2005 — Sep 22-24, Hurricane Rita, FL Keys, Louisiana and especially Texas –111-124

—       141  (TX) Cox, Mike. Texas Disasters: True Stories of Tragedy and Survival. 2006, p229.[1]

—       127  Wikipedia. “Hurricane Gustav.” 5-23-2012 modification.[2]

—  97-125  Wikipedia.[3] “Hurricane Rita.” 10-23-2017 edit.[4]

—       120  Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita.” 10-23-2017 edit.

—    2  FL

—    1  LA

—    4  MS

–113  TX

–111-124  Blanchard tally based on State and locality breakouts below.[5]

—       119  Carpender, et al. “Urban Evacuations and Rural…” Public Health Rpt. Nov 2006.

—     <119  Direct/indirect. Hazards & Vulnerability Research Inst. “2005 U.S. Hazard Losses.”

–111-118  Blanchard tally based on cause of deaths breakout below.

—       107  Indirect. Carpender. “Urban Evacuations and Rural…” Public Health Rpt. Nov 2006.

—     <100  Insurance Journal. “Majority of Hurricane Rita’s…”  11-2-2005

—         62  Direct/indirect. Knabb, et al., Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Rita, 2006, p. 8

—           7  Houston-Galveston Area Council. Reg. Hazard Mit. Plan – 2011 Update. P. 4-28.

—           7  Direct. Knabb, et al., Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Rita. 2006, p. 8.

—           7  Direct. Nat. Hurricane Center. Tropical Weather Summary – 2005 Web Final, 2007.

—           6  Direct. Carpender. “Urban Evacuations and Rural…” Public Health Rpt. Nov 2006.

Evacuation-Related:

–107  TX.  Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005.

–107  TX.  Evac.-related. Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita.” 5-25-2012; cites Houston Chronicle.

—  90  TX.  Evacuation. Gorham. “The 7^th Anniversary…Rita…” YourWeatherBlog, 9-24-2012.

—  90  TX.  Evacuation. Zachria/Patel, “Deaths Related to Hurricane Rita,” Chest, Oct 24, 2006.

—  60  TX.  Evacuation. Texas House.  “Evacuation Planning…” Interim News, 2-14-2006, 1.

 

Breakout of Fatalities by State

 

Florida            (         2)

—  1  Miramar Beach, Walter County, Sep 24. Drowning at beach (direct); male, 52, from KY.[6]

—  1  Pensacola Beach, Escambia County. Apparent drowning or heart attack.[7]

 

Louisiana       (         1)

—  1  Near LNG plant south of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish. Drowning (direct); male.[8]

 

Mississippi      (         3)

— 1  Isola, Humphreys Co., Sep 24, 3:13 pm. Tornado (dir.); overturns mobile home, man.[9]

— 2  Pike County, U.S. 98, Sep 22. SUV accident; LA evacuee couple, man 71, woman 69.[10]

 

Texas              (105-118)

—  90-118  Excessive heat and evacuation. Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita.” 5-25-2012.

—       118  Texas House of Reps. “Evacuation Planning…” Interim News, 2-14-2006, p. 1.

–105-112  Blanchard tally based on County and locality (when available) breakouts below.[11]

—       113  Carpender, et al. “Urban Evacuations and Rural…” Public Health Rpt. Nov 2006.

—       113  Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita.” 10-23-2017 edit.

–100-111  Mike Pesca, NPR. “The True Death Toll from Hurricane Rita. 10-4-2005.[12]

—       111  Zachria and Patel. “Deaths Related to Hurricane Rita,” Chest, 10-24-2006.

—       107  Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005.

—       107  Evac.-related. Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita.” 5-25-2012; cites Houston Chronicle.

—       100  Drabek, Thomas E.  The Human Side of Disaster. CRC Press, 2010, 69.

—     >100  Robinson, Jim. “Rita Poses Texas-Sized Challenges.” Fair & Equitable, Dec 2005, 9

—     ~100  Stengle. “Number of Deaths Related to Rita Difficult…” Firehouse, 9-29-2005.

—         90  Evacuation. Gorham. “The 7^th Anniversary…Rita…” YourWeatherBlog, 9-24-2012.

—         90  Evacuation. Zachria/Patel, “Deaths Related to Hurricane Rita,” Chest, Oct 24, 2006.

—         60  Evacuation. Texas House.  “Evacuation Planning…” Interim News, 2-14-2006, 1.

—         59  Roth, David (NWS).  Texas Hurricane History.  Jan 17, 2010 update, p. 71.

—         54  NCDC. Storm Events. Search Results…All (Zone), (TX) 09/21/2005…09/24/2005.[13]

—       >52  National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database. TX search 9-22 to 9-30.[14]

—         49  National Climatic Data Center. Storm Events Database.

Breakout of Texas Fatalities by County and NCDC Zones:

—  4  Angelina County. Blanchard tally of detailed breakouts below.[15]

–10? Angelina Co. Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005.[16]

–1  Electrocution, teenager who picked up a “hot” power line.[17]

–1  Diboll vicinity, U.S. 59, Sep 23. Out-of-control pickup hits girl (A. Perez), 2.[18]

–1  Hudson, Sep 24. Falling tree outside (direct); man (Johnny Long), 79.[19]

–1  Lufkin. Female (Charlotte Ranger), 81, hit by vehicle getting off of bus.[20]

— 2  Brazoria Co. (evac.) The Facts, Brazoria Co. “Evacuation the right decision…” 9-25-05, p8.

— 1  Sep 22. Nursing home evacuee from Angleton on bus during 14-hour trip.[21]

— 1  Hwy 36 just south of Fort Bend Co. line, Sep 22. One-car accident.[22]

 

Chambers County     (  1)[23]

—  1  Chambers Co., Sep 22. “Heat” evacuation death, outside/open areas. NCDC. Storm Events.

 

Dallas County            ( 23)

— 23  Wilmer, south Dallas vic., Sep 23. Brighten Gardens Nursing Home Evacuees Bus Fire.[24]

Female, 68      Male, 74

Female, 77      Male, 78

Female, 79      Male, 79

Female, 79      Male, 86

Female, 80      Male, 89

Female, 84      Male, 90

Female, 85      Male, 92

Female, 87

Female, 89

Female, 91

Female, 91

Female, 92

Female, 92

Female, 93

Female, 94

Female, 100

 

Fort Bend County     (  2)[25]

—   3  Fort Bend Co. Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005.

—   2  Blanchard tally based on individualized breakouts below.

—   1  Fort Bend County, Sep 23. While evacuating; boy, 17.[26]

—   1  Fort Bend County. While evacuating; apparent heat-related; woman.[27]

 

Galveston County     (   3)

— 36  Galveston Co. evacuation deaths. Aulds and Viren (Daily News), Khou.com, 9-28-2005.[28]

— 36      “   Evac. Daily News, Galveston. “Evacuation death toll jumps past 30.” 9-28-2005, 1.[29]

–5-8      “   Evac. Daily News, Galveston TX. “At least five county residents…” 9-27-2005, 12.

—   3      “   Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.[30]

—   1       “  Texas City, Sep 21. Male, 60s, falls outside, storm prep., breaks leg, suffocates.[31]

—   1       “  Sep 22, I-10. Evacuating pickup veers off road, male (David Albuquerque), 17.[32]

—   1       “  Galveston County. Woman, “Sitting so long she developed a blood clot…”[33]

—  —      “  Bacliff, Galveston Co. evacuee Alice Clay dues at Woodlands, Harris Co. hosp.[34]

—  —      “  Sep 22, Galveston evacuee William H. Clayton, 84,[35] dies in Huntsville facility.[36]

—  —      “  Hitchcock, Galveston Co. woman, 65, after local transfer to Austin hospital.[37]

—  —      “  Sep 22, La Marque, Galveston Co., evacuee, Richard Basaldu, 57. Austin hosp.[38]

—  —      “  Sep 23, La Marque, Galveston Co., evacuee Mary Lou Bourgeois, 72, in Houston.[39]

—  —      “  La Marque, Gav. Co. female evacuee, 65, dies in her car. Beaumont, Jefferson Co.[40]

—  —      “  League City, Galveston Co. hospice patient evacuee, 81; facility in Kingwood.[41]

—  —      “  Texas City man, 73, after local nursing home transfer to one in Houston.[42]

—   0       “  NCDC. Storm Events Database.

 

Harris County           (35-36)

–34-36  Harris County. Blanchard tally based on locality breakouts below.[43]

—     35  Harris Co. Ackerman/Markley. “Officials Admit…” Houston Chronicle, 9-30-2005.[44]

—     35  Harris County. Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita.” 5-25-2012 modification.

—     34  NCDC. Storm Events Database. Heat…Texas…Harris…09/21/2005…09/28/2005.[45]

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 17, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 75, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 83, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 91, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.[46]

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 58, outside/open areas. NCDC. Storm Events.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 1, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 51, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 72, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 50, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 63, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 71, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 29, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 30, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 65, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.[47]

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 72, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.[48]

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 66, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.[49]

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 58, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 67, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 69, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 83, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 24, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 43, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 92, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events Data.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 80, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 79, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 71, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 90, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 86, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 85, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 83, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 92, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 27, outside/open areas. NCDC. Storm Events Data.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 73, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

—   1  Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 91, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–33  Harris County. Stengle. “Number of Deaths Related to Rita…” Firehouse, 9-29-2005.

–31  Harris County. Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll…” 9-29-2005.

–31  Harris County. Evacuation. NPR, Mike Pesca. “The True Death Toll…Rita. 10-4-2005.

–22  Harris Co. Evacuation. Ages from 14 months to 92 years. Stengle. Firehouse, 9-29-2005.

Other Harris County Deaths not in NCDC, NOAA Breakout Above:    (0-2)

–1? Harris Co., Sep 20. “woman found dead on a sidewalk three days before Rita hit land.”[50]

–1? Harris Co., by Sep 27. Texas City man, 73, after nursing home transfer to one in Houston.[51]

 

Houston Zone            (  1)

— 1  Houston Zone, Sep 22. Outside/open areas; gender/age not available NCDC. Storm Events.

