEN PARISH AIRPORT...KL42...ASOS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240320Z) PEAK GUST...030 DEGREES 42 KT AT 2340 UTC SEP 23 2005 2-MINUTE....030 DEGREES 22 KT AT 0020 UTC SEP 24 2005 BEAUREGARD REGIONAL AIRPORT...DRI...ASOS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 241101Z) PEAK GUST...060 DEGREES 54 KT AT 0901 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....050 DEGREES 31 KT AT 0821 UTC SEP 24 2005 ............080 DEGREES 31 KT AT 1041 UTC SEP 24 2005 ESLER REGIONAL...ESF...ASOS PEAK GUST...120 DEGREES 40 KT AT 1413 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....120 DEGREES 31 KT AT 1410 UTC SEP 24 2005 FORT POLK AAF...POE...ASOS PEAK GUST...150 DEGREES 51 KT AT 1500 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....140 DEGREES 32 KT AT 1400 UTC SEP 24 2005 FORT POLK SELF LANDING STRIP...DNK...ASOS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240109Z) PEAK GUST...040 DEGREES 39 KT AT 0100 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....040 DEGREES 26 KT AT 0107 UTC SEP 24 2005 FULLERTON STRIP FORT POLK...BKB...ASOS PEAK GUST...070 DEGREES 40 KT AT 1819 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....070 DEGREES 26 KT AT 1819 UTC SEP 24 2005 JASPER COUNTY BELL FIELD AIRPORT...JAS...ASOS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240525Z) PEAK GUST...020 DEGREES 37 KT AT 0525 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....030 DEGREES 24 KT AT 0205 UTC SEP 24 2005 LAFAYETTE REGIONAL AIRPORT...LFT...ASOS PEAK GUST...160 DEGREES 51 KT AT 1321 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....160 DEGREES 44 KT AT 1321 UTC SEP 24 2005 LAKE CHARLES REGIONAL AIRPORT...LCH...ASOS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240333Z) PEAK GUST...040 DEGREES 64 KT AT 0207 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....040 DEGREES 50 KT AT 0208 UTC SEP 24 2005 LAKE CHARLES NWS RSOIS (DATA ACCURACY IN QUESTION - ESTIMATED TO BE 10-15 KT TOO LOW) PEAK GUST...140 DEGREES 83 KT AT 0820 UTC SEP 24 2005 ORANGE COUNTY AIRPORT...KORG...AWOS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240428Z) PEAK GUST...010 DEGREES 47 KT AT 0348 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....010 DEGREES 31 KT AT 0428 UTC SEP 24 2005 SALT POINT...P92...ASOS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 232153Z) PEAK GUST...100 DEGREES 38 KT AT 2153 UTC SEP 23 2005 2-MINUTE....100 DEGREES 19 KT AT 2153 UTC SEP 23 2005 SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL AIRPORT...BPT...ASOS PEAK GUST...330 DEGREES 91 KT AT 0847 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....340 DEGREES 70 KT AT 0833 UTC SEP 24 2005 BUOY 42035...NDBC WIND ANEMOMETER 5 METERS (16.4 FEET) ABOVE SEA LEVEL PEAK GUST...320 DEGREES 66 KT AT 0450 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....320 