Tonight is going to be a real anxious night. Houston is my hometown. And a lot of my family still lives within 25 miles of the coast — just east of Galveston: Liberty, Crystal Beach, Humble, Winnie, and Fannett.
My in-laws are a little further north in The Woodlands.
We all made it through Hurricane Alicia in 1983, but I think this is going to be much worse.
My parents think that their home in Liberty, just a mile or so from the Trinity River, and only 24 miles inland from Ike is supposed to hit, are certain their home will be under water by morning. My sister’s in-laws home in Crystal Beach is probably already underwater (they live just three blocks from the Gulf of Mexico, just a quick ferry ride east of Galveston.
Thankfully, most of my family is safe far from the wrath of the storm. But tonight will be an anxious night, hoping and praying that our family homes are somehow spared over the next 12-16 hours.
Right now, Ike’s approximately 60 miles off of Galveston.
You may want to check on your inlaws… My friends in the Woodlands have been without power for a while now.
We’re Houston (bordering Pearland), and rain has just started. Winds are probably touching 40 mph, here and there.
I just saw a rescue on Fox from Crystal Beach, and it was a replay from earlier.
My best friend and his boys all split yesterday from South Houston, and went to Caddo Lake. His wife had to stay. All hands on deck at her hospital in the medical district.
This is gonna be a bad one, even if it is barely staying in Cat 2 status, it is going to hit just west of Galveston Bay, and push that massive surge, along with high tide, straight up the ship channel.
As it stands, it looks like Dallas may barely get windy or wet.
If all those refineries and petro-chem plants get damaged, we are gonna be paying huge for gas for the next couple of weeks.
This is one Ike I don’t like.
KW, hope you have your hatches battened and your sheepshanks shipshape.
Thanks, N2L… I think we’re good to go. It’s a big one. I’m still hunkered in the garage, doors half down, watching the storm come in. The rest of the family have retired or watching movies. Cable’s gone.
Winds are definitely picking up. So is the Ciroc. Ike’s approximately 50 miles away from Galveston now, and the winds are really picking up.
(Did I mention the Ciroc?)
Yes you did.
I’m watching Fox, and the MyFoxHurricane website, and relaying info to my bud by phone. They may have a hard time getting home, unless they go a different way than 59. That is if they want to go home, as they could face no power for a while. He works in LaPorte.
Ike’s eye is approximately 40 miles off Galveston now. Still garage-watching, with power (thank God). Trees are hating the winds, I’d guess reaching gusts of 70-plus mph, with neighbors ready to back up the margarita machines with generators.
Parts of Pasadena are without power, and my daughter’s roof is ripping off. As soon as the eye comes, they’re running round the corner to a friend’s home.
Our neighborhood is blacking-out again.
Crap.
N2L, most surrounding areas have a curfew imposed. Depending where your friends live, they may want to seek an alternative. Fines are up to $2,000, if not immediate jailtime.
Center Point just reported 425k-plus customers without power.
Can definitely feel the hurricane coming through. Just reported 30 miles off Galveston, now with over 700k without power… Looking at days (weeks) before it’s restored.
Sorry to babble. It’s all happening so fast.
The eye is 20 miles off Galveston. New news is Brennan’s is on fire, which is a huge loss for our area.
The eye is reaching the coastline. Of all my years on here, I’m confused why we’re looking at less than an inch in rain, but an almost Cat 3 with the eye hitting the coast with winds surpassing 70mph.
The eye’s passing Galveston now. God give them rest.
It’s still not too bad here.
They eye’s about to reach here, and my two Bradford Pears (planted on Father’s Day) are officially horizontal.
It sounds like we live in the middle of a trailer park.
My cup needeth refill.
Power’s out.
Mother. Fucker.
Hold on to your hats, I’m watching the news here in the UK.
Some pictures just in looking similar to New Orleans.
I’m guessing Robbie won’t hold the same view he did when Katrina hit New Orleans?