 

Jackson County         (  1)

— 1  Edna, Jackson County. Car accident. Stengle. “Number of Deaths…” Firehouse, 9-29-2005.

 

Jasper County           (  1)

— 1  Jasper Co., Sep 23/24. Direct; Tree fall on mobile home, male. NCDC. Storm Events Data.

 

Jefferson County       (  7)

— 6  Beaumont, Jefferson Co., found Sep 26. CO poisoning; apartment, man, woman, children.[52]

— 1  Beaumont, Jefferson Co. La Marque female evacuee, 65, died in her car.[53]

 

Liberty County         (  2)

— 2  Liberty Co., Hardin, found Sep 24. Tree fall, mobile home (direct); man, 43, woman, 56.[54]

 

Madison County       (4-5)

— 5  Madison County. Vehicle accidents. Stengle. Firehouse, 9-29-2005.[55]

— 4  Blanchard tally of breakouts below.

— 3  Madison Co., I-45, ~Madisonville, Sep 25. Car hits median, flips; man, 51, boy 11, boy 8.[56]

— 1  Madison County. While evacuating; man dies after pulling his vehicle to road side.[57]

 

Montgomery County (13)

–13  Montgomery Co., Sep 22. “Heat” evacuation deaths. NCDC. Storm Events Database.[58]

–10 Evacuation-related. –3 Carbon monoxide poison. NCDC. Storm Events Database. [59]

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22. Health problems during evac.; female, 68. NCDC.[60]

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 53, vehicle, heat event. NCDC. Storm Data.

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 71, other, heat event. NCDC. Storm Data.

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 81, other, heat event. NCDC. Storm Data.

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 80, outside/open area, heat. NCDC. Storm.

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 76, permanent home. NCDC. Storm.[61]

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 44, permanent home. NCDC Storm Data.[62]

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 43, permanent home. NCDC. Storm.[63]

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 62, vehicle, heat. NCDC Storm Events Data.

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 59, other, heat. NCDC Storm Events Data.

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 29, other, heat. NCDC Storm Events Database.

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 93, vehicle, heat. NCDC Storm Events Data.

—  1  Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 76, other, heat. NCDC Storm Events Data.

–12  Montgomery Co. Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-05

 

Polk County               (  0)[64]

— 10  Polk County. Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005.

 

San Jacinto County  (  1)

—  1  Point Blank, San Jacinto County, Sep 23/24. Tree fall on home (direct); girl, 3.[65]

 

Shelby County           (  1)

— 1  Shelbyville, Shelby County.  Electrocution; male, while hooking-up generator.[66]

 

Travis County           (  3)

–1  Travis County. Houston evacuee child drowns in pool. (Stengle. Firehouse, 9-29-2005.)

–1  Austin hosp., Travis Co., Sep 22. La Marque, Galveston Co., evacuee, Richard Basaldu, 57[67]

–1  Austin hosp., Hitchcock, Galveston Co. woman, 65, after transfer from Hitchcock hosp.[68]

 

Waller County           (  1)

— 3  Waller Co. Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005.[69]

— 1  Waller Co. Seabrook, Harris Co., woman (Maggie Weikleenget), 78, during evacuation.[70]

 

Walker County         (1-5)

— 5  Walker County. While evacuating; all over 65 and all with medical problems.[71]

— 1  Walker Co., Sep 22, Galveston evacuee William H. Clayton, 84, in Huntsville facility.[72]

— 0  Walker Co. NWS. Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena. “September 2005.”[73]

 

Causes (Summary) (111-118)

 

Carbon monoxide poisoning            (       9)

Drowning (Direct)                             (       2)

Drowning (Indirect)                          (       2)

Electrocution                                     (       2)

Fall (Indirect)                                    (       1)

Fire (Nursing home evacuee bus)    (     23)

Health/medical/heat/evacuation       (55-60)

Tornado (Direct)                               (       1)

Tree/Tree Limb Falls (Direct)         (       5)

Vehicular Accidents                          (     11)

Not Stated                                          (    0-2)

                Total                                 111-118

 

Cause of Death – Direct (8)

Drowning       (2)

— 1  FL, Miramar Beach, Walter County, Sep 24. Drowning at beach; male, 52, from KY.

— 1  LA, near LNG plant south of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish. Drowning; male.

 

Tornado         (1)

— 1  MS, Isola, Humphreys Co., Sep 24, 3:13 pm. Tornado; overturns mobile home, man.[74]

 

Tree Fall         (5)

— 1  TX, Hudson, Angelina County, Sep 24. Falling tree outside; man, 79.

— 1  TX, Jasper Co., Sep 23. Tree fall on mobile home, male. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

— 2  TX, Liberty County, Hardin, found Sep 24. Tree fall on mobile home; man, 43, woman, 56.

— 1  TX, Point Blank, San Jacinto County, Sep 23/24. Tree fall on home; girl, 3.[75]

 

Cause of Death – Indirect (103-110)

 

Carbon monoxide poisoning                        (      9)

— 6  TX, Beaumont, Jefferson Co., found Sep 26. CO poisoning; apt., man, woman, children.

— 1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 76, permanent home. NCDC. Storm.[76]

— 1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 44, permanent home. NCDC Storm Data.[77]

— 1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 43, permanent home. NCDC. Storm.[78]

 

Drowning                                                       (      2)

— 1  FL, Pensacola Beach, Escambia County. Apparent drowning or heart attack.[79]

— 1  TX, Travis Co. Houston evacuee child drowns in pool.[80]

 

Electrocution                                                 (      2)

— 1  TX, Angelina County. Electrocution, teenager who picked up a “hot” power line.

— 1  TX, Shelbyville, Shelby County. Electrocution; male, while hooking-up generator.

 

Fall                                                                  (      1)

–1  TX, Texas City, Galveston, Sep 21. Male, 60s, falls outside, storm prep., breaks leg, suffocates.

 

Fire, Nursing home evacuee bus                 (    23)

—  23  TX, Wilmer, so. Dallas vic., Sep 23. Brighten Gardens nursing home evacuees bus fire.

 

Health/Medical/Heat/Evacuation-Related:             (55-60)

–1  TX, Brazoria Co., Sep 22. Angleton  co. nursing home evacuee on bus, 14-hour trip.

–1  TX, Chambers Co., Sep 22. “Heat” evacuation death, outside/open areas. NCDC. SED.

–1  TX, Fort Bend County, Sep 23. While evacuating; boy, 17.

–1  TX, Fort Bend County. While evacuating; apparent heat-related; woman.

–1  TX, Galveston County. Woman, “Sitting so long she developed a blood clot…”

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 17, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 75, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 83, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 91, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.[81]

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 58, outside/open areas. NCDC. Storm Events.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 1, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 51, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 72, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 50, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 63, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 71, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 29, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 30, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 65, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 66, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.[82]

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 58, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 67, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 69, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 83, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 24, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 43, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 92, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events Data.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 80, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 79, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 71, permanent home. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 90, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 86, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 85, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 83, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Male, 92, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 27, outside/open areas. NCDC. Storm Events Data.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 73, vehicle. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Harris Co., Sep 21-28. Female, 91, other. NCDC. Storm Events Database.

–1? TX, Harris Co., by Sep 27. Texas City man, 73, after nursing home transfer to one in Houston.[83]

–1  TX, Houston Zone, Sep 22. Outside/open areas; gender/age not noted. NCDC. Storm Events.

–1  TX, Jefferson County, Beaumont. La Marque female evacuee, 65, died in her car.

–1  TX, Madison County. While evacuating; man dies after pulling his vehicle to road side.

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22. Health problems during evac.; female, 68. NCDC. SED.[84]

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 53, vehicle, heat event. NCDC. Storm Data.

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 71, other, heat event. NCDC. Storm Data.

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 81, other, heat event. NCDC. Storm Data.

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 80, outside/open area, heat. NCDC. Storm.

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 62, vehicle, heat. NCDC Storm Events Data.

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 59, other, heat. NCDC Storm Events Data.

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Male, 29, other, heat. NCDC Storm Events Database.

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 93, vehicle, heat. NCDC Storm Events Data.

–1  TX, Montgomery Co., Sep 22-26. Female, 76, other, heat. NCDC Storm Events Data.

–1  TX, Travis Co., Austin hosp., Sep 22. La Marque, Galveston Co., evacuee, man, 57.

–1  TX, Travis Co., Austin hosp. Hitchcock, Galveston Co. woman, 65, after transfer from local hosp.

–1  TX, Waller Co. Seabrook, Harris Co., woman (Maggie Weikleenget), 78, during evacuation.

–1  TX, Walker Co., Sep 22, Galveston evacuee, William H. Clayton, 84, in Huntsville facility.[85]

–4? TX, Walker County. While evacuating; all over 65 and all with medical problems.[86]

 

Vehicular Accidents                                      (    11)

—  2  MS, Pike County, U.S. 98, Sep 22. SUV accident; LA evacuee couple, man 71, woman 69.

—  1  TX, Angelina Co., Diboll vic., U.S. 59, Sep 23. Out-of-control pickup hits girl, 2.

—  1  TX, Angelina Co., Lufkin. Female evacuee, 81, hit by vehicle getting off of bus.

—  1  TX, Brazoria Co., Hwy 36 just south of Fort Bend Co. line, Sep 22. One-car accident.

—  1  TX, Galveston Co., Sep 22, I-10. Evacuating pickup veers off road, male (Albuquerque), 17

—  1  TX, Harris Co., Houston Hermann Mem. Hosp. Sep 27. Woman (Tamez) 72, vehicular.[87]

—  1  TX. Jackson Co., Edna. Car accident. Stengle. “Number…Deaths…” Firehouse, 9-29-2005

—  3  TX, Madison Co., I-45, ~Madisonville, Sep 25. Car hits median, flips; males, 51, 11, 8.[88]

 

Not Stated                                                      ( 0?-2?)

— 1?  TX, Harris Co., Sep 20. “woman found dead on a sidewalk three days before Rita hit land.”

