Ike

[Aurora63]

Anyone else starting to feel a little nervous???

[lewdyan1]

It's making me a little concerned, but I am hopeful since it is still pretty far away.

[RitaZ.]

Yeah, we're concerned. :scared:

[lucas]

Yeah, we're concerned. :scared:

Me too! :eek:

[Savsmommy]

I'm just south of West Palm Beach. We are definitely keeping our eye on this one.

[TigerKat]

I'm sitting in a hotel room in Hattiesburg MS waiting for my power to be restored from Gustav and I'm thinking we may be on the road again next week...:sad2:

[RitaZ.]

I'm sitting in a hotel room in Hattiesburg MS waiting for my power to be restored from Gustav and I'm thinking we may be on the road again next week...:sad2:

:hug: Have you been allowed to return or are you waiting until the power is restored?

I haven't checked Ike's track since 5. Is it taking a turn toward the Gulf now?

[lucas]

http://tribunewx.wunderground.com/data/images/at200809_model.gif

[RitaZ.]

Here is the one from Skeetobite.

http://www.skeetobiteweather.com/archive/model/AL092008mlts.gif?205511901

[Camping Cat]

http://weather.wwltv.com/auto/wwltv/tropical/tracking/at200809_5day.html

[old lady]

I am more afraid of earthquakes:guilty: .

[crazyforgoofy]

The most harm Ike can do to me is some rain and possibly a delayed flight into Orlando on Wednesday. The rest of you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Go away IKE!!

[DVC Sadie]

We are watching IKE carefully and hope he does not change course at the last minute as a lot of hurricanes tend to do.

I just don't want to go through another hurricane right now.

[Ariel Wanna-be]

I CANNOT do this again, so soon.

http://www.esl.lsu.edu/quicklinks/hurricanes/2008/nine/images/Storm-09-Spaghetti.gif

[Gina]

We're definitely getting nervous here. Normally I would just say that the models will keep changing and that we have a whole week, but this is unusual for nearly all the models to be so in agreement this far out. And also worrying me is that it's the NHC forecast that has Ike coming straight to our front doors here, and they have been pretty much dead-on this season.

A long week of nail-biting ahead...

[TigerKat]

I am not ready for this again, just got home Saturday.:sad2:

[Ariel Mae]

I CANNOT do this again, so soon.

http://www.esl.lsu.edu/quicklinks/hurricanes/2008/nine/images/Storm-09-Spaghetti.gif


Yeah. I agree. I don't think my mentality can handle this.

[yankeechick]

im also worried:eek: my 3 yo dd keeps saying it's coming here and we are going to have to live somewhere elese:scared1:

[Jenvenza]

I am getting nervous about this one as well. We lived in Beaumont when Rita hit and I do not want to have to go through that again. I never used to worry about hurricanes, because we were never hit hard by one, so I just didnt get it - until Rita hit. Now they scare me to death.

[yankeechick]

i hope everybody stays safe:grouphug: i just hope im not going to be stuck in traffic for 22 hrs again!!!

[Jenvenza]

i hope everybody stays safe:grouphug: i just hope im not going to be stuck in traffic for 22 hrs again!!!


Rita evacuation I presume? Yes, that was loads of fun, wasnt it?

[yankeechick]

you guessed it!

[TigerKat]

Rita evacuation I presume? Yes, that was loads of fun, wasnt it?

Last weekend wasn't quite that bad, took us 10 hours to go 120 miles. Contraflow on I-59 was a parking lot.:sad2:

[Jenvenza]

Last weekend wasn't quite that bad, took us 10 hours to go 120 miles. Contraflow on I-59 was a parking lot.:sad2:


Eek - That still sucks - but not as bad I guess. 59 is slow any day of the week, I cannot even imagine it in an evacuation. We got lucky with Rita and left before most people did. It only took us 7 hours for a normally 4 hour trip.

[Tiggerlover91]

Good luck everyone. Looks like he's coming in a 2, but that's still nothing to mess around with. :hug:

[Jenvenza]

Anyone have an updated spaghetti chart? I am not sure where to find them. They are started to evacuate in counties close to us.

[TigerKat]

Anyone have an updated spaghetti chart? I am not sure where to find them. They are started to evacuate in counties close to us.

Stay safe.:hug:

[Camping Cat]

Anyone have an updated spaghetti chart? I am not sure where to find them. They are started to evacuate in counties close to us.

Here's a link.

http://www.skeetobiteweather.com/picservice.asp?t=m&m=09&av=20089611

[Gina]

I would be very wary of the models posted on public sites, for several reasons. They were initialized using data less recent than what is out now, for one, but the biggest reason is because none of the models forecast the huge slow down/near-stall that Ike is doing currently. This could have HUGE implications on the track and landfall, as slowing down will give the trough enough time to pull Ike more northward and closer to us. It's going to be bad, even with a landfall near Matagorda -- but one closer to Freeport would be disastrous.

Look at how little Ike is moving:

http://www.meteo.psu.edu/~gadomski/SATRAPID/anim16ir.html


Many decisions are being made today... Be safe, everyone in Ike's path!

[Shutterbug]

NHC's 2 pm advisory has Ike already restrengthed back up to a Cat 2


and estimates have Ike coming in as a Cat 3:

http://icons-pe.wunderground.com/data/images/at200809.gif

[TigerKat]

I am still very worried.:guilty:

[Jenvenza]

I would be very wary of the models posted on public sites, for several reasons. They were initialized using data less recent than what is out now, for one, but the biggest reason is because none of the models forecast the huge slow down/near-stall that Ike is doing currently. This could have HUGE implications on the track and landfall, as slowing down will give the trough enough time to pull Ike more northward and closer to us. It's going to be bad, even with a landfall near Matagorda -- but one closer to Freeport would be disastrous.

Look at how little Ike is moving:

http://www.meteo.psu.edu/~gadomski/SATRAPID/anim16ir.html


Many decisions are being made today... Be safe, everyone in Ike's path!


Yes, I am getting a little nervous about this now. My parents live in Beaumont - I wonder if it does hit by Matagorda if Beaumont would be far enough away to evacuate to??

[Gina]

Yes, I am getting a little nervous about this now. My parents live in Beaumont - I wonder if it does hit by Matagorda if Beaumont would be far enough away to evacuate to??


Not with the way the models are trending. The latest GFDL that just came out has Ike coming in right at Galveston Bay. And with the way they keep trending east, this storm could end up in Beaumont, easy. I would go north, if you go anywhere! You'll still have a ton of rain and some pretty good winds, but not as bad as near the coast (if that's where you are.)

[TigerKat]

Yes, I am getting a little nervous about this now. My parents live in Beaumont - I wonder if it does hit by Matagorda if Beaumont would be far enough away to evacuate to??