DEGREES 54 KT AT 0450 UTC SEP 24 2005 SABINE TX...SRST2...NDBC WIND ANEMOMETER 12.5 METERS (41.0 FEET) ABOVE SEA LEVEL PEAK GUST...350 DEGREES 86 KT AT 0700 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....350 DEGREES 71 KT AT 0700 UTC SEP 24 2005 MARSH ISLAND LA...MRSL1...LSU WIND ANEMOMETER 23.4 METERS (76.8 FEET) ABOVE SEA LEVEL (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240600Z) PEAK GUST...160 DEGREES 81 KT AT 0000 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....160 DEGREES 62 KT AT 0000 UTC SEP 24 2005 SALT POINT LA...SLPL1...LSU WIND ANEMOMETER 7.19 METERS (23.6 FEET) ABOVE SEA LEVEL (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240600Z) PEAK GUST...110 DEGREES 63 KT AT 0100 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....110 DEGREES 46 KT AT 0200 UTC SEP 24 2005 ............090 DEGREES 46 KT AT 2300 UTC SEP 23 2005 CALCASIEU PASS LA...CAPL1 (8768094)...NOS WIND ANEMOMETER 8.5 METERS (28 FEET) ABOVE SEA LEVEL (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240524Z) PEAK GUST...090 DEGREES 97 KT AT 0512 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....090 DEGREES 67 KT AT 0518 UTC SEP 24 2005 SABINE PASS NORTH TX...SBPT2 (8770570)...NOS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240542Z) PEAK GUST...040 DEGREES 70 KT AT 0500 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....040 DEGREES 55 KT AT 0500 UTC SEP 24 2005 PORT ARTHUR TX...8770475...TCOON PEAK GUST...320 DEGREES 82 KT AT 0800 UTC SEP 24 2005 2-MINUTE....320 DEGREES 61 KT AT 0800 UTC SEP 24 2005 LOUISIANA AGRICULTURE INFORMATION SYSTEM WIND REPORTS... ALEXANDRIA DEAN LEE RESEARCH STATION...ALDL1...LAIS PEAK GUST...163 DEGREES 54 KT AT 1605 UTC SEP 24 2005 1-MINUTE....163 DEGREES 40 KT AT 1605 UTC SEP 24 2005 CROWLEY RICE RESEARCH STATION...CRRL1...LAIS (WIND EQUIPMENT DAMAGED - DATA REPRESENTS BEST MEASURED VALUES) PEAK GUST...188 DEGREES 64 KT AT 1850 UTC SEP 24 2005 1-MINUTE....188 DEGREES 47 KT AT 1850 UTC SEP 24 2005 JEANERETTE IBERIA RESEARCH STATION...JNRL1...LAIS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 232200Z) PEAK GUST...088 DEGREES 37 KT AT 2143 UTC SEP 23 2005 1-MINUTE....085 DEGREES 24 KT AT 2153 UTC SEP 23 2005 LAKE CHARLES CALCASIEU PARISH AG CENTER...LCPL1...LAIS (WIND EQUIPMENT DAMAGED - DATA REPRESENTS BEST MEASURED VALUES) PEAK GUST...110 DEGREES 83 KT AT 0624 UTC SEP 24 2005 1-MINUTE....133 DEGREES 66 KT AT 0745 UTC SEP 24 2005 R&D RESEARCH FARM PORT BARRE...RDRL1...LAIS PEAK GUST...148 DEGREES 61 KT AT 1245 UTC SEP 24 2005 1-MINUTE....148 DEGREES 40 KT AT 1245 UTC SEP 24 2005 ROSEPINE RESEARCH STATION...RPRL1...LAIS PEAK GUST...075 DEGREES 59 KT AT 0819 UTC SEP 24 2005 1-MINUTE....075 DEGREES 41 KT AT 0819 UTC SEP 24 2005 REMOTE AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONS WIND REPORTS... KIRBYVILLE