— 1?  TX, Madison County. Evacuation-related death.[89]

 

General

 

NCDC: “The eye of Hurricane Rita moved ashore in extreme southwest Louisiana between Sabine Pass and Johnson’s Bayou In Cameron Parish with a minimum central pressure of 937 mb and maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. Rita was a Category 3 hurricane at landfall. “Two and a half weeks after Hurricane Katrina made her final and devastating landfall along the northern Gulf coast, all eyes turned to Tropical Storm Rita as she moved westward through the central Bahamas. On Tuesday, September 20th, Rita rapidly intensified while moving west through the Florida Straits into the Gulf of Mexico. Rita reached Category 2 intensity as the center passed about 50 miles south of Key West and significantly impacted the Florida Keys.

 

“After entering the Gulf of Mexico, Rita intensified at an astounding rate going from Category 2 to Category 5 intensity in 24 hours. Following this rapid intensification period, sustained winds reached 165 mph on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 21st. Since early Monday, Rita had been consistently forecast to make landfall along the upper southeast Texas coast, when the 120 hour forecast from the National Hurricane Center depicted a landfall near San Luis Pass.

 

“Emergency management officials, members of the media, and residents of southeast Texas had been watching Rita closely and planning their course of action on Monday and Tuesday. Therefore, even though the hurricane was still 620 miles southeast of Galveston, everyone had the images of Hurricane Katrina’s impact on the central Gulf of Mexico coast still fresh in mind, and an unprecedented, largely voluntary evacuation began on Wednesday across southeast Texas. Emergency management officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for coastal sections of southeast Texas beginning at 6 PM on Wednesday. However, residents waiting until then to begin their evacuation found roadways in and around the densely populated Houston/Galveston area already jammed with motorists who had left earlier in the day. The fear of Katrina-like impacts prompted many inland residents to evacuate even though they were not at risk from storm surge flooding. Therefore, an incredible number of people left, with officials estimating the total to be over 2.5 million. Although the gridlock and gasoline shortages frustrated many evacuees, the evacuation had been ordered very early, and there was ample time for residents to escape the region before the onset of adverse conditions, which were expected on Friday afternoon.

 

“By early Thursday morning, September 22nd, Rita had strengthened further and reached a peak intensity of 175 mph winds with a minimum central pressure of 897 mbs. This was the third lowest pressure on record at that time for the Atlantic basin, and displaced Katrina to fifth on the most intense hurricane list. An upper-level disturbance passing well north of Katrina early on Thursday briefly induced a more northward motion and altered Rita’s motion from west-northwest to northwest. Although this change in motion was only slight; it spared the densely populated Houston/Galveston area from a direct hit and shifted the forecast track and eventual landfall point to the right. Residents of extreme southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana were then expected to experience the brunt of Rita.

 

“Fortunately, Rita weakened to a Category 3 hurricane on Friday, September 23rd, prior to landfall which occurred around 2:30 AM Saturday morning just east of the Texas/Louisiana border between Sabine Pass and Johnson’s Bayou. Rita caused devastating storm surge flooding and wind damage in southwest Louisiana and extreme southeast Texas.

 

“Hurricane Rita was the strongest hurricane to make landfall across this portion of the U.S. coastline since Hurricane Audrey (1957). Rita affected a large inland area from southeast Texas across southwest and into south-central Louisiana. Widespread damage consisting of downed trees and power lines occurred generally along and east of a line from Crystal Beach to Liberty to Livingston to Lufkin in Texas. Although Rita tracked 50 miles east of Lake Livingston, sustained northerly winds of 40 to 60 mph occurred across the lake, generating a lake surge that damaged the dam. Fear that the dam could break forced an evacuation of communities immediately downstream as a precautionary measure. Emergency water releases from the dam on Saturday quickly abated this danger.

 

“Moderate beach erosion occurred from Freeport to High Island. Dunes protecting many beach houses along the west end of Galveston Island and Surfside in Brazoria County were washed away. Large geotubes along portions of the west end of Galveston Island and also along portions of the Bolivar Peninsula did reduce erosion in areas where they were installed. Most flooding was due to high tides along Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula. Most of this flooding actually occurred near the time of landfall as water in Galveston Bay was pushed south out of the Bay onto the north facing shores of the island and the peninsula.

 

“Tides remained high on Saturday (after Rita made landfall) as strong westerly winds pushed water into East Bay. No significant flooding occurred due to heavy rain. All of the associated effects of Hurricane Rita in southeast Texas resulted in 3 direct fatalities, 3 injuries and $159.5 million in property and crop damage.

 

“In addition, the massive evacuation resulted in at least 49 indirect fatalities, mostly due to excessive heat and the transportation of the elderly out of harm’s way.

 

“In Harris County, tropical storm force sustained winds with gusts near 60 mph caused numerous trees to be blown down resulting in widespread power outages that lasted for six days in some areas. Roof, fence, sign, and glass damage estimates was around $90 million. The greatest loss was to inventory spoilage of food due to power outages. There were at least 34 indirect fatalities before, during and after Hurricane Rita. The majority of these fatalities occurred during the evacuation prior to Rita and were the result of excessive heat and transporting the elderly.

 

“In Brazoria County, tropical storm force sustained winds with gusts near 50 mph caused some tree damage and power outages for a couple of days. Minor damage was reported in Surfside to roads and a few homes. Total damage was around $500,000.

 

“In Montgomery County, tropical storm force winds with gusts to near hurricane force were observed. Damage was mainly to fences, roofs, and mobile homes and totaled approximately $2.5 million. There were 13 indirect fatalities. Ten of the deaths were evacuation related while 3 deaths were carbon monoxide poisoning with no electricity in the home.

 

“In Walker County, tropical storm force winds with gusts to near hurricane force were observed. Damage was mainly to fences, roofs, and mobile homes and totaled approximately $1.5 million.

 

“In Galveston County, tropical storm force sustained winds with gusts to hurricane force were reported across the county, especially on the Bolivar Peninsula. Numerous power poles and road signs were blown down on Bolivar. Many of the beach homes received roof damage. Numerous trees were down with small structure damage on High Island. Power was out to most of the county on Saturday. In Galveston’s historic district, a large brick-covered side of a three-story building collapsed and three other buildings caught fire and were destroyed during the height of the storm. There were three directly related injuries. A thirty-year-old woman suffered severe burns in the fire and two firefighters had minor injuries. Small structure, dock, and pier damage along with downed power lines occurred across Galveston Island. Total damage across the county was around $15 million.

 

“In Chambers County, tropical storm force winds with gusts in excess of hurricane force were observed. Damage consisted of downed trees, destroyed metal buildings and awnings, and downed power poles. One frame building near Winnie received major damage. Power was out throughout the county for up to seven days. Total damage across the county was around $8 million. One indirect fatality occurred in the county.

 

“In Liberty County, tropical storm force winds with gusts in excess of hurricane force were observed. Damage consisted of downed trees, destroyed metal buildings and awnings, and downed power poles. Power was out throughout the county for up to seven days. Total damage across the county was around $7 million. There were two direct fatalities. In Hardin, a man and a woman were killed when a tree fell on the home they were sleeping in.

 

“In Polk and San Jacinto Counties, tropical storm force winds with gusts to near hurricane force were observed. Widespread trees were down with many trees taking down power lines. Some trees fell onto homes and caused considerable damage. Widespread power outages were observed across both counties. Lake Livingston Dam reported a wind gust of 117 mph around 5:30 AM Saturday morning. This wind sensor was on the dam and the wind was blowing across the lake. With the reduced friction across the lake’s surface, this wind gust report is reasonable. The strong wind blowing along the lake created a storm surge of approximately 1.5 feet at the dam. This high water and the wave action damaged the dam which required emergency releases from the lake to stabilize the dam. The damage in Polk County was around $23 million with $20 million of that being damage to the dam at Lake Livingston.

 

“Damage in San Jacinto County was estimated at $10 million. There was one direct fatality in San Jacinto County. A three-year-old female was killed instantly by a tree falling on to her home in Point Blank.

 

“In Houston and Trinity Counties, tropical storm force winds with gusts to near 50 mph were observed. Numerous trees were down resulting in numerous power outages. One heat related indirect death occurred in Houston County during the evacuation. Total damage for both Houston and Trinity counties was near $2 million.

 

“No tornadoes were reported with Rita. Maximum rainfall amounts with Rita were between 4 and 6 inches in and around the New Caney area of Montgomery County.”  (National Weather Service. Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena. “September 2005, pp. 1-2.”

 

Texas

 

Aulds and Viren: “In all, based on information gathered from the local funeral homes, 36 Galveston County residents died during the storm evacuation. Nearly 3 million people clogged state highways and interstates last week attempting to get out of the hurricane’s path.” (Aulds and Viren, Khou.com, Sep 28, 2005.)

 

“Sept. 26 (Bloomberg) — Hurricane Rita caused only nine reported deaths after it slammed ashore near the Texas-Louisiana border on Sept. 24. At least 28 people were killed in the mass evacuation before the storm….

 

“The pre-Rita exodus, the biggest evacuation in U.S. history, slowed to a crawl as almost 3 million people fled southern Texas and Louisiana….

 

“At least five people became ill and died while stuck in traffic jams. Fuel and supply shortages and temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius) plagued the evacuees, thousands of whom were stranded on roadsides in the days before Rita hit. The 240-mile (386-kilometer) drive from Houston to Dallas took some motorists more than 24 hours.

 

“The Houston Chronicle reported that a 79-year-old man near Lufkin, a city where some of the evacuees took refuge, was killed when a tree blown over by Rita fell on him….

 

“Five people were found dead today in a Beaumont, Texas, apartment, the Houston Chronicle said. The man, woman and three children may have been overcome by fumes from a generator they used after Rita knocked out power service, the newspaper said. The bodies were discovered by the children’s aunt….” (Bloomberg (Jim Kennett and Eileen O’Grady). “Rita’s Death Toll Highest From Evacuation, Not Storm (Update 2). 9-26-2005.)