Have they issued evacuation orders there?

[Jenvenza]

Have they issued evacuation orders there?

Not for Houston or Beaumont - but they have ordered voluntary evacuations for Brazoria County - which is south of Houston - Galveston and that area.

[Jenvenza]

Not with the way the models are trending. The latest GFDL that just came out has Ike coming in right at Galveston Bay. And with the way they keep trending east, this storm could end up in Beaumont, easy. I would go north, if you go anywhere! You'll still have a ton of rain and some pretty good winds, but not as bad as near the coast (if that's where you are.)

I am in Houston - my friend says I am far enough inland, but having gone through Rita, I dont want to take any chances!

[TigerKat]

Why don't you head to Disney a bit early?:goodvibes

[Camping Cat]

Gosh, I hope this is it for the busiest part of the season. My greatest hope is that no more storms threaten the gulf coast this year.

[TigerKat]

Gosh, I hope this is it for the busiest part of the season. My greatest hope is that no more storms threaten the gulf coast this year.

:thumbsup2

[Jenvenza]

Why don't you head to Disney a bit early?:goodvibes

I wish I could!! I wouldnt mind that at all!:thumbsup2

[Jenvenza]

I just saw a new model out and now two spaghetti lines are going right through Galveston and Houston.

[TigerKat]

I just saw a new model out and now two spaghetti lines are going right through Galveston and Houston.

:sad2:

[Gina]

The latest discussion that just came out is making me feel even more nervous. If I'm understanding the dynamics correctly, they expect the track to shift even closer to us -- and then Ike will be influenced by the building ridge and turned more WNW. A high cat 3/low 4 coming right up Galveston Bay is the stuff of nightmares for us.

Here's the discussion:


000
WTNT44 KNHC 102050
TCDAT4
HURRICANE IKE DISCUSSION NUMBER 39
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL092008
500 PM EDT WED SEP 10 2008


THE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT DATA SHOW THAT IKE HAS TWO WELL-DEFINED
WIND MAXIMA OF ROUGHLY EQUAL STRENGTH. THE PEAK FLIGHT-LEVEL WINDS
OF 93 KT WERE FOUND IN A BAND ABOUT 90 NM EAST OF THE CENTER. A
DROPSONDE WITHIN A FEW MILES OF THE CENTER REPORTED LOW-LAYER MEAN
WINDS OF 97 KT...WHICH CORRESPOND TO 82 KT AT THE SURFACE. THE
ADVISORY WINDS ARE SET TO 85 KT ON THIS BASIS. THE LARGE EXPANSE
OF HURRICANE AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXPLAINS THE APPARENT
MISMATCH BETWEEN THE PEAK WINDS AND THE CENTRAL PRESSURE.
CONDITIONS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO REMAIN FAVORABLE FOR
STRENGTHENING...INCLUDING LIGHT SHEAR AND STRONGLY DIFLUENT
UPPER-LEVEL OUTFLOW FOR THE NEXT DAY OR TWO. ON THE OTHER
HAND...RECENT NORTHWARD SHIFTS IN THE TRACK NOW SUGGEST THAT IKE
MAY ENCOUNTER A COOL EDDY IN THE CENTRAL GULF AND MISS A WARM EDDY.
NEVERTHELESS...ALL OBJECTIVE GUIDANCE NOW MAKES IKE A MAJOR
HURRICANE AND THE OFFICIAL FORECAST IS INCREASED SLIGHTLY OVER THE
PREVIOUS FORECAST. OTHER THAN INTERNAL EYEWALL DYNAMICS...WHICH
ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO FORECAST MORE THAN A FEW HOURS IN ADVANCE...I SEE
NO REASON WHY IKE SHOULD WEAKEN APPRECIABLY AS IT MOVES INTO THE
WESTERN GULF.

THE INITIAL MOTION IS 310/7. THE TRACK FORECAST PHILOSOPHY IS
BASICALLY UNCHANGED. IKE IS MOVING NORTHWEST TOWARD A WEAKNESS IN
THE SUBTROPICAL RIDGE. THIS RIDGE IS FORECAST TO BUILD IN OVER THE
NEXT DAY OR TWO...WHICH SHOULD TURN THE TRACK BACK TO THE
WEST-NORTHWEST UNTIL IKE APPROACHES A DEEP LAYER TROUGH FORECAST TO
COVER THE WESTERN UNITED STATES IN TWO DAYS. ALL GUIDANCE TURNS
IKE NORTHWARD TO VARYING DEGREES WITHIN A DAY OR SO OF PROJECTED
LANDFALL. THERE HAS BEEN A NORTHWARD SHIFT IN SOME OF THE
GUIDANCE...MOST NOTABLY THE GFDL AND GFS. IT IS TO BE EXPECTED
THAT SUBTLE CHANGES IN THE MODEL EVOLUTION OF THE WESTERN TROUGH
AND RIDGE OVER THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. WILL LEAD TO GUIDANCE FLIP
FLOPS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. WITH THAT IN MIND...THE
OFFICIAL FORECAST IS NUDGED ONLY SLIGHTLY NORTHWARD. IKE IS A VERY
LARGE HURRICANE...AND IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN LARGE AS
IT CROSSES THE GULF OF MEXICO. REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE CENTER
CROSSES THE COAST...THE EFFECTS OF IKE WILL BE FELT OVER A LARGE
AREA.

[Jenvenza]

Yeah, it is not looking good for the Galveston/Houston area at the moment. All I seem to be doing is watching reports on Ike. My sister lives in Spring and she said they wont be going anywhere no matter what - they have a generator - but I dont know! Spring isnt that far north!

[Gina]

Yeah, it is not looking good for the Galveston/Houston area at the moment. All I seem to be doing is watching reports on Ike. My sister lives in Spring and she said they wont be going anywhere no matter what - they have a generator - but I dont know! Spring isnt that far north!


Can I evac to their house? :thumbsup2 I'm in a mandatory evac zone for a cat 3 or higher. I sure hope it doesn't come to that, though!!!

[TigerKat]

Gina & Jenvenza - I'm frightened for y'all, please stay safe, try and book a room headed north.:guilty:

[Jenvenza]

Can I evac to their house? :thumbsup2 I'm in a mandatory evac zone for a cat 3 or higher. I sure hope it doesn't come to that, though!!!

A fellow Disney lover?? Come on over!! But seriously, I have no idea is Spring is even far enough north to make a difference. Now my mom is telling me to go to Beaumont, but I dont think Beaumont is out of the woods either at the moment.

[Gina]

Gina & Jenvenza - I'm frightened for y'all, please stay safe, try and book a room headed north.:guilty:


:hug: DS and I are stocked and prepared to handle a cat. 3... if it looks like it's going to be worse than that, then we'll head inland to family in Houston. Not exactly ideal, but better than being this close to the coast. It's the threat of tornadoes that scares me the most -- especially if we're in that dreaded NE quadrant of the storm.