TX RAWS SITE...KRBT2...RAWS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240105Z) PEAK GUST........034 DEGREES 31 KT AT 0105 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK SUSTAINED...034 DEGREES 17 KT AT 0005 UTC SEP 24 2005 MCFADDEN TX RAWS SITE...FADT2...RAWS (LOCATED NEAR SEA RIM STATE PARK TX) (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240240Z) PEAK GUST........004 DEGREES 59 KT AT 0240 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK SUSTAINED...004 DEGREES 36 KT AT 0240 UTC SEP 24 2005 SOUTHERN ROUGH TX RAWS SITE...WRRT2...RAWS (LOCATED SE OF WARREN TX) (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 241040Z) PEAK GUST........006 DEGREES 45 KT AT 1040 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK SUSTAINED...006 DEGREES 21 KT AT 0940 UTC SEP 24 2005 WOODVILLE TX RAWS SITE...WVLT2...RAWS PEAK GUST........015 DEGREES 66 KT AT 1100 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK SUSTAINED...004 DEGREES 43 KT AT 1200 UTC SEP 24 2005 CAMERON LA RAWS SITE...CLCL1...RAWS (LOCATED 6 MI EAST OF NWS LAKE CHARLES OFFICE) (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240920Z) PEAK GUST........130 DEGREES 94 KT AT 0820 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK SUSTAINED...096 DEGREES 63 KT AT 0620 UTC SEP 24 2005 DOVE FIELD LA RAWS SITE...VRNL1...RAWS (LOCATED NEAR FULLERTON LA) PEAK GUST........060 DEGREES 46 KT AT 1005 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK SUSTAINED...048 DEGREES 23 KT AT 0900 UTC SEP 24 2005 EVANGELINE/GARDNER LA RAWS SITE...GARL1...RAWS (LOCATED NEAR GARDNER LA) PEAK GUST........136 DEGREES 42 KT AT 1500 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK SUSTAINED...179 DEGREES 23 KT AT 2100 UTC SEP 24 2005 LACASSINE LA RAWS SITE...LACL1...RAWS (WIND EQUIPMENT BECAME INOPERATIVE AFTER LAST OB OF 240345Z) PEAK GUST........048 DEGREES 62 KT AT 0145 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK SUSTAINED...049 DEGREES 38 KT AT 0245 UTC SEP 24 2005 VERNON LA RAWS SITE...LEVL1...RAWS (LOCATED NEAR FORT POLK LA) PEAK GUST........065 DEGREES 43 KT AT 1000 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK SUSTAINED...065 DEGREES 22 KT AT 1000 UTC SEP 24 2005 FLORIDA COASTAL MONITORING PROGRAM WIND REPORTS... PORT ARTHUR TX...TOWER 0...FCMP GILL WIND ANEMOMETER 10 METERS (32.8 FEET) ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (MOBILE TOWER LOCATED AT SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL AIRPORT) PEAK GUST.........344 DEGREES 112 KT AT 0823 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK 3-SEC GUST...338 DEGREES 101 KT AT 0823 UTC SEP 24 2005 1-MINUTE..........335 DEGREES 82 KT AT 0826 UTC SEP 24 2005 NEDERLAND TX...TOWER 3...FCMP GILL WIND ANEMOMETER 10 METERS (32.8 FEET) ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (MOBILE