 

Sep 27, Galveston Daily News: “At least five Galveston County residents died during the Hurricane Rita evacuation, according to information provided by Games Brothers Funeral Home, which is handling funeral arrangements.  They are:

 

• Dr. William Howard “Bill” Clayton, 78, of Galveston.
• Mary Lou Bourgeois, 72, of La Marque.
• A 65-year-old La Marque woman who died while in her car in Beaumont
• A 65-year-old Hitchcock woman who died after being transferred from a local hospital

to one in Austin.

• A 73-year-old Texas City man who died after being transferred from a local nursing

home to one in Houston.

 

“Funeral home director Jay Games said his company, which contracts with the medical examiners offices in Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston counties, had handled eight people whose deaths were contributed to by the evacuation.”  (Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, 1, 12.)

 

Sep 28, Galveston Daily News: “More than 30 Galveston County residents died in the Hurricane Rita evacuation, according to funeral homes that continue to receive requests for arrangements.

 

“Many of the dead were elderly and often residents of nursing homes or hospice care centers.

 

“But others died in their cars or once they arrived at what was supposed to be sanctuary from the hurricane.

 

“Among the dead was a Galveston woman who died from a blood clot.  “Sitting so long she developed a blood clot,” said Kathy Hurin of Broadway Funeral Home in Galveston. “She died right there on the telephone talking (to her family).”….

 

“Bacliff resident Alice Clay was in her car stuck on Interstate 45 near the Woodlands, family members said.  She experienced health problems while in traffic and was transported St. Luke’s Hospital in The Woodlands, where she died.

 

“La Marque resident Richard Basaldu, 57, died Thursday after he was transferred to an Austin hospital during the evacuation, officials with Malloy and Son Funeral Homes said.

 

“Crowder Funeral Homes, which operates three funeral homes in the county, is handling the funeral arrangements of 25 people who funeral directors said died during the evacuation.

 

“Among those was an 81-year-old hospice patient from League City who died at a facility in Ringwood.

 

“Former Galveston City Councilman William Clayton also died during the evacuation after being transferred from a long-term care facility in Galveston to a center in Huntsville.

 

“In all, based on information gathered from the local funeral homes, 36 Galveston County residents died during the storm evacuation.

 

“Nearly 3 million people clogged state highways and interstates last week attempting to get out of the hurricane’s path.  Many, including most of those who died, were stuck on roadways that were turned into parking lots.

 

“Sheronda Bourgeois, whose grandmother Mary Lou died of heat stroke after being stuck in one of those jams along Interstate 10, blamed Houston and Harris County officials for panicking residents to the north about the oncoming storm and creating the massive road congestion.  Her 72-year-old grandmother, who had never before fled a hurricane, will be buried Saturday.” (Daily News, Galveston County, TX. “Evacuation death toll jumps past 30.” 9-28-2005, pp. 1, 5.)

 

Sep 29, Houston Chronicle: “A 2-year-old Houston girl crushed beneath the wheels of a pickup; a Sugar Land man and his two young children fatally pitched from their overturning car near Madisonville; a 92-year-old La Marque woman dead after losing consciousness while stuck in highway gridlock — Hurricane Rita’s tales of sorrow rolled in as the death toll climbed.

 

“A Chronicle survey of Houston-area counties and those along major evacuation routes to the north and west indicates that at least 107 people were killed by last week’s hurricane or died in accidents or from health problems associated with the evacuation of 2.5 million people from their homes.

 

“One day before the expected announcement of a state-county-city task force to examine the problems that plagued the exodus, which doubled or tripled the travel time between Houston and other Texas cities, Mayor Bill White conceded, ‘I don’t think the evacuation should be a disaster in itself.’

 

“State Rep. Garnet Coleman, D-Houston, whose wife spent more than 12 hours in a U.S. 290 traffic jam, called for a careful review of the evacuation. “People are downplaying the fact that people died in the evacuation and that is not right,” he said. “Is the chance of dying greater in the movement than in the storm? That’s the question we need to consider.”

 

Calls for Improvement.

 

“At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, a Clear Lake dermatologist who spent 19 hours in evacuation traffic, called for the immediate opening of all highway lanes to outbound traffic in the event of a future evacuation. “It was like we were yelling ‘fire,’ ” she said of last week’s evacuation, “but all the doors were shut.”

 

“White expressed concern at the state’s slow response to city requests for assistance in traffic control and extra gasoline.  “They said they had a plan,” he said. “They said they had a timetable.”  But there was no plan for contra-flow lanes, the mayor said. So, the city asked Gov. Rick Perry’s staff in the middle of the night to get contra-flow lanes working, and the effort got under way immediately after that.

 

“Texas Homeland Security Director Steve McCraw said the state immediately responded to White’s 6 a.m. Thursday request to open all Interstate 45 lanes to outbound traffic, but he admitted the effort could have been executed more efficiently. Hours elapsed as 700 troopers were brought in to close entrance ramps on the southbound lanes and other measures were taken to alter traffic flow.  Traffic on I-45 North already was gridlocked when they opened all lanes to northbound traffic. Interstate 10 was completely opened for outbound traffic several hours later.

 

“The death toll for Hurricane Rita and the evacuation continued to climb Wednesday.  Preliminary death reports from law enforcement and medical examiners included 31 fatalities in Harris County, 23 in Dallas County, 10 each in Polk and Angelina counties, 12 in Montgomery County and three each in Fort Bend, Waller and Madison counties. Another dozen died in seven other counties.

Two Cases Questioned.

 

“In some cases, experts dispute the criteria used to link deaths to the storm. Though it generally was accepted that the storm could indirectly kill by triggering medical crises in the frail or elderly, at least two cases were questioned by University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston ethicist Dr. William Winslade.

 

“Winslade suggested the Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office attributing the deaths of a 27-year-old schizophrenic found on a Houston street before the storm and the death of an infant who had suffered days of vomiting and diarrhea was a stretch. The Medical Examiner’s office did not respond to a Chronicle inquiry about the deaths….

 

“Two-year-old Angela Perez of Houston was killed at 10 a.m. Friday when she was struck by an out-of-control pickup as her family rested on the side of U.S. 59 just south of Diboll in Angelina County. Diboll Police Chief Kent Havard said the 64-year-old driver of the truck apparently fell asleep at the wheel after spending more than 20 hours in evacuation traffic.  The driver was not charged in the accident, Havard said.

 

“In Lufkin, Charlotte Ranger, 81, of Baytown, was struck and killed as she stepped from a chartered evacuation bus to enter a shelter, Lufkin police said.

 

“Sugar Land resident Michael Alexander, 51, and his children, Omar, 11, and Amal, 8, were killed Sunday when their auto struck an I-45 median near Madisonville and overturned. The three, none of whom had worn seat belts, were ejected. The family was returning from Arlington, where it had sought shelter from Rita….

 

“Law enforcement officers not prone to tears said they often wept openly as they dealt with the repercussions of the flight from Rita.  “It was horrible,” said San Jacinto County Sheriff’s spokesman J. J. Stitt.  Stitt helped provide a police escort for a charter bus filled with elderly residents from the Houston area en route to a local hospital. Earlier, the bus driver had made a 911 emergency call to authorities as his passengers sickened. By the time officers arrived, two were dead….

 

“La Marque resident Mary Lou Bourgeois, 92, became another Rita evacuation victim when she reluctantly joined her family fleeing via clogged I-10.  “She would never run,” said her granddaughter Sheronda Bourgeois, 30. “She always said, ‘If God is going to get you, he’s going to get you.’ ”  After about 12 hours on the road Thursday — the family had gotten only as far as west Houston — the elderly woman began having difficulty breathing. She then lost consciousness. She died Friday at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital….” (Houston Chronicle, TX. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005.)

 

Insurance Journal: “More than 100 lives were lost in accidents attributable to Hurricane Rita, many of them traffic fatalities.” (Insurance Journal, “Majority of…Rita’s…” 11-2-2005.)

 

Knabb: “Flood waters in downtown Lake Charles were as deep as about 6 ft in some places.   Farther east, most or all of Vermillion, Iberia, and St. Mary Parishes south of Highway 14 and U. S. 90 (several miles inland) were inundated by the storm surge, visually estimated at 8-12 ft in some of these areas; a high water mark of nearly 12 ft was also observed in western St. Mary Parish near the town of Louisa. The water crossed these highways in numerous locations and was 3 to 6 ft deep in many homes.”  (Knabb, et al., Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Rita, 2006, 6)

 

“At least 90 tornadoes were reported in association with Rita, mainly to the north and east of the circulation center in portions of Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas….” (Knabb, et al., Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Rita, 2006, p. 7)

 

“The approach of Rita provoked one the largest evacuations in U. S. history. Media reports indicate that the number of evacuees in Texas could have exceeded two million. Additional evacuations involving smaller numbers took place in Louisiana.

 

“Seven fatalities have been directly attributed to the forces of Rita. One was due to drowning near Lake Charles, Louisiana; two people died in Hardin, Texas when a tree was blown down onto their home; one person died when a tree fell on her home in Point Blank, Texas; another person was killed by a falling tree in Angelina County, Texas; one person was killed in a tornado near Isola, Mississippi; and one person drowned in a rip current at Miramar Beach in the Florida panhandle on 24 September. At least 55 “indirect” fatalities have been reported in Texas. Six of these occurred in Beaumont due to carbon monoxide poisoning. A bus accident south of Dallas during the course of the evacuation killed more than 20 persons, mostly elderly evacuees from a nursing home. Other persons died during the evacuation due to heat exhaustion.” (Knabb, Brown, Rhome. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Rita, 18-26 Sep 2005.  2006, p. 8.)

 

NHC: “Rita made landfall on September 24 between Sabine Pass, Texas, and Johnsons Bayou, Louisiana, as a Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. It continued on through parts of southeast Texas. The storm surge caused extensive damage along the Louisiana and extreme southeastern Texas coasts and completely destroyed some coastal communities. The storm killed seven people directly; many others died in evacuations and from indirect effects….

 

“Rita was an intense…destructive…and deadly hurricane that significantly impacted the Florida Keys and devastated portions of southeastern Texas and southern Louisiana.  Rita became a depression just east of the Turks and Caicos Islands late on 17 September.  It moved westward and became a tropical storm the following afternoon.  Continuing on through the central Bahamas on 19 September…Rita did not strengthen during the following night…it intensified on 20 September while moving through the Florida Straits.  It reached category two intensity as the center passed about 50 miles south of Key West.