I have so much nervous energy right now, watching and waiting -- After work I'm going to go home and get DS to help me box up anything irreplaceable to have it ready. I love where I live, but this aspect of it is a definite downside... :guilty:

[Jenvenza]

Gina & Jenvenza - I'm frightened for y'all, please stay safe, try and book a room headed north.:guilty:


Thank you. I know you know what it is like going through these things. It was almost this same time three years ago when we had to leave for Rita. We had a place to go then - now we would have to get a hotel room. But I refuse to ride these things out - not after Rita!

[Jenvenza]

Well, I am off for the evening. I am keeping my fingers crossed things dont get worse tonight. Good luck with everything Gina! And get out if you have to! :hug:

[Gina]

Well, I am off for the evening. I am keeping my fingers crossed things dont get worse tonight. Good luck with everything Gina! And get out if you have to! :hug:


Be safe, Jen!!! :hug:

[Camping Cat]

Don't wait. Make your reservations at a hotel NOW! They fill up so fast. I called almost a week before Gustav made landfall and still didn't get my first choice of city. Everything was booked up solid. You can always call and cancel if need be. As we were checking out of our hotel in Hattiesburg last Friday, I made ressies for this week just in case Ike headed our way.

[TigerKat]

:hug: DS and I are stocked and prepared to handle a cat. 3... if it looks like it's going to be worse than that, then we'll head inland to family in Houston. Not exactly ideal, but better than being this close to the coast. It's the threat of tornadoes that scares me the most -- especially if we're in that dreaded NE quadrant of the storm.

I have so much nervous energy right now, watching and waiting -- After work I'm going to go home and get DS to help me box up anything irreplaceable to have it ready. I love where I live, but this aspect of it is a definite downside... :guilty:

I'll be praying for you but again I'd like to urge you to get out, the tornado threat alone is enough.:sad1:

[TigerKat]

Thank you. I know you know what it is like going through these things. It was almost this same time three years ago when we had to leave for Rita. We had a place to go then - now we would have to get a hotel room. But I refuse to ride these things out - not after Rita!

Try and book a room now please!:sad1:

[AmazingGrace]

We had plans to go west to San Angelo this weekend. We were going to leave Saturday morning, but now we're leaving Friday afternoon.. Everybody, stay safe!!!

[Shutterbug]

Ummm have you all seen what Ike did to Cuba?
Seriously...wow! :scared1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03JU_ScZJtg

[4greatboys]

:hug: DS and I are stocked and prepared to handle a cat. 3... if it looks like it's going to be worse than that, then we'll head inland to family in Houston. Not exactly ideal, but better than being this close to the coast. It's the threat of tornadoes that scares me the most -- especially if we're in that dreaded NE quadrant of the storm.

I have so much nervous energy right now, watching and waiting -- After work I'm going to go home and get DS to help me box up anything irreplaceable to have it ready. I love where I live, but this aspect of it is a definite downside... :guilty:


Our school has already decided to close on Friday. We plan on staying too.

Alicia wasn't too bad here when she hit. If it's stronger than that we might leave but it will be a last resort. I know they say things will be better than when we left for Rita but I'm not so sure.

[4greatboys]

Our school district is now closed Thursday and Friday.

[Boston Tea Party]

Our school district is now closed Thursday and Friday.

I sure wish that ours would close, at least Friday. I've got a tree that I should have trimmed a LONG time ago... it's right near a very large window and that sucker has shallow roots. :headache:

Be safe, everyone. :goodvibes

[yankeechick]

ok im freakin out:scared: i finally found a hotel room in dallas:yay: i was on the phone for 3 hrs:sad1: well i am really getting nervous. texas just waits to long to make mandatory evacuations ,so that is why the highways are bumper to bumper and also the people who panic and freak out and leave when they don't have a mandatory evacuation.

[rickyratsmom]

I got caught (accidentally ) in hurricane Rita. That was the worst experience I have ever been through!!! We got caught because the storm was supposed to go into High Island and instead went up the Sabine River. Well by the time we realized that the storm had followed us it was late, dark and too late to go anywhere. There was also no where to go :(. So we rode the storm out in an old one room camp house in Kinder, La. It was horrible, just horrible!! So now we wait and watch and hope that we will get better information than we did with Rita. I just wish I knew if I should go, where I should go?? As for going to Beaumont bad idea that is on the bad side of the storm if it makes landfall anywhere near Houston. Trust me I know, that is where I am!!! Lets just all pray it picks a nice uninhabited area to make landfall, where the only things that get hurt are a few cactus!!

[4greatboys]

ok im freakin out:scared: i finally found a hotel room in dallas:yay: i was on the phone for 3 hrs:sad1: well i am really getting nervous. texas just waits to long to make mandatory evacuations ,so that is why the highways are bumper to bumper and also the people who panic and freak out and leave when they don't have a mandatory evacuation.

Is your part of the island on mandatory evac yet? I saw on the news the west end was.

That whole Rita fiasco is the main reason we don't want to evac. I will if the storm is a 4 or 5 but other than that I'm staying here.

[Camping Cat]

If you can, leave very early. For Gustav, we left Saturday morning around 8:30 and it only took us a little over 2 hours to get to Hattiesburg. Our neighbors left in the afternoon and it took them 5 1/2 just to get to Picayune, not nearly as far as Hattiesburg. My husband was right about leaving early....although I hate to tell him that...hehe.

[sheilarose2]

Well guys, I am in Angleton which is about 15 miles from Freeport(on the coast). My husband works at one of the plants in Freeport and he HAS to be at work at 5:30am and stay til 5:30pm-my county(Brazoria) has a mandatory evacuation by 8:00am in the morning! I don't plan on leaving with out him although I may not have a choice since I have my kids to think about. I am 80% positive that when we get back my house will be full of water and it is tearing me up right now to even think about it!!! All I can do is walk from room to room and I start to cry! The winds and rain that is predicted is unbelievable. My husband just went up to the convience store by our house to get a drink and there is a couple there that have a trailer loaded down and they have a flat with NO spare so he comes home and gets the one we have and is taking it to them and helping them change it! I dread all the we are about to go through.I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Please say prayers for all of us down here please!
Thanks!
sheilarose2

[4greatboys]

Well guys, I am in Angleton which is about 15 miles from Freeport(on the coast). My husband works at one of the plants in Freeport and he HAS to be at work at 5:30am and stay til 5:30pm-my county(Brazoria) has a mandatory evacuation by 8:00am in the morning! I don't plan on leaving with out him although I may not have a choice since I have my kids to think about. I am 80% positive that when we get back my house will be full of water and it is tearing me up right now to even think about it!!! All I can do is walk from room to room and I start to cry! The winds and rain that is predicted is unbelievable. My husband just went up to the convience store by our house to get a drink and there is a couple there that have a trailer loaded down and they have a flat with NO spare so he comes home and gets the one we have and is taking it to them and helping them change it! I dread all the we are about to go through.I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Please say prayers for all of us down here please!
Thanks!
sheilarose2



Good luck to you guys. My husband has to work tomorrow and they haven't said anything about letting them off on Friday.