TOWER LOCATED IN NEDERLAND TX) PEAK GUST.........360 DEGREES 93 KT AT 0821 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK 3-SEC GUST...349 DEGREES 80 KT AT 0822 UTC SEP 24 2005 1-MINUTE..........347 DEGREES 57 KT AT 0809 UTC SEP 24 2005 ORANGE TX...TOWER 5...FCMP GILL WIND ANEMOMETER 10 METERS (32.8 FEET) ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (MOBILE TOWER LOCATED NEAR PINEHURST TX) PEAK GUST.........030 DEGREES 93 KT AT 0819 UTC SEP 24 2005 PEAK 3-SEC GUST...029 DEGREES 85 KT AT 0819 UTC SEP 24 2005 1-MINUTE..........050 DEGREES 65 KT AT 0819 UTC SEP 24 2005 TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY HURRICANE RESEARCH TEAM WIND REPORTS... PORT ARTHUR TX...TOWER WEMITE 2...TTU ANEMOMETER 10 METERS (32.8 FEET) ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (TOWER LOCATED AT SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL AIRPORT) PEAK GUST......... 105 KT PEAK 3-SEC GUST... 101 KT 1-MINUTE.......... 81 KT ORANGE TX...TOWER SBCCOM BLACK...TTU ANEMOMETER 10 METERS (32.8 FEET) ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (TOWER LOCATED AT ORANGE COUNTY AIRPORT) (TOWER DAMAGED AND CEASED REPORTING DATA AROUND 0815 UTC) PEAK GUST......... 82 KT PEAK 3-SEC GUST... 77 KT 1-MINUTE.......... 57 KT UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA AT MONROE HURRICANE EVALUATION AT LANDFALL PROJECT FOR SCIENCE (ULM HELPS) WIND REPORTS... JOHNSONS BAYOU LA...TOWER...ULM HELPS ANEMOMETER 2 METERS (6.6 FEET) ABOVE GROUND LEVEL (TOWER LOCATED 13 MILES WEST OF JOHNSONS BAYOU NEAR TX/LA BORDER) PEAK 3-SEC GUST... 79 KT AT 0655 UTC SEP 24 2005 1-MINUTE.......... 61 KT AT 0724 UTC SEP 24 2005 UNOFFICIAL WIND REPORTS... STORM CHASERS REPORTED THAT DAVIS WIND EQUIPMENT ON THE HWY 384 BRIDGE OVER THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY 5 MILES SOUTHWEST OF LAKE CHARLES REGIONAL AIRPORT RECORDED A PEAK WIND GUST OF 115 MPH... OR 100 KNOTS. A STORM CHASER IN EAST BEAUMONT RECORDED A PEAK WIND GUST OF 96 MPH...OR 83 KNOTS. HOMEOWNERS AT HEBERT`S MARINA SOUTHWEST OF GRAND LAKE LA WITH DAVIS WIND EQUIPMENT LOCATED 50 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL RECORDED A PEAK WIND GUST OF 133 MPH...OR 116 KNOTS. IBERIA PARISH OEP IN NEW IBERIA LA RECORDED A PEAK WIND GUST OF 60 MPH...OR 52 KNOTS. SEVERE WIND DAMAGE COVERED THE FOLLOWING PARISHES IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA...ALLEN...BEAUREGARD...CALCASIEU...CAMERON...JEFF DAVIS...AND VERMILION. SEVERE WIND DAMAGE OCCURRED IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS...HARDIN...JASPER... JEFFERSON...NEWTON...AND ORANGE. B. LOWEST PRESSURE... ACADIANA REGIONAL............ARA...992.9 MB AT 0801 UTC SEP 24 2005 ALEXANDRIA INTERNATIONAL.....AEX...991.5 MB AT 1404 UTC SEP 24 2005 ALLEN PARISH AIRPORT.........L42...998.3 MB AT 0320 UTC SEP 