 

“After entering the Gulf of Mexico…Rita intensified at a rapid rate…from category two to category five in about 24 hours… with winds reaching 165 mph on the afternoon of 21 September.  The hurricane strengthened further and reached a peak intensity of 180 mph early on 22 September…about 310 miles south-southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River…. Rita began to weaken later that day…but as it passed through the Gulf of Mexico…it produced storm surge flooding in portions of the New Orleans area that had previously been inundated by Katrina.  Rita turned northwestward and weakened to category three on 23 September.  It then made landfall around 240 am CDT 24 September just east of the Texas/Louisiana border between Sabine Pass and Johnson’s Bayou…still at category three intensity with 115 mph winds.  Rita caused devastating storm surge flooding and wind damage in southwestern Louisiana and extreme southeastern Texas.” (National Hurricane Center, Tropical Weather Summary – 2005.)

 

NHC: “Rita weakened after moving inland but remained a tropical storm until reaching northwestern Louisiana late on 24 September.  It then turned northeastward and merged with a frontal system two days later.” (National Hurricane Center, Tropical Weather Summary–2005 Web Final, 2007.)

 

NHC: “Hurricane Rita was the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane ever recorded and the most intense tropical cyclone ever observed in the Gulf of Mexico. Rita caused $11.3 billion in damage on the U.S. Gulf Coast in September 2005.  Rita was the seventeenth named storm, tenth hurricane, fifth major hurricane, and third Category 5 hurricane of the historic 2005 Atlantic hurricane season of 28 tropical storms.” (National Hurricane Center, Tropical Weather Summary 2005, 2007.)

 

NPR: “Hurricane Rita’s death toll remains uncertain because there’s no central authority responsible for defining and counting “hurricane-related deaths.” For instance, the storm only glanced Houston, but may have nonetheless killed more than 100 residents of that city.

 

Transcript:  “Mike Pesca reporting:

 

“A day after Hurricane Rita made landfall at the extreme southeast tip of Texas, that state’s governor, Rick Perry, appeared on “Meet the Press.” When Tim Russert asked how many deaths have been the result of this hurricane, the governor answered. …

 

“Governor Rick Perry (Texas): Well, from the direct impact of the hurricane, it appears at this particular point in time that it’s zero.

 

“Pesca: Perry went on to acknowledge the bus near Dallas that exploded, killing 23, but concluded his answer with, `We have truly dodged a major bullet.’ Soon thereafter, official tallies of the deaths inched up, but when the Houston Chronicle ran a story in the days after Rita, referring to a death toll of 10, they were inundated with letters wondering, `What about the bus?’ As the Chronicle’s editors considered that complaint, the medical examiner of Harris County, Houston’s home, issued a report which documented 31 people who died during the evacuation process. Ronnie Crocker, an editor with the Chronicle, describes the paper’s reaction.

 

“Mr. Ronnie Crocker (Houston Chronicle): We didn’t realize how many people had died on the route, and when the medical examiner’s list came across on, I guess, Wednesday afternoon and we saw 31 deaths, and you read the accounts of them, when they’re like 108-degree temperature, 112, 107, it was clear immediately that they weren’t just dying in Harris County, and so that’s when we started looking at the different counties all along the evacuation route.

 

“Pesca: Chronicle staffers began canvassing Texas’ more than 250 counties. They talked to medical examiners, justices of the peace and hospitals in areas throughout the state. To date, this, the most complete survey, puts the total number of deaths attributable to Rita at 111. Who to count and who not to wasn’t always clear. Ronnie Crocker gives this example.

 

“Mr. Crocker: But we had a two-year-old that was backed over, and the reason that child was out of the vehicle and, you know, near cars was because the family he was traveling with had stopped to rest in a line of traffic.

 

“Pesca: These kinds of judgment call being made in the newsroom mirrored the work of medical examiners around the state. Galveston County, for example, had two deaths caused by Rita, maybe. One was a man who was asphyxiated, possibly preparing for the hurricane. The other was a teen-ager with a pre-existing heart condition who died in his car during the evacuation. Galveston’s chief medical examiner, Stephen Pustilnik, says all he can do is report his findings including his uncertainties to whatever entity is collecting the data, but right now no official requests for the information have been made.

 

“The saddest part of this whole story may be that a lot of the evacuations were unnecessary and possibly even avoidable. While experts acknowledge that certain hurricanes on certain trajectories should spur a countywide evacuation, Rita turned out not to have been one of these hurricanes. The county based its evacuation plans partly on a survey conducted by a private firm. The wind damage expert for that survey was Bob Bailey. Bailey says there was enough time to realize that Rita had changed course, which is why he, unlike most of his neighbors, chose not to evacuate his suburban Houston home….” (NPR, Mike Pesca. “The True Death Toll from Hurricane Rita.” 10-4-2005.)

 

Roth: “September 22-26th, 2005 (Rita): Rita was an intense, destructive, and deadly hurricane that significantly impacted the Florida Keys and devastated extreme southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. It formed off an old frontal zone, and developed into a tropical depression on the 17th just east of the Turks and Caicos Islands and moved westward, becoming a tropical storm on the afternoon on the 18th and a hurricane on the 20th as it moved through the Florida Straits. As it emerged into the Gulf of Mexico, Rita began to rapidly intensify.

 

“Maximum sustained winds increased to 175 mph on the 22nd while moving through the central Gulf of Mexico, and its pressure fell to 897 hPa, the third lowest on record for the Atlantic Basin and the lowest reported from the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Easterly gales into Lake Pontchartrain led to renewed flooding in the ninth ward of New Orleans soon after Katrina’s flooding had receded. A significant shear-line aloft lured Rita more northwesterly, and the tropical cyclone weakened as it moved away from the warm waters of the loop current. Landfall occurred at 230 am CDT between Sabine Pass and Johnsons Bayou, LA while a category 3 hurricane. Rita slowly weakened as it accelerated inland, and maintained at least tropical storm strength when it crossed back into northwest Louisiana. The cyclone moved northeast and merged with a frontal wave on the 26th. A total of four direct and 55 indirect fatalities were associated with Rita in Texas. Damages totaled $10 billion.” (Roth, David (NWS). Texas Hurricane History.  Jan 17, 2010 update, p. 71.)

 

Texas House of Representatives: “In late September 2005, as Hurricane Rita tore through the Gulf of Mexico, millions of residents of coastal communities, the Houston area, and Southeast Texas evacuated their homes with fresh memories of the devastation caused just weeks earlier by Hurricane Katrina. Although the storm did not wreak the havoc that its predecessor did to the east, the damage caused not only by heavy winds and floodwaters but also by the evacuation itself contributed to more than 100 deaths in Texas.  [TX House 2006, 1.]

 

“As Hurricane Rita approached, an estimated 3.7 million people evacuated the Houston area and Texas coast between Corpus Christi and Beaumont. Preliminary data from the Texas Department of State Health Services indicate that 118 deaths are connected to Hurricane Rita. The state has yet to determine if the storm itself, the evacuation, or other mitigating factors were responsible for the deaths.  News reports have linked at least 60 of those fatalities to the evacuation, including 23 residents of a Bellaire assisted-living facility who perished in a bus fire.

 

“`Probably the biggest failure of the whole process was communication – people not having their expectations met,”  Harris County Judge Eckels said during the task force’s first hearing in October. “And if people know they’re going to be in a 20-hour drive, they can prepare for a 20-hour drive.  If they think it’s going to be four or five, they don’t…prepare for it with gasoline and water or food.” Several local officials reported that many residents gave up on evacuating and simply returned home to brave the storm rather than risk being stranded in traffic when the storm hit….”  (Texas House of Representatives, House Research Organization.  “Evacuation Planning in Texas: Before and After Hurricane Rita.” Interim News, 2-14-2006, No. 79-2, 1-2.)

 

Zachria and Patel: “There were 111 deaths related to Hurricane Rita inthe state of Texas. The three direct deaths were from wind blowntrees. A majority of the deaths (90/108 or 83.3%) were relatedto the mass evacuation process. Of these deaths, 10% were directlyrelated to hyperthermia in motor vehicles. The combination oftraffic gridlock and high temperatures, limitation of air conditioningto reduce fuel consumption, reduction of oral intake to decreaserestroom visits, and conservation of limited supplies is suspected.51.1% (46/90) of the evacuation deaths were persons found unresponsivein their vehicle. Hyperthermia and decompensated chronic healthconditions are suspected but complete health information wasnot available. 25.5% (23/90) were nursing home evacuees whodied in a bus fire that resulted from overheated brakes in combinationwith oxygen tanks. The evacuation of patients from chronic healthfacilities resulted in 10 deaths (11.1%).

 

“Conclusion:  Ninety lives were lost primarily as a result ofmass evacuation from Hurricane Rita. Cooperation and strategicplanning from state and local government as well as public healthauthorities is necessary to prevent similar evacuation problemsin the future.

 

“Clinical Implications: Disaster evacuation plans must be revised to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives.^”  (Zachria and Patel, “Deaths Related to Hurricane Rita,” Chest, Oct 24, 2006.)