Maybe he’ll want as many tax dollars as possible to be spent on rebuilding beloved Texas?
Jonny
[y2l] How much further is New Orleans Robbie?
[Robbie] Shut up, just keep on swimming y2l!
As usual, the euroweenies never miss a chance to act like assholes.
Dang! I was hoping the Mr Redneck would have been blown away by now.
Oh well, there’s always next time.
Jonny
I guess this is the problem with right wing commentators.
) after such a storm and now it’s in your back yard, you’re gonna have to back track or make yourself look like a hypocrite.
A couple of weeks ago it was fine to talk about not wanting federal taxes to go rebuilding New Orleans (I wonder why!
That said, I hope all your friends and family members are safe through this an I hope the damage is kept to a minimum.
Jonny
We had a tornado last night a couple of blocks from my house here in De Soto, Kansas. Torn up huge old trees which landed on a couple of barns and houses (including the house we first lived in when we moved here). A wall cloud came down and we huddled in the basement. Looks like we were lucky, but still very scary.
To my friends in Texas, stay safe !
Jonny,
The problem with New Orleans is that it has been 3 years and they still don’t have their act together. Why should more money go to them? New Orleans should be called New York City of the South. As far as Texas I know my relatives (I’m Robbie’s brother in-law) will NOT be looking for a hand out from the federal govt. they will be out picking up their yards and put their homes back together, then they will help their neighbors. There will not be looting, mainly due to the fact the authorites will not take away a persons right to carry, and trust me there will be plenty carrying. And they will not be afraid to protect their property. Hope you have a nice dry day.
Rich
Thanks Rich — I was going to point the same thing out. Texans will be out rebuilding the moment the storm has passed.
The problem is that before Katrina hit NO, it was already a welfare state existing almost entirely on handouts. They expected others to save them from Katrina, rebuild their city for them, and continue to provide for them afterward too.
Not so in Texas.
How are you guys doing up there in Shreveport? Looks like the storm is about to nail you guys, too.
A lot of high winds here in Huntsville overnight. Some small limb damage and I noticed a few fences were blown over in the neighborhood. Overall, we came through the first part of the storm OK. The electricity only went out once, but came back within a minute.
Currently, what is left of the center of Ike is passing over us. Winds are very light and no driving rain. The backside of the storm will probably hit us soon.
It’s good to see the storm hasn’t created the damage, once feared, though it’s far from spent. There could be a lot of flooding with all of the rain, and I sure wouldn’t want to be near the south end of the dam at Livingston. Also, if the ground gets saturated, and the winds are still high, there will be a whole bunch of tall pines toppling.
On the bright side, Texans will be reminded of the decency of their neighbors, and the kindness of strangers, when it all gets picked up and put back in order. Also, East Texas will be even greener than ever, and the fall harvest should be abundant.
NEW ORLEANS — Mayor Ray Nagin is rolling out the welcome mat for Texans seeking shelter from Hurricane Ike.
In a reversal of fortunes, thousands of Texas residents are headed across the state line as the storm — expected make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane — bears down on Galveston and neighboring communities.
No shelters are open in New Orleans, but Nagin said thousands of hotel rooms are available to accommodate evacuees.
Good Ole Ray wants us to come and spend money on his empty motel rooms, how nice. Yeah Jakuass, I see your point. No amount of suffering should escape comment.
Hold on to your hats, I’m watching the news here in the UK.
Some pictures just in looking similar to New Orleans.
I’m guessing Robbie won’t hold the same view he did when Katrina hit New Orleans? I also hope that not another single dollar of federal taxes goes to rebuild this city. Again. This city under the water line is always another hurricane season away from total submersion. Let mother nature have it.
Maybe he’ll want as many tax dollars as possible to be spent on rebuilding beloved Texas?
Jonny
Sorry JonJon, we still live in a place of real men, real women, real responsibility.
