Ike

[wackyjacky1]

Yeah, Ike is a big sucker. Looks like S.A. is going to get spared, though. Riding home after work this afternoon, the traffic was awful -- a lot of the evacuees have come here.

[Aggie_Ama]

Yeah, Ike is a big sucker. Looks like S.A. is going to get spared, though. Riding home after work this afternoon, the traffic was awful -- a lot of the evacuees have come here.

We have a lot of evacuees in Austin right now, I asked my husband if any of his friends were here but he didn't know. His college roommate lives in the Beaumont area but his sister is here, I assume he is here. He also has some friends in Palacios, haven't heard from any of them but I am guessing they found somewhere safe.

Looks like we will be dry and just crowded here.

[andtckrtoo]

Thoughts and prayers to all in yIkes way.

[sundial]

He also has some friends in Palacios, haven't heard from any of them but I am guessing they found somewhere safe.

Looks like we will be dry and just crowded here.

Palacious--hmmmmm. That's where I went to church camp. The mosquitoes carried us off every night.

Aggie, if you get too crowded, come to Arkansas and we can do some hills together.

[makbike]

I hope all who left took their pets with them and all are out of harms way.

[wackyjacky1]

My best friend and her family live in the Sixth Ward in Houston. They decided not to evacuate for Ike. They evacuated for Rita, and that turned out to be a total PITA (and ultimately unnecessary) so they didn't want to go through that hassle again. Needless to say I am quite worried about them!

[DrBadger]

I am in the Montrose area of Houston, just west of downtown (for those of you who know the area). My friend Amie and I didn't evacuate as the officials here told us to shelter in place. We are out of flood zones, and have lots of water and food....though it is looking like we will be only about 13 miles from the eye when it goes over Houston, though we will be on the good side of the storm, and are 60 miles inland, so will not get the brunt of what Galveson is seeing.

winds are picking up and rain should be starting soon....we are hoping to have power through most of the night, but are expecting to lose power at some point. I will check in as soon as I have power and internet again... here's to hoping it is quickly!

Ellen (aka DrBadger)

[salsabike]

Oh, thank you for the update, Dr.B. We too have relatives in Houston, and I'm also glad to know you're relatively safe.

[bmccasland]

N.O. - the flood gate was closed on one of the shipping channels, otherwise, it's just VERY gusty around here.

I've was "given the opportunity to excel" - begged into volunteering for damage survey crews by my boss. She wanted experienced staff, and I was one of the suckers who came to work today (we were given the opportunity to stay home because of the tropical storm weather). AND she sweetened the deal by committing to getting me the bonus money to pay the boarding bill for all my pets (and kept the promise when I gave her the cost estimate). I have a good boss

So tuesday after we look at the monday flight video, we'll be heading over to the southwest part of Louisiana to do damage surveys of federal property and other areas. They're expecting the storm surge to be as bad as Rita's. The only good news is that some areas haven't had time to rebuild - so maybe there won't be as much property damage.

But after working on restoration projects in that area, I know some of the locals, and I'm worried about them.

The NWS is predicting the storm surge to be 25 ft, which will overtop the 17ft breakwater on Galveston Island. Going to be a Big Ugly. For those staying behind on the island, I hope they're in storm bunkers.

[mimitabby]

just saw the news! boy, TxDoc i'm glad you got out of there, it does NOT sound pretty.

[Aggie_Ama]

I visited with my college roommate and her husband today. Her family in Katy (most western part of Houston) was fine, intermitent power issues but otherwise just like a big old thunderstorm. She said her friend is getting married in two weeks and now doesn't know what will happen. The restuarant they were having the bridal luncheon at burnt down, the same place was supposed to make the wedding favors. Her reception venue and church may be flooded due to the location but her family is okay.

My friend's husband said his parents were on a scheduled trip to Kansas. His brother and sister were home in Cleveland (NE Houston) and were without power and lost many trees. They wished after that they had left. They do have generators but expect to be without power for 2 weeks. But they are okay and so are his nieces and nephews.

Unfortunately it looks like there will be a high death toll but I am hoping I am VERY wrong about that. Just a lot people stayed and the flooding. Keep praying for all who did not evacuate and those who will head back to clean up.

[Triskeliongirl]

We were spared here in San Antonio, worst was some wind on commute ride home yesterday. But Galveston was hit hard as everyone knows. So, I am spending my day prepping my house to host a family from Galveston. They hunkered down in Sugarland for the storm (~60 miles inland), as they wanted to be close enough to assess damage, but then said they would probably come here if they were going to be without power, etc. for an extended period. That seems to be the best case scenario at this point. I am also waiting to hear from a friend in Houston. I imagine he is without power and phone, as no word yet.

Houston/Galveston/Beumont area TE sisters, how are you??

[wackyjacky1]

Yeah, Ike was a total non-event here in S.A. I can't stand weathercasters -- you wouldn't believe how they hyped this storm here. A friend who works at Home Depot said people were panic-buying plywood, etc., so they could board up their homes. After all that, we didn't get a drop of rain, and only the merest puff of a breeze. Weathercasters don't know any more about the weather than you or I would know by sticking our head out the window and having a look around.

My friend in Houston said they had heavy wind and rain, but the power stayed on, and everybody is just fine. Whew.