 

Sources

 

Ackerman, Todd, and Melanie Markley. “Officials Admit Better Plans Needed for the Elderly, Frail.” Houston Chronicle, 9-30-2005. Accessed 2-12-2014 at: http://globalag.igc.org/armedconflict/countryreports/americas/plans.htm

 

Associated Press. “Early measures show more died before Rita struck,” Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 9-30-3005. Accessed at: http://lubbockonline.com/stories/093005/sta_093005099.shtml

 

Aulds, T. J., and Sarah Viren. “Galveston County Evacuation Death Toll Now Past 30.” Daily News, Galveston County, TX, 9-28-2005. Accessed at:  http://archive.is/TTbq5 > and at: http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/khou050928_cd_galvctydeaths.9fb1b409.html

 

Blogbat. “More deaths attributed to Rita.” Accessed at: http://blogbat.us/mt/archives/2005/09/

 

Bowman, Becky, and Betty Martin. “Fatalities. Death toll in county from Rita rises by 4.” Houston Chronicle, 10-2-2005. Accessed 2-11-2014 at: http://archive.is/n8hPR

 

Carpender, S. Kay, Paul H. Campbell, and Jill J. Artzberger. “Urban Evacuations and Rural America: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Rita.” Public Health Reports (Association of Schools of Public Health), Vol. 121, No. 6, Nov-Dec 2006, pp. 775-779. Accessed 2-10-2014 at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1781922/#!po=2.63158

 

CNN. “Police: 24 dead after bus fleeing Rita catches fire,” 9-23-2005. Accessed at: http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/23/bus.fire/

 

Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN. “Rita evacuees die in Miss. Crash.” 9-24-2005. Accessed 2-10-2014 at: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2005/sep/24/in-brief/?print=1

 

Cox, Mike. Texas Disasters: True Stories of Tragedy and Survival. Guilford, CT: Globe Pequot Press, 2006.

 

Daily News, Galveston County, TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, 1, 12. At:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=112766886

 

Daily News, Galveston County, TX. “Evacuation death toll jumps past 30.” 9-28-2005, 1. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=112766898

 

Daily News, Galveston Co. “Obituaries,” 10-1-2005. Accessed 2-12-2014 at: http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/oldsearch/obit/view.aspx?db=web-obituary&kw=&pid=8913169&url=http://search.ancestrylibrary.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll%3Fdb%3Dweb-obituary%26_F0002716%3Dnid421%26_F0002717%3DDaily%2BSentry-News%2B%2BThe%26_810002A3%3D%26gss%3Dangs-d%26rank%3D1%26fh%3D20

 

Death-record.com. “Find Alice Clay Texas Death Records.” Cites: Social Security Death Master File. NTIS.gov. U. S. Department of Commerce. Accessed 3-15-2014 at: http://www.death-record.com/d/n/Alice-Clay/Texas

 

Drabek, Thomas E.  The Human Side of Disaster. Boca Raton, FL:  CRC Press, 2010.

 

Gorham, Dave. “The 7^th Anniversary of Hurricane Rita…and the Largest Evacuation Ever.” YourWeatherBlog, 9-24-2012. Accessed 2-12-2014: http://yourweatherblog.com/?p=10721

 

Hazards & Vulnerability Research Institute. “2005 U.S. Hazard Losses.” Columbia:  University of South Carolina, Department of Geography, December 14, 2007 update.  Accessed at:  http://www.cas.sc.edu/geog/hrl/SHELDUSproducts.html

 

Horswell, Cindy. “New Caney couple running generator die.” Houston Chronicle, 9-29-2005. http://www.chron.com/news/hurricanes/article/New-Caney-couple-running-generator-die-1517654.php

 

Houston-Galveston Area Council. Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan – 2011 Update. P. 4-28. At: http://www.h-gac.com/community/community/hazard/documents/2011_05_Section_4-2_Hazard_Analysis.pdf

 

Houston Chronicle, TX. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005. Accessed at: http://www.chron.com/news/hurricanes/article/Exodus-weighs-heavily-in-death-toll-107-1502590.php

 

Insurance Journal. “Majority of Hurricane Rita’s $4.7 Billion in Losses Sustained in La., Texas.” 11-2-2005. At: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2005/11/02/61497.htm

 

iol news (Independent Online, Independent Newspapers). “Hurricane Rita claims another victim,” 9-26-2005. At: http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/hurricane-rita-claims-another-victim-1.254396#.UvlQwc4l_Os

 

KATC, Beaumont TX. “Sixth person dies after carbon monoxide poisoning at apartment.” 10-3-2005. Accessed at:  http://danger.mongabay.com/hurricane/TEXAS/Harris_County.html

 

Kennett, Jim, and Eileen O’Grady. “Rita’s Death Toll Highest From Evacuation, Not Storm (Update 2).” Bloomberg, 9-26-2005.  Accessed 5-30-2012 at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aO0iZC5OKbFw&refer=top_world_news

 

Knabb, Richard D., Daniel P. Brown, and Jamie R. Rhome. Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Rita, 18-26 September 2005. Miami: National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, NOAA, March 17, 2006, 33 p. At:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/TCR-AL182005_Rita.pdf

 

KSLA News 12, Shreveport, LA and Associated Press. “Hurricane Rita – Latest News.” 2005. Accessed at: http://www.ksla.com/story/3885721/hurricane-rita-latest-news

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Heat…Texas… Chambers…09/22/2005. At: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5478490

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Heat…Texas… Harris…09/21/2005…09/28/2005 [reporting period]. Accessed 3-15-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5478489

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Heat…Texas…

Houston…09/22/2005. At: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5478491

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Heat…Texas… Montgomery…09/22/2005…09/26/2005 [reporting period]. Accessed e-15-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5478551

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)…Texas…Angelina…9/24/2005. Accessed 3-15-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5481037

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)…Texas…Jasper…09/23/2005…09/24/2005. Accessed 3-15-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5475145

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)…Texas…Liberty…09/23/2005…09/24/2005. Accessed 3-15-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5478434

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)…Texas…Montgomery…09/23/2005…09/24/2005. Accessed 3-15-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5478486

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)…Texas…San Jacinto…09/23/2005…09/24/2005 [reporting period]. Accessed 3-15-2014 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5478436

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Search Results for All (Zone, (Texas), between Sep 20 and Sep 30, 2005. At: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/choosedates.jsp?statefips=48%2CTEXAS

 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Partial Data Dump of Crashes Involving 10 or More Fatalities, by Year, Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) 1975-2009 Final and 2010 ARF. Washington, DC: NHTSA, pdf file provided to Wayne Blanchard, 1-26-2012.

 

National Hurricane Center, NOAA. Tropical Weather Summary – 2005 Web Final.  Miami: NHC, National Weather Service, NOAA, 1-23-2007.  Accessed at:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/tws/MIATWSAT_nov_final.shtml

 

National Transportation Safety Board. Highway Accident Report. Motorcoach Fire on Interstate 45 During Hurricane Rita Evacuation Near Wilmer, Texas, September 23, 2005 (NTSB HAR-07/01; NTIS PB2007-916202). Washington, DC: NTSB, adopted February 21, 2007, 142 pages. Accessed at: http://www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2007/HAR0701.pdf

 

National Weather Service. Storm Data and Unusual Weather Phenomena. “September 2005.” Accessed 3-16-2014 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/images/hgx/stormdata/sep05hgx.pdf

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Lake Charles, LA. Hurricane Rita. “Preliminary Storm Report…”1-25-2006. Accessed at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lch/?n=rita_psh

 

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, Shreveport, LA. Track of Hurricane Rita. 8-3-2009 modification. Accessed 2-10-2014 at: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/shv/?n=hurricane_rita

 

Pesca, Mike. “The True Death Toll from Hurricane Rita. National Public Radio, 10-4-2005. Accessed 5-30-2012 at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4944838

 

Robinson, Jim. “Rita Poses Texas-Sized Challenges. A Week in the life of Harris County Appraisal District.” Fair & Equitable, Dec 2005, 9. accessed 5-30-2012 at:  http://www.iaao.org/uploads/Rita_Poses_TexasSized_Challenges.pdf

 

Rosenker, Mark V. “Testimony of Mark V. Rosenker, Chairman National Transportation Safety Board Before The Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies, U.S. Senate, 4-19-2007.”  Washington, DC: NTSB. Accessed at:  http://www.ntsb.gov/speeches/rosenker/mvr070419.htm

 

Roth, David (National Weather Service). Texas Hurricane History. Camp Springs, MD:  NWS.  1-17-2010 update. Accessed at  http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/research/txhur.pdf

 

Stengle, Jamie. “Number of Deaths Related to Rita Difficult to Determine.” Firehouse, 9-29-2005. At: http://www.firehouse.com/news/10500454/number-of-deaths-related-to-rita-difficult-to-determine

 

Storm Predication Center, National Weather Service, NOAA. 2005 Tornado Fatality Information. No date. Accessed at: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/torn/2005deadlytorn.html

 

Texas House of Representatives, House Research Organization. “Evacuation Planning in Texas: Before and After Hurricane Rita.” Interim News, 2-14-2006, No. 79-2. Accessed 5-30-2012 at:  http://www.hro.house.state.tx.us/interim/int79-2.pdf

 

The Facts, Brazoria County, TX. “Evacuation the right decision, despite flaws in plan.” 9-25-2005, 8. Accessed at:  http://newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=111131475

 

Tornado Project, “Tornadoes in the Past…2005…September 24, 2005. Accessed 3-15-2014 at: http://www.tornadoproject.com/past/pastts05.htm

 

Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita.” Accessed 5-30-2012: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Rita

 

Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita.” 10-23-2017 edit. Accessed 10-29-2017 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Rita

 

Wikipedia. “Hurricane Gustav.” 5-19-2011. At:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Gustav

 

WJHG News Channel 7, Panama City Beach, FL. “Two Swimmers Die, More Than a Dozen Rescued off Panhandle Beaches,” 9-26-2005. Accessed 2-10-2014 at: http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/1751331.html?site=full

 

Wright, Michael. “2 county residents die during evacuation,” The Facts [newspaper], Clute, TX, 9-23-2005, p. 5. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=116444681&sterm

 

Zachria, Anthony, and Bela Patel. “Deaths Related to Hurricane Rita,” Chest Journal, 10-24-2006.  Accessed at:  http://meeting.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/130/4/124S-c

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] We do not use this figure in that it is not in keeping with other fatality reports and there are no source citations.

[2] Since there is no supporting breakout and the number of deaths disagrees with Wikipedia article on Rita, we choose not to use as high fatality estimate.

[3] We do not use 125 as the high-end of the range we show because (1) the article shows 3 deaths for Pike County, MS, whereas we show three, and the footnote link to the unknown source is broken, and (2) the article is “all-over-the-place” with fatality figures, which we speculate is derivative of multiple hands at work.