[Tiggerlover91]

Yikes....good luck you guys. :hug: :grouphug:

[yankeechick]

Is your part of the island on mandatory evac yet? I saw on the news the west end was.

That whole Rita fiasco is the main reason we don't want to evac. I will if the storm is a 4 or 5 but other than that I'm staying here.

yes, i live on the west- end:scared:

[rickyratsmom]

I know how you feel, both of my sons work at plants and are first responders and cannot leave. I am so worried about them having to stay, especially my son Dihlon who has a wife and 2 little babies 26 months and 8 months, This is really scary, Rita all over again!! God bless and take care. I did what you are doing before Rita and made peace with the fact that I might be homeless. But homes are just wood and cement. It is our family that really matters. Take care of the family!! Homes can be repaired or replaced, our loved ones can't!!

[TigerKat]

I am 80% positive that when we get back my house will be full of water and it is tearing me up right now to even think about it!!! All I can do is walk from room to room and I start to cry! The winds and rain that is predicted is unbelievable. My husband just went up to the convience store by our house to get a drink and there is a couple there that have a trailer loaded down and they have a flat with NO spare so he comes home and gets the one we have and is taking it to them and helping them change it! I dread all the we are about to go through.I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Please say prayers for all of us down here please!
Thanks!
sheilarose2

I understand exactly how you're feeling. You described how I felt before we left for Gustav. My neighborhood was predicted to be under water and I just knew I was going to lose everything. God blessed us my friend, no water, no damage. I'll keep you and all in Ike's path in my prayers.:hug:

[TigerKat]

If you can, leave very early. For Gustav, we left Saturday morning around 8:30 and it only took us a little over 2 hours to get to Hattiesburg. Our neighbors left in the afternoon and it took them 5 1/2 just to get to Picayune, not nearly as far as Hattiesburg. My husband was right about leaving early....although I hate to tell him that...hehe.

This is so true everyone, leave early if you can. We left Sunday morning and it took us 10 hours to go 120 miles.

[adaygaby]

take care everyone...

I'll be leaving this afternoon.

[Shutterbug]

IKE IS A LARGE TROPICAL CYCLONE. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 115 MILES...185 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 255 MILES...410 KM.



http://www.goes.noaa.gov/GIFS/GULFVS.JPG

[Jenvenza]

Good morning guys! There is still no mandatory evacuation for my part of Houston and my work is open, so here I am. Even thought they said 100mph winds in downtown and complete power outages. All of Beaumont is under a Mandatory evacuation now - and that is where we were going to go. It looks like Galveston and Houston might take a direct hit, but this thing could do exactly what Rita did. We have family up near Dallas, so if we have to leave tonight or tomorrow we will.

They actually made me feel a little bad on the news this morning about thinking about evacuating - They said dont clog the roads and let the people who might drown leave! :scared1: Well, crap - I dont want to have that on my conscience!

We just have a 13 month old and just loved into an old house that has a BIG half dead tree in the back yard - so I dont want to be there if it comes down.

[TigerKat]

Good morning guys! There is still no mandatory evacuation for my part of Houston and my work is open, so here I am. Even thought they said 100mph winds in downtown and complete power outages. All of Beaumont is under a Mandatory evacuation now - and that is where we were going to go. It looks like Galveston and Houston might take a direct hit, but this thing could do exactly what Rita did. We have family up near Dallas, so if we have to leave tonight or tomorrow we will.

They actually made me feel a little bad on the news this morning about thinking about evacuating - They said dont clog the roads and let the people who might drown leave! :scared1: Well, crap - I dont want to have that on my conscience!

We just have a 13 month old and just loved into an old house that has a BIG half dead tree in the back yard - so I dont want to be there if it comes down.

Don't you dare feel bad, get outa there!:hug:

[4greatboys]

My zip is one under mandatory evacuation now. However I think we are still staying. We have batteries, flashlights, bread and stuff like that.

Can you freeze milk?

[Juliegirl1]

Can you freeze milk?

You can definitely freeze milk. When you go to defrost it however, it may separate and all you have to do it shake it well. Defrost it completely before drinking it too.

I'm also staying put but I am not in an evacuation zone but my neighborhood does flood and our electricity goes out if a gnat farts. :eek: It's already gone out twice this week (we must be rehearsing for Ike) but luckily only stayed out for a few minutes. I'm actually at work right now and the powers that be are debating on whether or not we should come to work tomorrow. :rolleyes:

One trick my mom taught me is to rearrange your freezer with the large items that will stay frozen longest towards the back (like turkeys and soup) and anything that will defrost quickly or go bad quicker if defrosted towards the front (like chicken breasts and bread). If the power goes out you can open the freezer and grab one thing quickly and work your way back without letting out too much of the cold air.

Don't forget to fill up your bathtubs with water too for flushing the toilets and you can always boil it if need be for cooking with. I'm lucky enough to have a gas stove but also have a camping propane grill and burner.

Good luck everyone - you are all in my prayers. :grouphug:

[TigerKat]

I'm also staying put but I am not in an evacuation zone but my neighborhood does flood and our electricity goes out if a gnat farts. :eek: It's already gone out twice this week (we must be rehearsing for Ike) but luckily only stayed out for a few minutes. I'm actually at work right now and the powers that be are debating on whether or not we should come to work tomorrow. :rolleyes:


Stay safe.:hug:

[southurnmimi]

Just wanted to tell everyone that may be in the storm's path, please be safe and leave early. Even the aggravation of congested road is not worth losing your life of the life of a family member. Houses and possessions can be replaced, people cannot.

One little tip from our Katrina experiences, pack all the food in your freezer in garbage bags. As many as it takes. When you come back, if the electricity has been out, you can just grab the bags and toss.

We just did this for Gustav. I left one ice cream bar on the shelf. I figured if it was a frozen glob by the time I got back, I would know the power had been out. We were lucky. Power was only out for about 15 minutes according to our crazy neighbor who didn't leave. I'm still unpacking garbage bags, LOL, but trust me, if we had lost everything, it's a whole lot easier to toss bags and have all the mess contained.

Oh, and if you do lose power and have to clean the refrig and freezer, crumpled newspaper and charcoal bricks help with the odor. YOu will have to change everyday for a month or so, but you will eventually have a fresh smelling freezer again.

