What are facts about Hurricane Rita?
Hurricane Rita was a powerful hurricane in the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. It hit the United States' Gulf Coast. At its peak intensity, it was a strong Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175 miles per hour. It made landfall as a Category 3 storm, and caused more flooding in New Orleans, which already had weakened levees due to ...
What damage did Hurricane Rita cause?
More Information About Hurricane Rita
- Hurricane Rita was formed on 17 th September, 2005, and dissipated on 24 th September, 2005.
- It was not only the strongest hurricane of 2005, but also the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Gulf of Mexico.
- It began as a mere tropical depression on the Turks and Caicos Islands. ...
Where did Hurricane Rita hit Texas?
Where did Hurricane Rita make landfall in Texas? western Cameron Parish Rita made landfall across western Cameron Parish just east of the Texas and Louisiana border around 2:40 AM CDT Saturday September 24, 2005 as a category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 100 knots (115 mph) and a minimum pressure of 937 mb (27.67 inches of mercury).
Where did Hurricane Rita make landfall?
- " Hurricane Rita turns toward Texas-Louisiana border " — Wikinews, September 23, 2005
- " Houston mayor urges evacuations as Hurricane Rita moves closer to shore " — Wikinews, September 22, 2005
- " Florida Keys evacuated in preparation for Rita " — Wikinews, September 21, 2005
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When did Hurricane Rita hit Houston?
Thousands of cars try to evacuate in advance of Hurricane Rita in north Houston on Sept. 22, 2005. Bumper-to-bumper traffic heads out of Galveston, Texas toward Houston, Sept. 21, 2005.
Has a hurricane ever hit Houston?
Harvey goes down in the record books as the largest rain event in U.S. history, with the heaviest amounts reported in Houston and Galveston. It is also the costliest hurricanes (tying with Hurricane Katrina) at $125 billion. Unfortunately, 103 people died and tens of thousands were rescued from floodwaters.
Which hurricane did Houston evacuate?
Hurricane RitaTexas reported the most deaths from the hurricane, where 113 deaths were reported, 107 of which were associated with the evacuation of the Houston metropolitan area....Hurricane Rita.Category 5 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)Hurricane Rita near peak intensity on September 21Highest winds1-minute sustained: 180 mph (285 km/h)15 more rows
Where did Hurricane Rita hit Texas?
Rita made landfall across western Cameron Parish just east of the Texas and Louisiana border around 2:40 AM CDT Saturday September 24, 2005 as a category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 115 mph (100 knots) and a minimum pressure of 937 millibars (27.67 inches).
What was the last hurricane to hit Houston Texas?
Hurricane HarveyCategory 4 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS)Hurricane Harvey near peak intensity prior to landfall in southern Texas on August 25DissipatedSeptember 2, 2017(Extratropical after September 1)Highest winds1-minute sustained: 130 mph (215 km/h)15 more rows
What was the worst hurricane to hit Texas?
Major Texas Hurricanes The Galveston hurricane of 1900, a Category 4 storm, was the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, bringing a 15-foot storm surge and winds of more than 135 mph. The hurricane killed between 6,000 and 12,000 and brought damages totaling about $881 million in 2017 dollars.
Was Hurricane Rita worse than Katrina?
2005: Hurricane Rita Less than a month after Katrina, another powerful storm formed in the Gulf of Mexico. Making landfall at Johnson's Bayou as a Category 3 storm, Rita led to more damage and flooding into a region that had been devastated by Katrina.
Why was Rita considered a forgotten storm?
Cattle were stranded, trapped by the floodwaters. When the water receded, salt from Gulf waters coated fields, damaging crops and hay used for livestock feed. Back then, Congressman Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, referred to Rita as "the forgotten storm." Ten years later, he still does.
Where did Hurricane Rita hit first?
Cameron ParishRita made landfall on September 24 at the western edge of Cameron Parish, near the Texas border, as a large Category 3 hurricane.
How far inland did Hurricane Rita go?
Hurricane Rita produced a significant storm surge that pushed flood waters inland as far as 25 mi (40 km). This aerial view taken 2 days after the storm shows the extensive flooding of Grand Chenier, La., a site located 4.6 mi (7.4 km) from the coast.
What states did Hurricane Rita hit?
Rita produced a significant storm surge that devastated coastal communities in southwestern Louisiana, and its wind, rain, and tornadoes caused fatalities and a wide swath of damage from eastern Texas to Alabama.
Did Katrina hit Houston?
From the preparations and the big hit and chaos and devastation that followed, revisit the storm's path in photos, as it led many all the way to Houston. Scroll through the slideshow above to see scenes from the storm's devastation, and click a picture for the caption.
Who was the president of Texas during Hurricane Rita?
President George W. Bush had urged people in the path of powerful Hurricane Rita to heed local authorities' evacuation orders. See more photos of the mental havoc that Hurricane Rita brought to Texas... JAMES NIELSEN/. Show More Show Less.
What happened in 2005 Houston?
93 of 93. This week in 2005 many of us in the Houston area were buckling down to bear the brunt of Hurricane Rita. The aftermath and horror of Hurricane Katrina just weeks before had scared many people in the area into action, with long lines at grocery stores, hardware stores and voluntary evacuations.
How long was Hurricane Rita in gridlock?
Hurricane Rita evacuees were trapped in gridlock for nearly 24 hours, September 2005. "Houston and Galveston dodged the worst of the devastating hurricane, but it was category 5 chaos on the roadways two days before expected landfall. That's when millions of people, most living outside of evacuation zones, decided to hit the streets and flee ...
