Rita is turning more to the north, and the models are now sticking landfall just this side of Matagorda Bay.
I am still going to be here, because I’ve registered to be a volunteer with the Red Cross. Several folks are coming over Friday from lower lying areas. If you need to, give me a shout or drop an email, and will see if I still have room.
I agree with you that panicking won’t help, but the most recently updated NOAA strike probabilities put Galveston almost in the middle (a bit off to the western side) of the most likely strike zone. If you’re lucky, you may get the weak side of the hurricane, but it’s going to be nasty. Please stay safe and keep an ear out for tornados. I’ll be thinking about you and your family in Beaumont.
BTW, my sister got to Austin at 2:15 am today after a 7-hour drive from her apartment in Montrose. John’s mom is also leaving from Pearland, but I’m not clear on whether she was driving to Austin or to stay with her dad. Either way, I’m sure it will take a long time.