[TigerKat]

One little tip from our Katrina experiences, pack all the food in your freezer in garbage bags. As many as it takes. When you come back, if the electricity has been out, you can just grab the bags and toss.

Oh, and if you do lose power and have to clean the refrig and freezer, crumpled newspaper and charcoal bricks help with the odor. YOu will have to change everyday for a month or so, but you will eventually have a fresh smelling freezer again.

We did the garbage bags in the freezer and it was so much easier when we got home to toss them. GREAT TIP!!:thumbsup2

[mom2disprincesses]

hope everyone stays safe. :hug:

[legalsea]

http://www.stormpulse.com/

Very interesting website that you can track the storm on.

[Shutterbug]

A Hurricane Warning Is In Effect From Morgan City Louisiana To
Baffin Bay Texas. Hurricane Conditions Could Reach The Coast Within The Warning Area By Late Friday.

[TigerKat]

We're already getting very strong wind gusts, I'm praying for everyone.:grouphug:

[Shutterbug]

They are talking about 26 foot waves :sad2:

On the Fox channel they showed homes that already had waves already washing up against it. I thought it said Galveston but I am not sure.

[4greatboys]

They are talking about 26 foot waves :sad2:

On the Fox channel they showed homes that already had waves already washing up against it. I thought it said Galveston but I am not sure.

It was probably Surf Side or Freeport. They have no sea wall.

[ImMarcik]

We are under the mandatory evac. here close to port arthur/beaumont. But, we chose to stay. I have my freezer packed up with water bottles and ice trays. I also put water in all our tupperware and bigger pots for flushing the toilet. My neighbor let us borrow a propane lantern. Wish us luck.

[TigerKat]

We are under the mandatory evac. here close to port arthur/beaumont. But, we chose to stay. I have my freezer packed up with water bottles and ice trays. I also put water in all our tupperware and bigger pots for flushing the toilet. My neighbor let us borrow a propane lantern. Wish us luck.

Prayers for your safety.:hug: I am amazed at how many people chose to stay.

[Shutterbug]

We are under the mandatory evac. here close to port arthur/beaumont. But, we chose to stay. I have my freezer packed up with water bottles and ice trays. I also put water in all our tupperware and bigger pots for flushing the toilet. My neighbor let us borrow a propane lantern. Wish us luck.

Best of luck!

[AmazingGrace]

We are under the mandatory evac. here close to port arthur/beaumont. But, we chose to stay. I have my freezer packed up with water bottles and ice trays. I also put water in all our tupperware and bigger pots for flushing the toilet. My neighbor let us borrow a propane lantern. Wish us luck.

Go ahead and fill your bath tubs up too!!! You'll do fine. Check back and keep us posted.

[ImMarcik]

Go ahead and fill your bath tubs up too!!! You'll do fine. Check back and keep us posted.

Thank you for the encouragement. I needed it. :hug:

[Shutterbug]

Please be safe everyone. This storm is huge and will effect many.
There has been talk that the storm surge is expected to be extremely large.
When it moves inland it will move fast keeping its tropical nature. Computer models have it up into Illinois and Indiana by 8pm sunday STILL as a tropical depression.

[Camping Cat]

One little tip from our Katrina experiences, pack all the food in your freezer in garbage bags. As many as it takes. When you come back, if the electricity has been out, you can just grab the bags and toss..

But they told us after Katrina that we had to bury everything from our freezer in the back yard and that we had to unwrap everything before we buried it. That day is a nightmare I'll remember for the rest of my life. We had gloves on and masks that I kept spraying with cologne to try and cover the smell. Sweat pouring in our eyes while we worked. I felt sick all day long.


Oh, and if you do lose power and have to clean the refrig and freezer, crumpled newspaper and charcoal bricks help with the odor. YOu will have to change everyday for a month or so, but you will eventually have a fresh smelling freezer again.

I tried everything for over a month but finally had to give up and buy a new refrigerator. Anything I heard or read about. I tried the newspaper and charcoal. I tried cat litter. I tried wiping the whole refrigerator and freezer down with vanilla extract, lemon juice, and even vinegar. I even tried pouring bleach in the freezer section and letting it run all the way through the system to the drip pan on the bottom, followed by fresh water, bleach again and more cycles of water. Nothing worked. Yuck!

[trip]

We are under the mandatory evac. here close to port arthur/beaumont. But, we chose to stay. I have my freezer packed up with water bottles and ice trays. I also put water in all our tupperware and bigger pots for flushing the toilet. My neighbor let us borrow a propane lantern. Wish us luck.

Just curious - how did you make the decision to stay? I've never had to face a hurricane so I don't know what I would do. When you are told it's mandatory, what do local officials tell you will happen if you don't?

[4greatboys]

Just curious - how did you make the decision to stay? I've never had to face a hurricane so I don't know what I would do. When you are told it's mandatory, what do local officials tell you will happen if you don't?

We are in a mandatory evac area as well but are staying. Nothing happens. they cannot make you leave your house. However if something happens during the storm and you decide you need help they will not rush out to help. Your just on your own til it's safe for them to be out.

[ImMarcik]

Just curious - how did you make the decision to stay? I've never had to face a hurricane so I don't know what I would do. When you are told it's mandatory, what do local officials tell you will happen if you don't?

I was going to leave. I was packed up, but my step-family couldn't decide it they were staying or leaving so i made the decision to stay. I don't have any real family here. It's just my daughter and me. My friend lives by me and is staying. His apartment is upstairs and we will go there if it gets flooded.

We don't have water now.

[TigerKat]

We are in a mandatory evac area as well but are staying. Nothing happens. they cannot make you leave your house. However if something happens during the storm and you decide you need help they will not rush out to help. Your just on your own til it's safe for them to be out.

I was going to leave. I was packed up, but my step-family couldn't decide it they were staying or leaving so i made the decision to stay. I don't have any real family here. It's just my daughter and me. My friend lives by me and is staying. His apartment is upstairs and we will go there if it gets flooded.

We don't have water now.

Keeping you both and your loved ones in my prayers.:grouphug:

[Shutterbug]

I have been watching vid here at work...water already covering an outer island...Downtown Galveston already water filling the streets. All of this before the hurricane actually arrives.

I just looked at the most recent satellite image. Its like you almost cant see the Gulf anymore because the hurricane is so big.

I saw on CNN military has already put 42 search and rescue helicopters on standby.

[4greatboys]

The are thinking this will be the worse storm surge we have had due to the size of the storm.

[Shutterbug]

on CNN.com

The military is saying they may need to rescue 37,000 people after the storm.

Coast Guard already had to rescue some today.

[TigerKat]

on CNN.com

The military is saying they may need to rescue 37,000 people after the storm.

Coast Guard already had to rescue some today.

