Will Rita have an effect on National Meet?

[Josh Langel]

If Rita continues as a cat 5 and slams Texas, will the National Meet still be a go?



I know we'll only know afterwards, but we all must look ahead and realize that it may be hard to do with this new catastrophe on the horizon.

 

[TomT]

Will cost you more gas to get there but other than that Fort Worth/Dallas should just get some much needed rain.

 

[Mark B]

Look at how the population of Baton Rouge swelled. Dallas could get pretty crowded for a little while. If I can get away Friday, I WAS going to wing it for a hotel room.



Former resident of Seabrook, TX...Hoping the best for the Texas gulf coast. Stay safe.

 

[gary s]

instead, come to the first annual long island meet on oct 1st !!!

 

[Nelson Atwell]

You could drive three hours north on I-35 and have it in OKC.



I plan to drive down next Saturday. The biggest concern is if folks are bedded down in Dallas waiting to be allowed back into a disaster area (Houston). All of the hotels could easily be booked. I'm already told that there are few rooms available this weekend in Dallas. Next weekend could be worse.

 

[Fudged Undies]

chances are Rita won't remain a Cat 5, doubtful the atmospheric conditions will hold up for this kind of force. Doesn't mean it won't be bad, probably just not as bad.

 

[Eric Pennal]

Rich worked very hard to negotiate a group rate for fellow ST'ers at the Howard Johnson in Arlington. Today is the last day the discounted rate will be available to us.



Anyone who books now won't have to worry about not finding a room next week.

 

[Mark B]

Just called HoJo. No rooms left for Friday night.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

I'm not surprised. 1.3 million people evacuating will fill a lot of rooms. You might want to check about this time next week, in case everyone is able to go back home to Houston. I am sure many just booked a whole week or two to lock in rooms, and then will cancel after the threat passes.

 

[Eric Pennal]

Good point, Nelson.



Hope to see you at the Meet.

 

[Richard L]

I doubt that Rita will reach DFW area with enough strength left to do much damage.



The are expecting the dangerous weather to only reach around Waco, TX (just north of where I live) Even the local weather idiots are downgrading the impact in our area. A few days ago they claimed we could experience wind in excess of 60-70 MPH with heavy bands of rain. Now they are projecting winds on Saturday to 40 MPH because the storm turn a bit northwest earlier than expected which would bring it to land about 30-40 further east.



There is still 2 more days, so it's still hard to tell exactly where the storm will hit and what direction it will take after it gets on land.



...Rich

 

[Deleted deleted]

Heck 40 mph winds are a normal spring day in North TX and Okla.

 

[Eric Pennal]

So true, Darin. :lol:

 

[Johnny O]

Right, even if Rita doesn't bother Dallas much, you've got a few million other Texans looking for a new place to spend a few days....or months.

 

[Deleted deleted]

Johnny: if you confirmed your hotel reservations, you should be ok. Now for the overcrowding in the Dallas area, not much that can be done about that.

 

[Johnny O]

Oh no, I'm not coming. 1500 miles is kinda far for a weekend trip. :lol: If The Ranger Station does a fall off-road run, usually in eastern Ohio, I'll put out an invite in case any ST'ers want to get a little dirty.

(We usually divide into three groups. "Stockers" led by yours truly who knows the easier trails, hills and stuff but you won't hurt yourself or your rig. "Mid-range" meaning you maybe have a lift, locker, and don't mind a dent or scratch. "Advanced" for people who have F & R lockers, winch, portable welder, spare parts, fear no dents, and laugh if they land on their roof.)

 

[buzz worth]

If Rita stalls as they are predicting, 25+ inches of rain are going to affect all facets of life in much of Texas.



buzz

 

[Gavin Allan]

I'm guessing the meet will have to be rescheduled. It looks pretty grim in Texas. Dallas may not get the 140 MPH winds nor the 25" of rain, but the Big D no doubt will be packed with evacuees and emergency response folks. Every hotel room in Dallas will be needed for folks there because of a higher purpose than attending a car show and state fair. Gas and other commodity shortages, as well as other pressures on the infrastructure will be great.

 

[Richard L]

Gavin has some good points. However I don;t think we can speculate on traffic, hotel availability, and gas prices until after Rita hits tomorrow and we can get a better picture of the damage and impact on the area.



I would agree that if you do not already have room reservations, you might reconsider attending the meet.



On the other hand, unless there is a direct hit on Dallas, the fair will go on as scheduled. Ford will still have their 2007 Sport Trac introduction for those who show up. I don't anticipate that the Sport Trac meet on Saturday would be cancelled since there are quite a few locals who whould attend, plus those that Ford invited via their emails.



But unfortunately, we can only specutlate now. I don't think anyone would call it off until after the results of Rita can be assessed and even now it's probably too late to call it off, since some members have reported they are already on the road heading to Dallas.



...Rich

 

[Gavin Allan]

I guess if we all had crystal balls, we would know a lot more (plus, we would have to be careful when we sit down...)