Local TV mets here are starting to compare Rita to Carla 1961 ... the Cat 4 storm that covered the *entire* Texas coast in hurricane force winds and remained a hurricane until it was up here near Austin. And they're pointing out that the GFDL takes it right over Austin :rolling eyes: I think they're getting a little hyped... but just looking at the size of Rita ... I guess it is possible ...

They're talking about hurricane kits and loss of electricity.

Considering that Austin is where thousands of evacuees are heading to (ALL the hotels in Austin and Round Rock are booked, and the Red Cross says there is room for 45000 evacuees in local schools....) I'm hoping it's not going to be more than TS strength here.

Question ... Has anyone seen a projected size estimate (not strength) for Rita? Is she supposed to be a very large storm sizewise?