Oh dear Lord.:sad1:

[Tiggerlover91]

on CNN.com

The military is saying they may need to rescue 37,000 people after the storm.

Coast Guard already had to rescue some today.

Oh good grief...Katrina all over again. :sad1: :guilty:

[ImMarcik]

just checking in. No flooding here yet. I do have a cop friend who knows where i am. She is checking on me. I'm with 6 other people

[cgcw]

I just heard on CNN that anyone who is in a mandatory evacuation area and has chosen not to leave, needs to take a permanent marker and write their name and SS# on the inside of their arm. In the event that they don't survive, this will help to identify the dead. :sad1:

I hope all of you staying stay safe!

[4greatboys]

I heard on one news station the meterologist said the wind is Cat 2 but the storm surge is more like a Cat 4.

[Shutterbug]

on CNN.com

The military is saying they may need to rescue 37,000 people after the storm.

Coast Guard already had to rescue some today.


I forgot to put the link to the story:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/09/12/ike.rescues/index.html

Also their is a freighter adrift in the Gulf with 22 on board that they cannot rescue.

[C.Ann]

I just heard a 24 foot storm surge (I believe it was the governor that made the statement) - and he said it will sweep away and destroy everything in it's path.. Just like a sunami.. :(

[brerrabbit]

It will be bad but please people don't get all crazy on us and start posting things like someone said "write you name and ssn on your arm so we can identify the dead" That is stupid, rude, inconsiderate and downright propagantist. It's a cat 2 and will probably make landfall as a cat 2. Storm surge will be bad and you will be in trouble in low lying areas, but we live and breath hurricane around here and generally know what our elevation is to the ft and can tell you exactly where it will flood. We get floods a lot, we live on a coastal plain and our average rainfall is over 60 inches. This is a fast moving storm that is suppose to be suck up by afront and move out pretty quick so we are hoping for not as much rain.

How many people can off the top of there head tell me exactley what elevation above sea level your house is? I can as can an extremely lot of people in my area can. We know because its that important.

Please don't sensationalize this storm along with the media. We know the truth, things are not good, but I can assure you they are not as bad as the national media is portaying them.

And before I step off my soap box let me say one more thing. I was listening to a radio broadcast of the director of homeland security statement and following questions and when they opened it up to reporters from the national media the very first question asked was about the levys in New Orleans and how this storm would effect them. As I have always guessed the national media does not care much for Texas, or more specifically Houston.

[Camping Cat]

I just heard on CNN that anyone who is in a mandatory evacuation area and has chosen not to leave, needs to take a permanent marker and write their name and SS# on the inside of their arm. In the event that they don't survive, this will help to identify the dead. :sad1:



That's what was said for Katrina. Not everyone heeded it. We just laid to rest the last 80 or so of the unidentified bodies on the 3rd anniversary of Katrina on August 29. Anyone who lives along the coast and doesn't evacuate for this storm is just plain stupid. Pardon my bluntness but I've lost patience with the terminally foolish. I watched while first responders put their lives in danger to rescue people who wouldn't leave. Now, I see on television the partying going on in a bar on the Texas coast and I start to boil. If those idiots survive, someone is going to have to put their life at risk to haul their sorry butts out of there. :mad:

[TigerKat]

That's what was said for Katrina. Not everyone heeded it. We just laid to rest the last 80 or so of the unidentified bodies on the 3rd anniversary of Katrina on August 29. Anyone who lives along the coast and doesn't evacuate for this storm is just plain stupid. Pardon my bluntness but I've lost patience with the terminally foolish. I watched while first responders put their lives in danger to rescue people who wouldn't leave. Now, I see on television the partying going on in a bar on the Texas coast and I start to boil. If those idiots survive, someone is going to have to put their life at risk to haul their sorry butts out of there. :mad:

I saw that bar scene too, I think it was the "Poop Deck" on Galveston island. Those idiots were standing in line this morning to get in and start drinking and they are having a grand old time partying it up, made me furious. I also heard on CNN that 40% of Galveston Island residents did NOT evacuate. I can only pray that they survive this somehow.:sad1:

[Shutterbug]

It will be bad but please people don't get all crazy on us and start posting things like someone said "write you name and ssn on your arm so we can identify the dead" That is stupid, rude, inconsiderate and downright propagantist. It's a cat 2 and will probably make landfall as a cat 2. Storm surge will be bad and you will be in trouble in low lying areas, but we live and breath hurricane around here and generally know what our elevation is to the ft and can tell you exactly where it will flood. We get floods a lot, we live on a coastal plain and our average rainfall is over 60 inches. This is a fast moving storm that is suppose to be suck up by afront and move out pretty quick so we are hoping for not as much rain.

How many people can off the top of there head tell me exactley what elevation above sea level your house is? I can as can an extremely lot of people in my area can. We know because its that important.

Please don't sensationalize this storm along with the media. We know the truth, things are not good, but I can assure you they are not as bad as the national media is portaying them.

And before I step off my soap box let me say one more thing. I was listening to a radio broadcast of the director of homeland security statement and following questions and when they opened it up to reporters from the national media the very first question asked was about the levys in New Orleans and how this storm would effect them. As I have always guessed the national media does not care much for Texas, or more specifically Houston.

So the authorities and NHC and NWS are sensationalizing this storm? They are the ones saying if you stay you will die.

And what about those that the Coast Guard had to rescue today. As a guess, they probably thought they could stay and be safe. Instead a helicopter and crew was needed to rescue those that should have already left.

That whole post and attack(yes thats what it was) on someone for reporting what was reported on the news was wrong and out of line. As Camping Cat just posted above they just buried the last 80 unidentified bodies from Katrina.

I truely hope you are right and you come out of this alright.

[cgcw]

It will be bad but please people don't get all crazy on us and start posting things like someone said "write you name and ssn on your arm so we can identify the dead" That is stupid, rude, inconsiderate and downright propagantist.

That may very well be your opinion, however, if it were me and the area I lived in was under a mandatory evacuation, I certainly would do the responsible thing for me and my family and evacuate.

That's what was said for Katrina. Not everyone heeded it. We just laid to rest the last 80 or so of the unidentified bodies on the 3rd anniversary of Katrina on August 29. Anyone who lives along the coast and doesn't evacuate for this storm is just plain stupid. Pardon my bluntness but I've lost patience with the terminally foolish. I watched while first responders put their lives in danger to rescue people who wouldn't leave. Now, I see on television the partying going on in a bar on the Texas coast and I start to boil. If those idiots survive, someone is going to have to put their life at risk to haul their sorry butts out of there. :mad:

I very much agree with you. For the people who decide to stay, that's their choice. But the people who are first responders and putting their lives in danger to rescue them, it's a a pity that they have to then be in jeopardy.

