Ike

[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.

[sundial]

Ike came to pay Arkansas a visit early this morning. The winds were scary--55-60 mph! The windows and the roof creaked and I was so afraid we'd lose something in the storm. A tornado touched down briefly in central Arkansas and there was 1 fatality. But overall, we are very fortunate and I only hope there are not many fatalities in Galveston.

[tulip]

I have family in the Beaumont area, Houston, and in Lake Charles, Louisiana. We're concerned about the Beaumont folks. We haven't heard from them, but the power is still out. Thinking of them all.

[TxRider]

Checking in from the Cypress area (Northwest part of Houston) - power was just restored to our area of town this afternoon, but most of the area around us is still without it.

Friday night/Saturday morning was scary - the winds were blowing really hard and we heard a few loud "bumps" in the night when a couple of trees snapped (thankfully, they missed the house!) and part of the fence fell, but fortunately did not receive any major damage. Some of my neighbors were not so lucky and there is definitely a lot of cleanup to be done even in our yard.

To add insult to injury, we had some pretty heavy thunderstorms today which is adding to the flooding and making the cleanup and restoration of services in the area take even longer.

Something to keep in mind for those waiting to hear from family - amazingly, while in my part of town, we have power, our landline still does not work and cell service is completely unaccessible. I have to drive about 5 miles away to get any cell service which isn't the smartest thing to do with all of the debris on the road. Funny thing is, where I am able to get cell service, there is still no power - it's really very sporadic.

My parents are in the Katy area & they've had power back on since yesterday afternoon - the area was also not as heavily hit. I can only imagine what the areas to the south and east of me might look like.

[sundial]

TxRider, thanks for the update. Are you going to get around on that bike should traffic become snarled? I'm glad you are ok and I hope other families faired well in this storm.

[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.