1 P.M. CDT 8/28/2005 HURRICANE KATRINA UPDATE #39
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Katrina has winds to 175 m.p.h. This is the most dangerous situation ever facing the United States of America, the total destruction of a major meteopolitan area, along with the destruction of our busiest port.
If you are in New Orleans, SE Louisiana, or coastal Mississippi, DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER AND EVACUATE AS ORDERED. YOU WILL NOT SURVIVE IF YOU REMAIN ON THE COAST . New Orleans is now under a mandatory evacuation order for the first time ever. It is up to you to help avert a catstrophic disaster in terms of loss of life. Evacuations cannot wait as torpical storm force winds and torrential rain may arrive this evening. Evecuation time is quickly coming to a close the the outer bands, with tropical storm force winds are now at the coast.
The hurricane is accelerating. Landfall may now occur in the wee hours of the morning.
Hurricane Katrina covers much of the Gulf of Mexico. This is a very large hurricane.
Effects on land:
New Orleans: If the forecast track verifies, the eye will pass just east of the city, emptying Lake Ponchartrain into the city. Category 3 or 4 winds would be likely. Any deviation to the west would bring the strongest winds into the center of the city. A direct hit from a category 5 may level the city. In any event, New Orleans is expected to be uninhabitable indefinately
SE Louisiana: Leveled by category 4 or 5 winds and tidal surges over 25 feet.
Mississippi Coastline: Tidal surges very similar to those experienced in Hurricane Camielle. Hurricane force winds likely for the entire coast. Anything within 2 miles of the coats likely will be leveled.
Alabama: Tidal surges rivaling or exceeding those from Frederic. Up to 20 feet possible in the Mobile Bay. Gulf Coast and Mobile likely leveled by tidal surge. Winds to hurricane force possible.
Western Florida Panhandle: Tidal surges near 8-10 feet, higher than those in Georges.
Comply with all orders and advice given by local emergency management officials. Failure to do so, especially in the New Orleans area, likely will result in the loss of your life. Those under evacuation orders must leave. Vertical evacuation is not a viable option in a major hurricane as the winds are up to 25 percent higher in the New Orleans high rises.
NWHHC continues to recommend a Hurricane WARNING from Destin, Florida to Intracoastal City, Louisiana. NWHHC now recommends a Hurricane Watch from Destin to Panama City and continues to recommend a Hurricane Watch from Intracoastal City to Cameron. As always, these are only recommendations. The official watches and warnings can be found on the Official Alerts Page or from local emergency management officials.
Currently, the eye of Hurricane Katrina is located near 26.5N and 88.6W. This places the eye about 180 miles SE of the mouth of the Mississippi River. The motion is to the NW near 13 m.p.h. A gradual turn to the north is expected, bringing the system inland near the mouth of the Mississippi River in about 12-15 hours.
Maximum winds remain at least at 175 m.p.h. The pressure is 907mb. NOAA and Navy aircraft are in the system currently. Some further increase is likely this afternoon. Katrina is expected to make landfall as a category 5 hurricane and level everything from SE Louisiana to Alabama.
Next Update: 4 P.M.
Forecaster: Ortt |