[TigerKat]

And before I step off my soap box let me say one more thing. I was listening to a radio broadcast of the director of homeland security statement and following questions and when they opened it up to reporters from the national media the very first question asked was about the levys in New Orleans and how this storm would effect them. As I have always guessed the national media does not care much for Texas, or more specifically Houston.

That question was asked because there are many areas that started flooding early this morning and continue to do so. At that point only Louisiana had had any flooding from the storm.

For some reason the people in Texas think that we love all this media attention we've gotten.:confused3 Believe me I heard Houston mentioned ALL DAY today as it should have been and unfortunately I believe Texas will be talked about for months, maybe years to come with this storm. But please remember that Southwest Louisiana is also going to be affected severely so you'll have to endure hearing about LA again.

The folks in Houston opened their hearts and homes to many from Louisiana and I personally will never forget that month I spent there. I hope I can do the same for them.

[C.Ann]

It will be bad but please people don't get all crazy on us and start posting things like someone said "write you name and ssn on your arm so we can identify the dead" That is stupid, rude, inconsiderate and downright propagantist. It's a cat 2 and will probably make landfall as a cat 2. Storm surge will be bad and you will be in trouble in low lying areas, but we live and breath hurricane around here and generally know what our elevation is to the ft and can tell you exactly where it will flood. We get floods a lot, we live on a coastal plain and our average rainfall is over 60 inches. This is a fast moving storm that is suppose to be suck up by afront and move out pretty quick so we are hoping for not as much rain.

How many people can off the top of there head tell me exactley what elevation above sea level your house is? I can as can an extremely lot of people in my area can. We know because its that important.

Please don't sensationalize this storm along with the media. We know the truth, things are not good, but I can assure you they are not as bad as the national media is portaying them.

And before I step off my soap box let me say one more thing. I was listening to a radio broadcast of the director of homeland security statement and following questions and when they opened it up to reporters from the national media the very first question asked was about the levys in New Orleans and how this storm would effect them. As I have always guessed the national media does not care much for Texas, or more specifically Houston.
---------------------------------

The governor of your state is giving out incorrect information? What I posted is what was said - including the reference to a sunami..:confused3

[TigerKat]

---------------------------------

The governor of your state is giving out incorrect information? What I posted is what was said - including the reference to a sunami..:confused3

I heard the same thing as well.

[Shutterbug]

wow...the footage that the WC just got in from the coast guard. Areas already flooded..wow...just wow.....


Also just anounced....at 9:00pm NO MORE RESCUES.
They already did over 100 rescues today.

[brerrabbit]

Yes, there are idiots that are going to stay in any situation you cannot regulate stupidity. They deserve no help and no one should risk their lives to save them. As far as manditory evacuation goes the national media is reporting all of certain counties are under manditory evacuation when the reality is that only certain areas and certain zip codes of the counties are supposed to evacuate. Example, I live in the far northern tip of Brazoria county and yet Freeport which sits on the coast is also in my county. Should Freeport evacuate, heck yeh! Should I? well not really. Combine that with the fact that the reason many are staying this time instead of leaving as they did for Rita is that they started evacuating Rita on a Monday night Tuesday morning for a storm that will make landfall around the same time that Ike will and yet for Ike the first manditory evacuation was not called for till after people went to sleep Wednesday night. We could have never gotten everybody out of the area. So we sit and do nothing and the next thing you know they start calling for manditory evacuations for a bunch of areas mid day on Thursday. Well guess what to no ones surprise, very few people leave and they were bragging on the local channels about how smooth the evacuation went and they did not even open many contra flows to make it happen. Well duh, nobody left. The fact is its a hurricane, bad things will happen, but according to some of the reports I have seen they plan on it being catostophic. My main point here is that the vast majority of the people that live in this area know what to do that is best for them and do it. Some people are idiots and don't, but don't over dramitize everything to get people in a panic.

[4greatboys]

The wind is really picking up over here. Our neighbors across the street lost power. I think it was a transformer as we heard a really loud bang. I actually thought one of the pine trees in our front yard went down.

It's starting to get to the scary part of the storm.

[TigerKat]

The wind is really picking up over here. Our neighbors across the street lost power. I think it was a transformer as we heard a really loud bang. I actually thought one of the pine trees in our front yard went down.

It's starting to get to the scary part of the storm.

Praying for you Deena, stay safe.:hug:

[brerrabbit]

Hey 4greatboys, our friend called from the other end of the neighborhood and they had a transformer blow as well and now they are without power. We lost cable and internet for a while but it came back. Stay safe. We are all boarded up and have the generator ready.

[bradleysnana]

4 great boys
What area are you in? My sister emailed me from Katy about 2 hours ago and her lights were flickering. She said she would email every hour but I have not heard back. I am assuming she lost power shortly after the email at 7. Everyone stay safe!!!

[rt2dz]

Well, the first of Ike is coming in. Galveston is out of power; the news says 250,000 without power. Well, the guy from the power company on the phone said 250,000 without power.

We should feel it in an hour or two (South Montgomery County). We're right in the line of the eye, which is saying 7-8 AM for our area. Our house is full; my in-laws live in a mandatory evacuation area. So it is me, DH, DS7, DS4, DS2, MIL, FIL, BIL & SIL, BIL, niece, and DH's cousin (who his parents raised) and three dogs and three cats in our little3 bedroom house.

Wish us luck!! I'm scared; I'm a northern girl and we left for Rita.

[C.Ann]

Still keeping all of you in my prayers.. Do whatever you need to do in order to stay safe!

[4greatboys]

I'm closer to Galveston. I live on the same side of town as Brer.

We are just lucky we still have power but I don't think that will last long.



I heard the saddest story. A man was trying to cut down a dead tree so it wouldn't fall on their house once the winds picked up. However his son was in the yard when he was cutting it down and the tree fell on the boy and the boy died.

[Gina]

Checking in from the Brazoria/Galveston county line... Very windy, power has been flickering on and off for several hours, not much rain yet. I know this is just the fringes of everything. It's going to be a very very long night....

Big hugs to everyone else in the middle of this -- please update as you can! I'll do the same.

-gina-

[TigerKat]

Deena - Heard that story about the little boy on Fox a bit ago. Stay safe.

Gina - Please stay safe.

Both of you and all in the area please stay in touch as long as you can, I'm praying for you all.:grouphug:

[Shutterbug]

They are reporting on FOX that a local levy in southwestern LA parish breeched and flooded about 100 homes.

[Shutterbug]

I also want to say, watching all the diff channels I have not seen this type of lampasting of people that have stayed behind before.

Jim Cantore, Geraldo.....really bashing people for staying behind. I have not seen that before.

I really do hope those that have stayed behind survive. I have images of people on roofs again come tomorrow morning.

[TigerKat]

They are reporting on FOX that a local levy in southwestern LA parish breeched and flooded about 100 homes.