How many people were evacuated from Hurricane Rita?
Hurricane Rita swirled toward the Gulf Coast as a 165-mph, category 5 storm 15 years ago. More than 1.3 million people in Texas and Louisiana were evacuated, with many stuck on the roads for hours and hours in gridlocked traffic. Hurricane Rita evacuees were trapped in gridlock for nearly 24 hours, September 2005.
How fast was Rita's winds?
The morning of the spontaneous evacuation, Rita was packing winds of 175 mph and the center of the forecast cone was aimed just east of Houston. It was a terrifying time.
Where did Hurricane Rita hit?
Hurricane Rita made landfall in southwestern Louisiana between Sabine Pass, Texas and Johnson's Bayou, Louisiana early Saturday morning, September 24, 2005. " Rita " was the second major hurricane to strike the Louisiana coast this season ( " Katrina " was the first) and the third most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin.
How many people were evacuated from Hurricane Rita?
It is estimated that up to 2 million residents (most from the Houston/Galveston metro area) evacuated to avoid the effects of the storm. While Rita peaked as a Category 5 hurricane out in the Gulf...she made landfall over Cameron Parrish as a Category 3 hurricane. Products and Related Links. Post Storm Reports.
Michael Hagerty
Michael Hagerty is the senior producer for Houston Matters. He's spent more than 20 years in public radio and television and dabbled in minor league baseball, spending four seasons as the public address announcer for the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Senior Producer, Houston Matters
Michael Hagerty is the senior producer for Houston Matters. He's spent more than 20 years in public radio and television and dabbled in minor league baseball, spending four seasons as the public address announcer for the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Great Galveston Storm (1900)
At the turn of the century, the Galveston area—not too far from Houston—received an estimated $30 million in property damage. In total, 6,000 people were killed by the category 4 hurricane. If that all sounds historically awful, it’s because it was. It is known as the deadliest weather disaster in United States history.
Tropical Storm Allison (2001)
Technically, Allison is labeled as a tropical storm and not a hurricane. Nevertheless, the storm caused $5 billion in property damage and killed 41 people. Over 70,000 homes sustained damage, 95,000 cars were totaled, and 30,000 people were left stranded in shelters.
Hurricane Harvey (2017)
One of the costliest tropical cyclones in United States History, let alone the Houston area, Hurricane Harvey caused more than $120 billion in damage and killed 68 people. 300,000 structures were flooded, and structures around the city were destroyed due to 130 mph winds.
Hurricane Ike (2008)
About a decade before Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Ike and its 110 miles per hour winds caused over $38 billion in damage. Starting in the Bahamas and eventually making its way to the U.S., Hurricane Ike killed 214 people and it became the 6th costliest hurricane in U.S. history.
Hurricane Rita (2005)
Not long before Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Rita—known by some as the “Forgotten Storm”—caused nearly $10 billion in damage. With winds that reached upwards of 115 miles per hour, it was the strongest storm to hit Texas since Hurricane Audrey way back in 1957. Seven people died from Hurricane Rita, which also devastated parts of Louisiana.
Hurricane Carla (1961)
In 1961, Hurricane Carla and its 125 miles per hour winds and 175 miles per hour gusts reached category 4 designation. The storm was so bad, it caused an f3 tornado that ravaged downtown Galveston. Forty people died as a result of Hurricane Carla.
Hurricane Safety Resources
If you live in the Houston area—or any part of the world that sees hurricanes or tropical storms—you should occasionally brush up on your hurricane safety. Here are some great resources to take a look at:
What category was Hurricane Rita?
2005: Hurricane Rita makes landfall in the United States as a Category 3 hurricane, devastating Beaumont, Texas, and portions of southwestern Louisiana, and causing $12 billion in damages to the U.S. Gulf Coast in total.
When was Hurricane Harvey in Houston?
8 of the most destructive storms in Houston’s history. Flooded homes near Lake Houston after Hurricane Harvey on Aug. 30, 2017. HOUSTON – The Houston area has been hit by countless storms during the annual five-month period, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. Here’s a look back at some of the worst storms to sweep through ...
How many people died in Hurricane Alicia?
Hurricane Alicia blasted onto Galveston Beach with 115 mph winds and a 10-foot storm surge, leaving 21 people dead and causing nearly $6 billion in damage. In just 30 hours, Alicia formed from nothing into a Category 3 hurricane and slammed into the southeast Texas coast.
What year was Hurricane Carla?
Hurricane Carla, 1961. Hurricane Carla made landfall near Port O’Connor as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds near 125 mph and gusts estimated near 175 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Carla produced a 22-foot storm surge in Matagorda Bay and spawned an F3 tornado which destroyed parts of downtown Galveston.
How many people died in the Galveston Hurricane?
The hurricane produced 120 mph winds and a 16 foot storm surge. The storm killed 275 people and caused an estimated $50 million in property damage, according to the National Weather Service.
How much damage did Hurricane Harvey cause?
In a five-day period, the storm produced more than 50 inches of rain in the Houston area, flooding more than 300,000 structures and causing more than $120 billion in damage.
What was the strongest hurricane in Texas?
Dubbed “The Forgotten Storm” by some, Hurricane Rita slammed into South Texas/Louisiana less than 30 days after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. With winds of 115 mph, Rita was the strongest hurricane to hit Southeast Texas since Hurricane Audrey in 1957.
