Hurricane Rita

[Shude]

So why dont we get our power from it?

Dr Frankenstein is a fictional character I'm afraid.

 

[Will]

Wind farms and solar are almost useless in comparison and certainly not viable for every household or community. This leads to either fossil fuels providing power or more nuclear power which you're either in favour or not. Personally I like the idea we buy electricity from France and let them produce it from fission

lol

 

[glojo]

Just heard about the awful fire on the bus. It looks like there are a number of fatalities.

It certainly puts life in perspective.

John

 

[glojo]

I shouldn't make light of this terrible incident, but I am watching a Fox News reporter who is 'heroically' reporting from the hurricane epicentre. He is supposedly being rocked and pushed by 'unbelieveable' hurricane winds....... But just like the old cowboy films his hat hasn't even blown off!!!! Unbelieveable. He is wearing an ordinary baseball cap yet this alleged 100mph wind which he is allegedly standing in has not removed his hat.

This is a terrible act of nature, I certainly would not want to be there, but either that hat is stapled, or super glued to his scalp. Or he is not standing in 100mph winds!!!

For those of us that have ridden motor bikes without fairings, 80mph is not pleasant. Sticking your head out of a car window whilst travelling at 30mph would see your baseball cap depart from your cranium but not our heroic Fox News reporter.

No doubt I am out of tune here and perhaps he is really standing upright in 100mph winds, but I hate blatant exaggarated journalism.

Why hasn't any government official queried the building of frail structures that cannot withstand seasonal problems? Obviously freak hurricanes will do terrible damage, but Rita is now downgraded to a Force 2 hurricane, and official government reports are quoting wind strengths of 60 - 70mph, which should not flatten cities, or indeed rip apart houses?? Why have they allowed mobile homes in areas that are known hurricane areas?

It is horrible being wise after a disaster, but the defence walls protecting New Orleans were only designed to withstand Force 3 hurricanes, yet force 5 hurricanes do occasionally occur!

Sorry for being less than tactful, but this reporter has made me laugh, and also made me think.

Regards,
John

 

[imadoofus]

I agree with many of your sentiments, John.

As I understand it, the reason for the levees being built to withstand only cat3 is one of economics. The theory goes that a cat5 will flatten everything in the city anyway, so why spend extra on a retaining wall to protect a city from flooding, if it's going to get blown away anyway?

Call me cynical, but I suspect that Rita was never a cat5. I wonder if the authorities said it was, to encourage people to evacuate, having seen what Katrina (a cat4) did.

I also think that the allowing of trailer parks and the like is a also one of economics (we've heard much recently about the rich/poor divide in the Southern states), and also one of complacency - something of which we're all guilty from time to time.

PJ

 

[glojo]

I also think that the allowing of trailer parks and the like is a also one of economics (we've heard much recently about the rich/poor divide in the Southern states), and also one of complacency - something of which we're all guilty from time to time.

Totally agree. :bannana:

John

 

[pineer35]

I know what you're saying John - but I don't think even GWB could ignore it again so close to the last one! But with the way they've happened, ie New Orleans hit first, who knows if the actions wo
ave been any different had Katrina had taken Rita's path .

Man with hole in pocket,uses Mercedes Dealership for his servicing.

 

[Howard]

Huh ?

 

[blassberg]

January update
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4628000.stm
Outlaws already had a holiday booked there for later this year...

 

[glojo]

Man with hole in pocket,uses Mercedes Dealership for his servicing.

I have no idea of what you are trying to say,perhaps you prefer to save money

John