24 2005 BEAUREGARD REGIONAL..........DRI...980.4 MB AT 1101 UTC SEP 24 2005 ESLER REGIONAL...............ESF...994.6 MB AT 1425 UTC SEP 24 2005 FORT POLK....................BKB...992.2 MB AT 1219 UTC SEP 24 2005 FORT POLK....................POE...983.8 MB AT 1200 UTC SEP 24 2005 FORT POLK....................DNK..1003.1 MB AT 0109 UTC SEP 24 2005 JASPER COUNTY BELL FIELD.....JAS...996.3 MB AT 0525 UTC SEP 24 2005 LAFAYETTE REGIONAL...........LFT...992.2 MB AT 0817 UTC SEP 24 2005 LAKE CHARLES REGIONAL........LCH...968.2 MB AT 0806 UTC SEP 24 2005 ORANGE COUNTY AIRPORT........ORG...983.4 MB AT 0428 UTC SEP 24 2005 SALT POINT...................P92...993.0 MB AT 2153 UTC SEP 23 2005 SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL.....BPT...952.3 MB AT 0809 UTC SEP 24 2005 BUOY 42035 (NDBC)..................972.3 MB AT 0605 UTC SEP 24 2005 SABINE TX (NDBC)...........SRST2...951.3 MB AT 0800 UTC SEP 24 2005 MARSH ISLAND LA (LSU)......MRSL1...983.6 MB AT 0400 UTC SEP 24 2005 SALT POINT LA (LSU)........SLPL1...990.2 MB AT 2300 UTC SEP 24 2005 CALCASIEU PASS LA (NOS)....CAPL1...983.0 MB AT 0112 UTC SEP 24 2005 SABINE PASS NORTH TX (NOS).SBPT2...967.8 MB AT 0542 UTC SEP 24 2005 ALEXANDRIA DEAN LEE (LAIS).ALDL1...991.8 MB AT 1017 UTC SEP 24 2005 LAKE CHARLES AG CTR (LAIS).LCPL1...965.5 MB AT 0717 UTC SEP 24 2005 R&D RESEARCH FARM (LAIS)...RDRL1...992.5 MB AT 0918 UTC SEP 24 2005 ROSEPINE RESEARCH (LAIS)...RPRL1...978.9 MB AT 0942 UTC SEP 24 2005 NEDERLAND TX (FCMP)......TOWER 3...942.3 MB AT 0830 UTC SEP 24 2005 ORANGE TX (FCMP).........TOWER 5...941.0 MB AT 0845 UTC SEP 24 2005 SE TX REGIONAL (FCMP)....TOWER 0...949.7 MB AT 0824 UTC SEP 24 2005 13 MI W JOHNSONS BAYOU (ULMHELPS)..939.1 MB AT 0739 UTC SEP 24 2005 UNOFFICIALLY LOWEST PRESSURE EVER RECORDED AT STATION ** INDICATES LAST READING BEFORE SENSOR FAILURE UNOFFICIAL REPORTS... A BAROMETER RECOVERED FROM THE CAMERON LA COURTHOUSE FELL BELOW ITS LOWEST POSSIBLE READING OF 950 MB AT 0500 UTC ON SEP 24 2005. FREIGHT SHIP ATLANTIC FOREST DOCKED AT THE PORT OF LAKE CHARLES MEASURED A LOWEST PRESSURE OF 967.8 MB AT 0900 UTC ON SEP 24 2005. VESSEL CAPE VINCENT DOCKED AT THE PORT OF BEAUMONT MEASURED A LOWEST PRESSURE OF 948.9 MB AT 0930 UTC ON SEP 24 2005. C. RAINFALL... ASOS RAINFALL TOTALS (IN INCHES) FROM 0600 UTC SEP 23 2005 TO 0600 UTC SEP 25 2005... LOCATION RAINFALL ACADIANA REGIONAL MISSING DUE TO ASOS OUTAGE ALEXANDRIA INTERNATIONAL MISSING DUE TO ASOS OUTAGE ESLER REGIONAL 4.06 FORT POLK 6.14 LAFAYETTE REGIONAL 6.24 LAKE CHARLES REGIONAL 7.68 SALT POINT MISSING DUE TO ASOS OUTAGE SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL 8.89 NWS COOPERATIVE RAINFALL TOTALS (IN INCHES) FROM 1200 UTC SEP 23 2005 TO 1200 UTC SEP 25 2005... SOUTHWEST...SOUTH-CENTRAL...AND CENTRAL LOUISIANA LOCATION RAINFALL ABBEVILLE 7.39 ALEXANDRIA 5SSE 