[4] We find it difficult to understand this range, found in the sidebar on the right side of the page, with the statement in the narrative section “Texas reported the most deaths from the hurricane, where 113 deaths were reported, 107 of which were associated with the evacuation of the Houston metropolitan area.” Then, several paragraphs down under the heading “Evacuation deaths”, in reference to the Houston evacuation, it is written that “The combination of severe gridlock and excessive heat led to between 90 and 118 deaths even before the storm arrived.”

[5] The range has to do with deaths reported within Texas which we have not been able to identify. The Texas House of Representatives reports 118 Texas storm-related deaths but we have only been able to identify 105-112 (there being questions/ambiguity concerning seven). Accepting The TX House of Reps. Number and adding FL(2), LA (1), and MS (3) gives us high range of 124.

[6] WJHG News Channel 7, Panama City Beach, FL. “Two Swimmers Die, More Than a Dozen Rescued off Panhandle Beaches,” 9-26-2005; Knabb. Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Rita. 2006, p. 8 (notes as “direct.”)

[7] Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita,” has this as a beach drowning. WJHG News writes: “At Pensacola Beach, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says witnesses saw a man walk out of the surf, then collapse as he turned back toward the water. An autopsy has been scheduled.” WJHG News Channel 7, Panama City Beach, FL. “Two Swimmers Die, More Than a Dozen Rescued off Panhandle Beaches,” 9-26-2005.

[8] National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Lake Charles, LA. Hurricane Rita. “Preliminary Storm Report…”1-25-2006; Knabb. Tropical Cyclone Report Hurricane Rita. 2006, p. 8.

[9] Knabb. Tropical Cyclone Report…Rita. 2006, p. 8 (listed as a “direct” death); identification as a male killed when his mobile home was overturned from Tornado Project, “Tornadoes in the Past…2005…September 24, 2005.

[10] “McComb, Miss. – A Louisiana couple fleeing Hurricane Rita died in a one-vehicle accident on U.S. 98 in Pike County, authorities said Friday. The accident occurred on Thursday [Sep 22], said County Coroner Percy Pittman, who identified the pair as Tommy G. Taylor, 71, and his wife, Emogene N. Taylor, 69, both of Lake Charles, La.” (Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN. “Rita evacuees die in Miss. Crash.” 9-24-2005.)

[11] We use the range 105-118 in the “Texas” line above in Bold in that we do not feel we should ignore the Texas House of Representatives figure of 118.

[12] “Chronicle [Houston] staffers began canvassing Texas’ more than 250 counties. They talked to medical examiners, justices of the peace and hospitals in areas throughout the state. To date, this, the most complete survey, puts the total number of deaths attributable to Rita at 111.” Elsewhere in the broadcast transcript 100 is noted.

[13] Includes 49 “heat” deaths, and 5 “hurricane (typhoon)” deaths in Harris, Chambers, Montgomery, Houston San Jacinto, Liberty, and Angelina “zones.”

[14] Three “direct” and “at least 49 indirect fatalities.”

[15] The Houston Chronicle noted above has ten deaths; we have not seen another source for anything more than four.

[16] We do not use this number in that we cannot substantiate.

[17] NWS WFO, Shreveport, LA. Track of Hurricane Rita. 8-3-2009 modification; NCDC. Storm Events Database.

[18] Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005.

[19] iol news (Independent Online/Independent Newspapers). “Hurricane Rita claims another victim,” 9-26-2005; NWS WFO, Shreveport, LA. Track of Hurricane Rita. 8-3-2009 mod.; Knabb. Tropical Cyclone Report…Rita. 2006, p. 8; NCDC. Storm Events Database…Hurricane (Typhoon)…Texas…Angelina…9/24/2005.

[20] Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily in death toll: 107.” 9-29-2005.

[21] Not clear this death was in Brazoria County. Article notes “A resident of Country Village Care nursing home in Angleton died Thursday during a 14-hour trip on a private bus [according to] Brazoria County’s emergency management coordinator. (Wright. “2 county residents die during evacuation,” The Facts, Clute, TX, 9-23-2005, 5.)

[22] Wright, Michael. “2 county residents die during evacuation,” The Facts [newspaper], Clute, TX, 9-23-2005, p.5.

[23] In narrative section it is stated that “One indirect fatality occurred in the county.” Thus, we postulate that the same fatality is being referred to when the two dates are separately entered into the search engine, probably reflecting a broader reporting period that includes time-frames within each day.

[24] CNN. “Police: 24 dead after bus fleeing Rita catches fire,” 9-23-2005. Notes nursing home was in Bellaire (Harris County near Houston). There were 38 residents and six staff. After catching fire there was an explosion. Notes that “The incident blocked northbound lanes of Interstate 45 at Wilmer, a Dallas suburb.” Also, Rosenker, 4-19-2007; Carpender, et al. “Urban Evacuations and Rural…” Public Health Rpt. Nov 2006.

[25] We have been unable to substantiate the Houston Chronicle notation of three deaths.

[26] “In Fort Bend County, a 17-year-old boy became unresponsive in a vehicle while evacuating Friday night. He died in a hospital, and the cause of death is pending…” Stengle. “Number of deaths…” Firehouse, 9-29-2005.

[27] Blogbat. “More deaths attributed to Rita.” Cites KHOU and includes a dead link.

[28] “…according to funeral homes that continue to receive requests for arrangements, many of the dead were elderly and often residents of nursing homes or hospice care centers. But others died in their cars or once they arrived at what was supposed to be sanctuary from the hurricane….Crowder Funeral Homes, which operates three funeral homes in the county, is handling…arrangements of 25 people who funeral directors said died during…evacuation.”

[29] Daily News, Galveston County, TX. “Evacuation death toll jumps past 30.” 9-28-2005, pp. 1, 5. Writes that “Crowder Funeral Homes, which operates three funeral homes in the county, is handling the funeral arrangements of 25 people who funeral directors said died during the evacuation…. In all, based on information gathered from the local funeral homes, 36 Galveston County residents died during the storm evacuation.”

[30] We do not question thirty-six Galveston County deaths as reported mostly by funeral home directors. We believe, however, that the great majority of these deaths occurred outside the county and are thus noted elsewhere.

[31] “In Texas City, between Galveston and Houston, a man in his 60s fell and broke his leg while apparently preparing for the storm two days before landfall. He was a large man, unable to get up, and suffocated, said John Florence, chief investigator for the Galveston County Medical Examiner.” (Stengle, Firehouse, 9-29-2005.)

[32] Bowman and Martin. “Fatalities. Death toll in county from Rita rises by 4.” Houston Chronicle, 10-2-2005. Pesca notes the young man had a pre-existing heart condition. (Pesca. “The True Death Toll from…Rita. 10-4-2005.

[33] Aulds/Viren (Daily News, Galveston County), 9-28-2005. Cite rep. of Broadway Funeral Home, Galveston.

[34] Due to “health problems.” Aulds/Viren. “Galveston County…Death Toll Now Past 30.” Daily News, 9-28-2005.

[35] Another article has age of Dr. William Howard “Bill” Clayton, as 78. (Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, pp. 1, 12.)

[36] Aulds and Viren (Daily News, Galveston County), Khou.com, 9-28-2005.

[37] Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, pp. 1, 12.

[38] Listed in Travis County (Austin) where the death occurred.

[39] Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, 1, 12; Daily News, Galveston Co. “Obituaries,” 10-1-2005; Aulds/Viren (Daily News, Galveston County), 9-28-2005 (This article notes that “…Mary Lou died of a heat stroke after being stuck in one of those jams along Interstate 10…” Undoubtedly one of the two 72-year-old female evacuees dying in Harris County noted by NCDC Storm Data.

[40] Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, pp. 1, 12.

[41] Kingwood is mostly in Harris County, but a portion is in Montgomery County. The article dies not state in which county the death occurred. The NCDC does not note an 81 year-old evacuee fatality in Harris County among its listing of 34 fatalities. It does note the death of an 81 year-old male in Montgomery County.

[42] Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, pp. 1, 12.

[43] This represents the (1) 34 deaths in the NCDC Storm Events Database for evacuation-related deaths, (2) the Sep 20 rather mysterious case of “woman found dead on a sidewalk three days before Rita hit land” (attributed by “Harris County officials” as attributable to the storm, and (3) the Sep 27 death of a 73-year-old Texas City man after his transfer from a nursing home there to one in Houston. There is no 73-year-old man death in the NCDC listing.

[44] “With more than two-thirds of Harris County’s Hurricane Rita deaths involving seniors, most trying to evacuate, local officials are acknowledging their disaster plans need to do more to ensure the safety of the frail and elderly. The deaths – 22 of 35 documented so far in a medical examiner’s report that doesn’t include 23 killed in a bus fire – stand in contrast to Florida, which last year evacuated 10,000 nursing-home and assisted-living residents because of four hurricanes. Not a single such evacuee died according to state records.”

[45] Searched for all “Type C” and “Type Z” results, finding 34 evacuation deaths listed under “Heat” category. Text:  “There were at least 34 indirect fatalities before, during and after Hurricane Rita. The majority of these fatalities occurred during the evacuation prior to Rita and were the result of excessive heat and transporting the elderly.”

[46] There are two 91-year-old woman listed as “Other” deaths. We believe it is probable that one of these refers to:  “La Marque resident Mary Lou Bourgeois, 92, became another Rita evacuation victim when she reluctantly joined her family fleeing via clogged I-10…. After about 12 hours on the road Thursday…only as far as west Houston — the elderly woman began having difficulty breathing. She then lost consciousness. She died Friday at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital.” Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily…” 9-29-2005. Though this report has age as 92, we have seen other reports of her age as 91.

[47] We believe this to be a reference to: “Comodoro Naranjo, 65, died Tuesday [Sep 27] at Tomball Regional Hospital after becoming unresponsive, with a body temperature of 108 degrees, inside a vehicle.” (Bowman and Martin. “Fatalities…” Houston Chronicle, 10-2-2005.)

[48] We believe this to be a reference to: “Maria Tamez, 72, of Houston, died Tuesday at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, following a car crash. A semi-truck struck the ambulance that was returning her to Houston from San Antonio.” (Bowman and Martin. “Fatalities…” Houston Chronicle, 10-2-2005.)