To the people down there, speedy recovery…
I understand how you feel….most of my relatives live in Brazoria county…..and most were staying put.
Here in College Station, we’re on the west side of Ike and currently straight west of the eye (judging from radar)
Not too bad so far.
(crossing fingers)
Still have power.
Winds haven’t picked up enough to bring in wind chimes.
My BIL lives in west Houston….almost in Katy.
His house is intact, but he lost power and his wooden backyard fence is totally gone.
Hey, I’m the first to give someone a kick up the ass if they think they can sit around and drink beer all day on MY hard earned taxes, but you can’t ignore people when then need help surely?
Good for you guys for going out and rebuilding, that’s a very honorable thing to do – although it does sound like a scene straight out of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers!
All I’m saying is, you shouldn’t kick people when they’re down.
Blame your government if they allow a whole city to sit on their asses all year while other people pay for it, but don’t deny them the right to have help after the event.
Anyway, more importantly it looks like Ike isn’t having the effect it was feared this morning.
Good luck all those in it’s path.
Jonny
Oh, stfu already!
Still around redneck? I hoped you’d be blown away.
Jonny
If I ever hear of a terrorist bomb going off in the UK, I’ll hope you are blown away. Once again, you hijack a thread, imply people are racists, and give your unsolicited idiotic and patronizing advice on subjects you know nothing about.
See, unlike you (you being a redneck), there do seem to be people in Texas who can actually ‘talk’ to people. I fully appreciate ‘Richard’s post, and to be honest, it made a lot of sense.
You see, that’s how it works. Differing opinions, a respect to hear people out, and maybe even take some of it on board.
You on the other hand are beyond help. Hence why you should have been blown away with the wind.
Jonny
Jonny,
Another state that hasn’t sought a government handout and those classy looking FEMA trailors is Iowa. Those people are another example of strength and telling the government to get out of the way.
Also, New Orleans is built like a big cereal bowl. The water naturally gravitates to it. It keeps getting rebuilt at the taxpayer expense, but they won’t ever be able to really secure it – no matter how strong the levees are.
***********
My brother in Cinco (Katy) lost power at 6 p.m. last night. He and his family have about 10 relatives and their pets from Clear Lake staying with them. My mom, also in Katy, didn’t lose power until 5:30 this morning…they can’t call out on their cell phones, but I can call in and usually get through. Screens blown off, some shingles lost, trees and limbs down and wind very loud, but safe and alive.
Fair point Pam.
Something has to be done at some stage though, otherwise the water will come further in every time.
Jonny
See, unlike you (you being a redneck), there do seem to be people in Texas who can actually ‘talk’ to people. I fully appreciate ‘Richard’s post, and to be honest, it made a lot of sense.
Maybe, Richard hasn’t seen you repeatedly call people racist. It’s usually the first thing out of your stupid mouth no matter what the topic. Then there’s your attacks on our servicemen and police. Fortunately, they get deleted but I’m sure Richard would find those fascinating, too.
You on the other hand are beyond help. Hence why you should have been blown away with the wind.
You’re an arrogant and idiotic english twit. Hence why you should be blown away by C4 with added homemade shrapnel by the terrorists you idiots can’t seem to convict, keep in prison, or deport.
NO is a death trap. Can’t survive a hurricane with any surge without going under, and full of people without the means to leave. I don’t think anyone that doesn’t have their hand out wants to see it rebuilt, again and again and again. Hopefully there will come a point where the gov quits.
Houston on the other hand, even at the worse, was sure their bayous and drainage would work. Yes, some flooding, but nothing like NO.
It makes me proud to be a Texan American when I read the posts of the home owners effected by Ike ready to repair, and rebuild, and the storm isn’t even out of their area yet. WOW, that is amazing.
British yob:
You can hear it now: when we Texans (and Americans for that matter) want your advice in this situation, we will ask for it. Those chirping crickets you hear are the sound of us not asking.