7.68 ALEXANDRIA POWER PLANT 7.60 LSU DEAN LEE ALEXANDRIA LA (LSUL1) 7.98 BEAVER FIRE TOWER 8.25 BOYCE 7SW 7.40 BOYCE 3WNW 5.30 BUNKIE 16.00 BUTTE LA ROSE 6.99 CARENCRO 7.05 CROWLEY 2NE 8.32 DERIDDER 14.00 ELMER 2SW 7.68 EUNICE 8.72 FRANKLIN 3.25 GRAND COTEAU (ST. CHARLES COLLEGE) 8.65 JEANERETTE 5NW 9.21 JENNINGS 9.75 SAM HOUSTON JONES S.P. 7.92 OLD TOWN BAY 8.40 LEESVILLE 4.90 LAFAYETTE 8.60 MARKSVILLE 8.37 MOSS BLUFF 8.64 OAKDALE 3.00 OPELOUSAS 9.85 RAGLEY 8.50 RED RIVER LOCK #2 8.10 ST MARTINVILLE 3SW 8.13 SULPHUR 9.49 SOUTHEAST TEXAS OFFICIAL COOPERATIVE RAINFALL REPORTS LOCATION RAINFALL BEAUMONT RESEARCH CENTER 6.58 JASPER 7.66 KOUNTZE 8.90 ORANGE 9N 9.00 SILSBEE 4N 12.50 WILDWOOD 4.67 WOODVILLE 9.50 LOUISIANA AGRICLIMATE INFORMATION SYSTEM (LAIS) RAINFALL REPORTS LOCATION RAINFALL ALEXANDRIA DEAN LEE RESEARCH STATION 6.79 CROWLEY RICE RESEARCH STATION 8.33 R&D RESEARCH FARM PORT BARRE 7.80 LAKE CHARLES CALCASIEU PARISH AG CENTER 8.77 REMOTE AUTOMATED WEATHER STATIONS (RAWS) RAINFALL REPORTS LOCATION RAINFALL KIRBYVILLE TX 8.13 SOUTHERN ROUGH TX (6 MI SE OF WARREN TX) 9.45 WOODVILLE TX 9.25 CAMERON LA (NEAR HOLMWOOD LA) 8.13 DOVE FIELD LA (NEAR FULLERTON LA) 7.51 EVANGELINE/GARDNER LA (NEAR GARDNER LA) 7.93 VERNON LA (NEAR FORT POLK LA) 7.96 D. STORM SURGE... CALCASIEU PASS LA (NOS)...... 5.50 FT MLLW AT 0200 UTC SEP 24 2005 (GAGE BECAME DISABLED AT THAT TIME) RAINBOW BRIDGE TX (NOS)...... 3.85 FT MLLW AT 1530 UTC SEP 24 2005 ............................. 3.88 FT MLLW AT 0948-1042 UTC SEP 25 2005 SABINE PASS NORTH TX (NOS)... 6.37 FT MLLW AT 0554 UTC SEP 24 2005 (GAGE BECAME DISABLED AT THAT TIME) PORT ARTHUR TX (TCOON)....... 4.59 FT MLLW AT 0800 UTC SEP 24 2005 ............................. 4.11 FT MLLW AT 0700 UTC SEP 25 2005 BASED ON NWS STORM SURVEY...ESTIMATED MAXIMUM STORM SURGES... CALCASIEU PARISH... STORM SURGE ESTIMATED UNDER THE I-10 BRIDGE IN LAKE CHARLES...6 FT MSL...WATER REACHED THE YACHT CLUB...AND PUSHED THE BOATS INTO THE RAILROAD BRIDGE JUST NORTH OF I-10. DOWNTOWN LAKE CHARLES FLOODED ON THE EXIT RAMP FOR RYAN STREET ON I-10...REACHING A DEPTH OVER 6 FEET. WATER CAME OVER AND AROUND THE PITHON PUMP STATION ON LAKESHORE DRIVE...AND FLOODED PORTIONS OF DOWNTOWN LAKE CHARLES WITH UP TO 3 TO 6 FEET OF WATER. STORM SURGE REACHED SOUTHWESTERN SIDES OF LAKE CHARLES...WHERE THE STORM SURGE BACKED UP THE SHIP CHANNEL. GAUTHIER ROAD WAS COVERED WITH WATER BETWEEN ELLIOTT ROAD AND THE SHIP CHANNEL. WATER ALSO REACHED NORTH OF TANK FARM ROAD BETWEEN ELLIOTT AND NELSON ROADS...FLOODING A MOBILE HOME PARK. BLACK BAYOU SOUTH OF LAKE CHARLES REGIONAL AIRPORT...10 TO 15 FT MSL...BASED ON DEBRIS LINE AT NWS EMPLOYEE HOME (2 TO 4 FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL). THE STORM SURGE ALSO REACHED PORTIONS OF LINCOLN ROAD ALONG SOUTH SIDE OF THE AIRPORT (ESTIMATED 