[49] Possible reference to: “Guy McDuffie, 66, of Port Neches…died Wednesday at Methodist Hospital. He had been transferred there from a hospital in Jasper after being found unresponsive in a recreational vehicle with a body temperature of 108 degrees.” (Bowman / Martin. “Fatalities. Death toll in county…” Chronicle, 10-2-2005.)

[50] According to article, Harris County officials reported this as one of 33 deaths attributable to the storm.

[51] Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, pp. 1, 12. It is possible that this death is one of those in the NCDC listing, with one or the other source getting the age incorrect.

[52] NWS WFO, Lake Charles, LA. Hurricane Rita. “Preliminary Storm Report…”1-25-2006; Knabb. Tropical… Rpt …Rita. 2006, p.8; Bloomberg. “Rita’s Death Toll…” 9-26-2005; KATC, Beaumont TX. “Sixth person dies after [CO] poisoning at apartment.” 10-3-2005; “Five people were found dead inside an apartment complex in Beaumont Monday morning. Police suspect the victims died of carbon monoxide poisoning after a generator was used inside their apartment. A man, woman, and three children were among the victims. A relative found the bodies, plus three survivors who are in critical condition.” (KSLA News 12, Shreveport, LA and AP. “Hurricane Rita – Latest.” 2005.) Emery Reese, Jr., 9; Crystal Farr, 12; DeMarcus Bean, 9; Alia Bean, 7; Diane Bean, 25; Billy Coleman, 47. (Bowman and Martin. “Fatalities. Death toll in county from Rita rises by 4.” Houston Chronicle, 10-2-2005.)

[53] Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, pp. 1, 12.

[54] NCDC. Storm Events Database, Liberty, which lists as “direct” deaths; KSLA News 12, Shreveport, LA; AP, “Hurricane Rita – Latest News.” 2005; Knabb. Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Rita. 2006, p. 8.

[55] Cites Madison Co. Judge Cecil Neely as attributing five Madison Co. deaths to the evacuation, including these.

[56] “Sugar Land [Harris County] resident Michael Alexander, 51, and his children, Omar, 11, and Amal, 8, were killed Sunday when their auto struck an I-45 median near Madisonville and overturned. The three, none of whom had worn seat belts, were ejected. The family was returning from Arlington, where it had sought shelter from Rita.

[57] Cites Madison County Judge Cecil N. Neely. (Stengle. “Number of Deaths Related to…” Firehouse, 9-29-2005.)

[58] “Deaths were all associated with the evacuation for Hurricane Rita, both before and after Rita’s arrival. Rita made landfall just east of the Texas/Louisiana border early Saturday morning, September 24^th.” NCDC.

[59] All were indirect – ten evacuation related and “3 carbon monoxide poisoning with no electricity in the home.” NCDC Storm Events Database. Event Details…Hurricane (Typhoon)…Texas…Montgomery…09/23-24/2005.

[60] We think this is a reference to: Alice L. Clay, who was in traffic on I-45 near The Woodlands and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital there [St. Luke’s Hospital, The Woodlands, is in Montgomery County] where she died. (Aulds, T. J., and Sarah Viren. “Galveston County Evacuation Death Toll Now Past 30.” Daily News (TX), 9-28-2005.) Death-Record.com notes date of death of Alice L. Clay of Bacliff, TX as Sep 22, and age as 68.

[61] Assuming this is one of three carbon monoxide poisoning deaths.

[62] “…Dean Michael Kirk, 44, and Katherine M. Forrer, 43, were found dead in their New Caney home Wednesday. They were running a portable generator inside because of power outages, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.” (Cindy Horswell. “New Caney couple running generator die.” Houston Chronicle, 9-29-2005.)

[63] Katherine M. Forrer (see previous footnote.

[64] Although the Houston Chronicle noted ten deaths in Polk County, we have not been able to verify any. A Knight Ridder Newspapers report from Livingston, Polk County, dated Sep 26, features County Judge John Thompson and notes a number of hurricane-related issues and problems as to the initial evacuation of populations from the south into and through the county and then back home again, including sheltering thousands of the evacuees (though this was not pre-planned), but does not mention a single hurricane-related death in the county.

[65] NCDC. Storm Events Database, San Jacinto; Knabb. Tropical Cyclone Report. Hurricane Rita. 2006, p. 8.

[66] Jamie Stengle. “Number of Deaths Related to Rita Difficult to Determine.” Firehouse, 9-29-2005.

[67] Mr. Basaldu was transferred to an Austin hospital during the evacuation. Cited are “officials with Malloy and Son Funeral Homes.” Aulds/Viren. “Galveston County Evacuation Death Toll…Past 30.” Daily News, 9-28-2005.

[68] Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, pp. 1, 12.

[69] We have been able to substantiate only one Waller County hurricane-related death.

[70] “Shirley Holguin of Seabrook had tried to arrange an ambulance evacuation for her mother, Maggie Weikleenget, 78, who has had multiple strokes and has been bedridden since 1999. The ambulance never came…Holguin and her son loaded Weikleenget in the family car and started driving west. Weikleenget died along the way, in Waller County.” (Ackerman/Markley. “Officials Admit Better Plans Needed…Frail.” Houston Chronicle, 9-30-2005.)

[71] “They were all on the freeway, all in stalled traffic, most of them were running their cars without air conditioning,” stated Walker Co. Justice of the Peace Amy Bradley. (Stengle. “Number of Deaths Related to Rita Difficult to Determine.” Firehouse, 9-29-2005.) A very similarly written report is: Associated Press report, “Early measures show more died before Rita struck,” Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 9-30-3005. The AP report adds, from Justice of the Peace Bradley, “Who’s to say whether they would have died at home.”

[72] Aulds and Viren (Daily News, Galveston County), Khou.com, 9-28-2005. It is not crystal clear that Mr. Clayton made it to Huntsville: “Former Galveston City Councilman William Clayton…died during the evacuation after being transferred from a long-term care facility in Galveston to a center in Huntsville.”

[73] After noting deaths in other counties, while going county-by-county, including deaths associated wit the evacuation for Rita, “both before and after Rita’s arrival,” writes, at page 2, “In Walker County, tropical storm force winds with gusts to near hurricane force were observed. Damage was mainly to fences, roofs and mobile homes and totaled approximately $1.5 million.

[74] Knabb. Tropical Cyclone Report…Rita. 2006, p. 8 (listed as a “direct” death); identification as a male killed when his mobile home was overturned from Tornado Project, “Tornadoes in the Past…2005…September 24, 2005.

[75] NCDC. Storm Events Database; Knabb. Tropical Cyclone Report. Hurricane Rita. 2006, p. 8.

[76] Assuming this is one of three carbon monoxide poisoning deaths.

[77] “…Dean Michael Kirk, 44, and Katherine M. Forrer, 43, were found dead in their New Caney home Wednesday. They were running a portable generator inside because of power outages, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.” (Cindy Horswell. “New Caney couple running generator die.” Houston Chronicle, 9-29-2005.)

[78] Katherine M. Forrer (see previous footnote.

[79] Wikipedia. “Hurricane Rita,” has this as a beach drowning. WJHG News writes: “At Pensacola Beach, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office says witnesses saw a man walk out of the surf, then collapse as he turned back toward the water. An autopsy has been scheduled.” WJHG News Channel 7, Panama City Beach, FL. “Two Swimmers Die, More Than a Dozen Rescued off Panhandle Beaches,” 9-26-2005.

[80] Listed here in that the child did not die as a direct consequence of the storm, but as a consequence of evacuation.

[81] There are two 91-year-old woman listed as “Other” deaths. We believe it is probable that one of these refers to:  “La Marque resident Mary Lou Bourgeois, 92, became another Rita evacuation victim when she reluctantly joined her family fleeing via clogged I-10…. After about 12 hours on the road Thursday…only as far as west Houston — the elderly woman began having difficulty breathing. She then lost consciousness. She died Friday at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital.” Houston Chronicle. “Exodus weighs heavily…” 9-29-2005. Has age as  92.

[82] Possible reference to: “Guy McDuffie, 66, of Port Neches…died Wednesday at Methodist Hospital. He had been transferred there from a hospital in Jasper after being found unresponsive in a recreational vehicle with a body temperature of 108 degrees.” (Bowman / Martin. “Fatalities. Death toll in county…” Chronicle, 10-2-2005.)

[83] Daily News, Galveston Co., TX. “At least five county residents died during evacuation.” 9-27-2005, pp. 1, 12. It is possible that this death is one of those in the NCDC listing, with one or the other source getting the age incorrect.

[84] We think this is a reference to: Alice L. Clay, who was in traffic on I-45 near The Woodlands and taken to St. Luke’s Hospital there [St. Luke’s Hospital, The Woodlands, is in Montgomery County] where she died. (Aulds, T. J., and Sarah Viren. “Galveston County Evacuation Death Toll Now Past 30.” Daily News (TX), 9-28-2005.) Death-Record.com notes date of death of Alice L. Clay of Bacliff, TX as Sep 22, and age as 68.

[85] Aulds and Viren (Daily News, Galveston County), Khou.com, 9-28-2005. It is not crystal clear that Mr. Clayton made it to Huntsville: “Former Galveston City Councilman William Clayton…died during the evacuation after being transferred from a long-term care facility in Galveston to a center in Huntsville.”

[86] Noting five evacuation-related deaths in this county, Stengle writes “They were all on the freeway, all in stalled traffic, most…were running their cars without air conditioning.” Cites Walker County Justice of the Peace Amy Bradley.) We have been able to identify one such death.

[87] “Maria Tamez, 72, of Houston, died Tuesday at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital, following a car crash. A semi-truck struck the ambulance that was returning her to Houston from San Antonio.” (Bowman and Martin. “Fatalities…” Houston Chronicle, 10-2-2005.)

[88] Cross-listed in Evacuation-Related.

[89] Stengle, citing Madison Co. Judge Cecil Neely, attributes five Madison Co. deaths to the evacuation. We have identified four.