If anything positive came out of Katrina, it was Education. We learned that a storm surge can and will travel up to 5 miles inland. If you are within this area, you can expect severe flooding and mass devastation. I will never underestimate the power of water again. If water is not an issue for you, anywhere within 50 miles of the eye of Rita will also be catastrophic damage. Block buildings dont mean a thing when cars are flying thru the air toward your walls. For others in Rita's path here is what you can expect: Trees down across all roadways making travel impassible. After the winds reach 45 miles an hour, you can call 911 all you want, they wont be coming. They will not put themselves or there equipment at risk. Power will be out for at LEAST a week. Water will be contaminated and undrinkable. You can expect lots of debris, broken sewer mains, and lots of sharp items laying around.

If you have been ordered to evacuate, you are in one of these areas. Do not be a fool. It is just stuff. If you decide to stay, do us rescuers a favor. Call your local law enforecemtn agency now and tell them you are staying. They will need your next of kin information.

I am not posting this to scare you, these are all facts. Here are some pictures which DO NOT do justice to what I have witnessed.