1 TO 2 FEET ABOVE THE ROAD). CAMERON PARISH... CAMERON...15 TO 20 FEET MSL...BASED ON DEBRIS LINE REACHING SECOND FLOOR OF INSIDE STAIRWELL AT COURTHOUSE AND DEBRIS LINE AT AMBULANCE BARN AT THE HOSPITAL. NEARLY EVERY HOME AND BUSINESS BETWEEN CREOLE AND DOWNTOWN CAMERON WAS DESTROYED. MANY WERE COMPLETELY WASHED AWAY. HEBERT`S MARINA & GRAND LAKE...10 TO 15 FEET MSL...BASED ON DEBRIS LINE AT THE NWS GAUGE AT HEBERT`S MARINA AND AT THE HARBOR LIGHTS RESTAURANT. NUMEROUS HOMES WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED. IBERIA PARISH... STORM SURGE REACHED MOST LOCATIONS SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 14 AND US HIGHWAY 90...INCLUDING LYDIA AND WEEKS. BETWEEN DELCAMBRE AND NEW IBERIA ON HIGHWAY 14...WATER REACHED AS MUCH AS 3 TO 6 FEET DEEP IN PLACES...FLOODING MANY HOMES AND BUSINESSES. JEFF DAVIS PARISH... LAKE ARTHUR...STORM SURGE FLOODED LOW-LYING AREAS OF LAKE ARTHUR...INCLUDING NEAR THE POLICE STATION...LESS THAN 2 FEET. ST. MARY PARISH... STORM SURGE REACHED MANY LOCATIONS SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 90. SECTIONS OF HIGHWAY 90 BETWEEN BALDWIN AND GARDEN CITY WENT UNDER WATER. BURNS POINT...ESTIMATED 5 TO 10 FT STORM SURGE FLOODED HIGHWAY 317. DAMAGED HOMES IN THE MARSHES. SIMILAR EFFECTS TO HURRICANE LILI IN 2002. CYPREMORT POINT...ESTIMATED 8 TO 12 FT STORM SURGE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED MANY OF THE OLDER CAMPS...EVEN SOME OF THE NEWER ONES HAD OVER A FOOT OF WATER ENTER THEM. VERMILION PARISH... STORM SURGE REACHED THE 100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN LOCATIONS PARISH-WIDE ACCORDING TO VERMILION PARISH OEP. THIS WAS THE ENTIRE PARISH SOUTH OF HIGHWAY 14...AND SOME PLACES NORTH OF HIGHWAY 14...INCLUDING NEAR ERATH AND DELCAMBRE. DELCAMBRE...STORM SURGE ESTIMATES OF 8 TO 12 FEET. MOST HOMES WERE FLOODED...OVER 3 FEET OF WATER WAS REPORTED ACROSS HIGHWAY 14. ESTHER...WATER WAS 3 TO 6 FEET DEEP IN ALL HOMES NEAR HIGHWAYS 82 AND 333. FORKED ISLAND....WATER REACHED 6 TO 9 FEET DEEP ALONG THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY...FLOODING MANY HOMES AND BUSINESSES. INTRACOASTAL CITY...LELAND BOWMAN LOCK AND DAM HAD PORTIONS OF THEIR DRIVEWAY WASHED AWAY BY AN ESTIMATED 10 FT STORM SURGE. MANY SHRIMP BOATS AND VARIOUS MARINE-RELATED BUSINESSES WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. PECAN ISLAND...ESTIMATED 10 TO 15 FT STORM SURGE...WATER REACHED THE FLOOR OF THE SCHOOL...AND 3 TO 6 FEET DEEP INTO EVERY HOME AND BUSINESS. MOST HOMES AND BUSINESSES WERE DESTROYED. JEFFERSON COUNTY... SABINE PASS RECORDED A 5 TO 10 FT STORM SURGE...BASED ON NWS STORM SURVEY. HOMES THAT WERE MINIMALLY ELEVATED HAD BETWEEN 2 TO 3 FEET OF WATER IN THEM. SEVERAL UNSECURED MOBILE HOMES FLOATED AWAY FROM THEIR ORIGINAL LOCATION. ORANGE COUNTY... CITY OF ORANGE