If you consult your history book you’ll find that we are not British subjects, having fought and won a revolution against your poxy King, and then whipped you again 30 years later when you had a difficult time understanding the point.
And if you will read further in said history book, you will find a majority of the problems affecting the world today originate from the British — from the mess in sub-Saharan Africa, to Afghanistan, to Palestine, to Iraq, to Cyprus, to Afghanistan, to Pakistan, and to India.
It will be a long, cold day in Hell when we take advice from an arrogant idiot from an arrogant nation that introduced Black African slavery to the New World, ethnic cleansing, and has surrended to Shari’a law and political correctness. We have no desire to follow in the footsteps of the most racist, imperialistic empire to stain this Earth.
We survived!
Still no power, but we’re sharing a generator with the neighbor so we’re able to run the fridge, fans, and a tv.
Three trees were ripped from the yard, and we had substantial damage to the roof causing quite a bit of water to come in and do its damage. Also lost part of our shed.
We just finished (temporarily) patching the roof, with help from another neighbor and his two sons.
Tonite, I’m going to grill streaks and invite them all over in appreciation of their generousity and hard work.
Hopefully it won’t take two weeks to regain power!
Hope those of you or your loved ones affected by Ike are all right!
Another redneck enters the arena.
Just sharing an opinion Steve.
You know we are able to do that in this free world of ours.
I love your idea of looking through the history books to make you look good – shame you stop short of modern history and your countries inability to keep within their own border.
“Sniff….sniff…… That Oil I can smell? INVADE!!!!!”
You’re a laughing stock and it’s a sad affair we don’t turn 180 degrees and focus more on Europe than go along with what you powermongers are doing to the world.
The good thing about history, is that it’s history….. you know, not now. I can’t make excuses for the Raj or the British Empire all those years ago, but I can comment and take a stand with current affairs.
It’s a shame you think it’s fine to invade countries for money, or support guerilla warfare to enable the overthrow of political bodies you don’t like. It’s a shame you support the idea of locking people up without trial. It’s a shame you are so backward in your outlook in a modern world that you still see yourselves in a struggle against the rest of the world. Hey, you started it – maybe you should keep those gun tooting attitudes in your pants in future?
But it’s a good thing your that side of the ocean. It’s a good thing your mommies brain wash you with Fox so you think you have a purpose and it’s a good thing I don’t have to deal with you on a day to day basis.
But hey, just my opinions. I could be wrong.
Jonny
With your long and undistinguished history, you have no moral authority or high horse to speak out against America. Your “Fox News” taunts are pointless, as is your little jab about viewing the outside world. I’ve been to six continents and dozens of countries, and it does nothing but reinforce my love for America and its freedoms. I could care less what some overweight, uneducated loser Brit thinks of my country.
Here’s the future of the United Kingdom. Adios, you limey bitch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uylTqU_2Frc
Free speech in Britain? Not bloody likely.
If you and the rest of Europe are so against us, then take us on. Much like in 1781 and 1814, you’d be whipped like the miserable curs you are.
More on the UK descending into mob rule:
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/cleared-jury-decides-that-threat-of-global-warming-justifies-breaking-the-law-925561.html
Enjoy it, future dhimmi.
You’re Xenophobic Steve, that’s what it is…. I got it.
No worries.
Jonny
Oh dear. You do know where you came from don’t you?
Jonny
Yes, Scots-Irish. From stock smart enough to leave that cesspool called Europe and enjoy being a CITIZEN and not a SUBJECT.
Scots-Irish too Steve.
Although I had the sense to come back to the homeland.
Jonny
Not just me who sees it this way Steve. (CLICK)
It’s global.
Jonny
Steve, good try man, but jonjon is just a troll that has an audience, he knows but he does not care. his sticky little fingers continue to type, his only entertainment beyond peeping.
O-Kay this is a thread about the spirit of Texas. I live in the best place on earth.