RECORDED A MINIMAL STORM SURGE. LOW-LYING AREAS NEAR THE RIVER HAD 1 TO 2 FEET OF WATER BACK UP ON THEIR PROPERTY. E. BEACH EROSION.... REPORTS OF HOLLY BEACH IN CAMERON PARISH LA LOST OVER 100 YARDS OF BEACH. F. FLOODING... RIVER CRESTS... BAYOU LACASSINE NEAR LAKE ARTHUR LA...................13.53 FT BAYOU NEZPIQUE NEAR BASILE LA.........................20.39 FT BAYOU TECHE AT ADELINE BRIDGE NEAR JEANERETTE LA...... 5.68 FT CALCASIEU RIVER AT SALT WATER BARRIER IN LAKE CHARLES. 9.43 FT CALCASIEU RIVER AT I-10 IN LAKE CHARLES LA............ 8.61 FT NORTH CALCASIEU LAKE NEAR HACKBERRY LA................ 3.14 FT CALCASIEU RIVER AT CAMERON LA......................... 6.86 FT (LAST READING BEFORE SENSOR FAILURE) LOWER ATCHAFALAYA RIVER AT MORGAN CITY LA............. 7.24 FT MERMENTAU RIVER AT MERMENTAU LA....................... 6.46 FT SCHOONER B AT CTRL ST NEAR FORKED ISLAND LA........... 8.28 FT VERMILION BAY NEAR INTRACOASTAL CITY LA............... 9.77 FT (LAST READING BEFORE SENSOR FAILURE) VERMILION RIVER AT HWY 733............................12.89 FT VERMILION RIVER AT SURREY ST AT LAFAYETTE LA..........13.25 FT VERMILION RIVER NEAR CARENCRO LA......................16.66 FT VERMILION RIVER AT PERRY LA...........................13.22 FT COW BAYOU AT MAURICEVILLE TX..........................17.84 FT NECHES RIVER NEAR EVADALE TX..........................16.72 FT NECHES RIVER SALTWATER BARRIER AT BEAUMONT TX......... 4.80 FT NECHES RIVER NEAR TOWN BLUFF TX.......................68.96 FT PINE ISLAND BAYOU NEAR SOUR LAKE TX...................21.99 FT SABINE RIVER NEAR BON WIER TX.........................20.14 FT SABINE RIVER NEAR DEWEYVILLE TX.......................23.25 FT VILLAGE CREEK NEAR KOUNTZE TX.........................16.99 FT ESTIMATED RIVER CRESTS... PORT OF LAKE CHARLES LA...............................11.50 FT OLD TOWN BAY AT LAKE CHARLES LA.......................10.00 FT SAM HOUSTON JONES STATE PARK.......................... 8.50 FT SECOND HIGHEST CREST ON RECORD G. TORNADOES... STORM CHASERS IN BEAUMONT REPORTED GUSTNADOES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EYEWALL OF HURRICANE RITA. NO OTHER TORNADOES HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED SO FAR. H. STORM EFFECTS... ONE DIRECT FATALITY. AN UNIDENTIFIED MALE DROWNED NEAR THE LNG PLANT SOUTH OF LAKE CHARLES. SIX INDIRECT FATALITIES IN BEAUMONT TEXAS DUE TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX AFTER RITAS LANDFALL. AN ESTIMATE OF OVER TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PEOPLE EVACUATED SOUTHEAST TEXAS AND SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. MANDATORY EVACUATIONS WERE IN PLACE FOR MUCH OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS AND PARTS OF SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA. $$ LANDRENEAU/SHAMBURGER/ERICKSON