It was actually in SE LA, Lafitte. Unbelievable that we're seeing more storm surge than during Gustav. We have many, many flooded areas. Our main concern, however, is the state of Texas and SW LA.

[Shutterbug]

It was actually in SE LA, Lafitte. Unbelievable that we're seeing more storm surge than during Gustav. We have many, many flooded areas. Our main concern, however, is the state of Texas and SW LA.

okay...switching through so many channels and pictures in pictures I prob heard wrong.

I agree. It just goes to show how far reaching this storm is.

[wano]

I'm in terrebonne parish (ground zero for gustav) the water from ike has breached more than one levee not sure about other parishes but alot of coastal terrebonne parish is flooded . a couple of things that really TICK me off are.

1. when told to evacuate GO! those who stay with small children don't deserve to have anyone in their care. despite the wind and water the tornadoes they spawn move really fast . by the time you hear them it's too late i feel bad for the kids put in harms way by ignorant adults.

2. as far as the retards at that bar in galveston , they shouldn't have gotten their 15 minutes of fame but i guess any idiot can get on tv.

I have been through 40 yrs of hurricanes and even if you fare well , when its over you still don't have electricity , water, food,and try to find gas for your generator . if you choose to put yourself in that position more power to you but dont put your kids through something that miserable. we evacuated for gustav sometimes you have to know what fights you can't win!

[TigerKat]

I'm in terrebonne parish (ground zero for gustav) the water from ike has breached more than one levee not sure about other parishes but alot of coastal terrebonne parish is flooded . a couple of things that really TICK me off are.

1. when told to evacuate GO! those who stay with small children don't deserve to have anyone in their care. despite the wind and water the tornadoes they spawn move really fast . by the time you hear them it's too late i feel bad for the kids put in harms way by ignorant adults.

2. as far as the retards at that bar in galveston , they shouldn't have gotten their 15 minutes of fame but i guess any idiot can get on tv.

I have been through 40 yrs of hurricanes and even if you fare well , when its over you still don't have electricity , water, food,and try to find gas for your generator . if you choose to put yourself in that position more power to you but dont put your kids through something that miserable. we evacuated for gustav sometimes you have to know what fights you can't win!

Very well said and God Bless You and your area.:hug:

[gmboy95]

I am 2,000 miles away, but I am wishing luck and good thoughts to my fellow country men and women in Texas..............I fear for those who did not leave galveston....they say 40% stayed, that is scary:confused:

[Shutterbug]

I'm in terrebonne parish (ground zero for gustav) the water from ike has breached more than one levee not sure about other parishes but alot of coastal terrebonne parish is flooded . a couple of things that really TICK me off are.

1. when told to evacuate GO! those who stay with small children don't deserve to have anyone in their care. despite the wind and water the tornadoes they spawn move really fast . by the time you hear them it's too late i feel bad for the kids put in harms way by ignorant adults.

2. as far as the retards at that bar in galveston , they shouldn't have gotten their 15 minutes of fame but i guess any idiot can get on tv.

I have been through 40 yrs of hurricanes and even if you fare well , when its over you still don't have electricity , water, food,and try to find gas for your generator . if you choose to put yourself in that position more power to you but dont put your kids through something that miserable. we evacuated for gustav sometimes you have to know what fights you can't win!

*nods* Geraldo really was slamming those that had children and stayed behind.

[Shutterbug]

I have question....those houses on the pilings/stilts...how far are they sunk into ground/sand? I was wondering just how much ground would have to be eroded away before it would collapse.

It now looks like the gulf is now over the seawall in Galvaston.

[Villainess]

I have question....those houses on the pilings/stilts...how far are they sunk into ground/sand? I was wondering just how much ground would have to be eroded away before it would collapse.

It now looks like the gulf is now over the seawall in Galvaston.


I think the wind and the pounding of waves would severely weaken the pilings in addition to any erosion.

Prayers for everyone going through this storm and their families/friends as well.

[Notatourist]

It will be bad but please people don't get all crazy on us and start posting things like someone said "write you name and ssn on your arm so we can identify the dead" That is stupid, rude, inconsiderate and downright propagantist. It's a cat 2 and will probably make landfall as a cat 2. Storm surge will be bad and you will be in trouble in low lying areas, but we live and breath hurricane around here and generally know what our elevation is to the ft and can tell you exactly where it will flood. We get floods a lot, we live on a coastal plain and our average rainfall is over 60 inches. This is a fast moving storm that is suppose to be suck up by afront and move out pretty quick so we are hoping for not as much rain.

How many people can off the top of there head tell me exactley what elevation above sea level your house is? I can as can an extremely lot of people in my area can. We know because its that important.

Please don't sensationalize this storm along with the media. We know the truth, things are not good, but I can assure you they are not as bad as the national media is portaying them.

And before I step off my soap box let me say one more thing. I was listening to a radio broadcast of the director of homeland security statement and following questions and when they opened it up to reporters from the national media the very first question asked was about the levys in New Orleans and how this storm would effect them. As I have always guessed the national media does not care much for Texas, or more specifically Houston.

You're kidding, right? You don't realize how bad it really could be and instead of folks staying home in Galveston, which as of this writing is UNDER WATER, this at least allows folks to ID them. I know you're a sixth generation Texan (I'm the child of one) and I know that Texans know better than to NOT listen to the authorities.

My mom's from Port Arthur. I don't know if it's still standing at this point. My thoughts to all going through this.

[moredisneyplease]

i'm currently chatting via text message w/ a good friend of mine in The Woodlands (40ish mins north of Houston) and the center of the storm is right over her. she says as of now its just noisy and wet and they have some leaks in the roof but other than that her and her family are doing OK.

Hopefully all others are fairing that well.

[TigerKat]

I know some folks in Orange, TX, haven't been able to get in touch with them which isn't surprising. Heard a report on TV that there were people on roofs in Orange.:guilty:

[Shutterbug]

I know some folks in Orange, TX, haven't been able to get in touch with them which isn't surprising. Heard a report on TV that there were people on roofs in Orange.:guilty:

Heard that as well.

[AlexDurrani]

im also worried:eek: my 3 yo dd keeps saying it's coming here and we are going to have to live somewhere elese:scared1:

That is a smart 3 year old. I am in Sugar Land close to New Territory and our neighborhood has power while the others don't. We have friends that left Clear Lake and were staying at another friends in NT but they don't have power and now are here. My aunt lives in NT and they don't have power either. If anyone in florida reads this be glad you didn't get this storm. Actually I don't think it would have been this bad.

[Camping Cat]

I have question....those houses on the pilings/stilts...how far are they sunk into ground/sand? I was wondering just how much ground would have to be eroded away before it would collapse.



If you want to know what those houses could look like after a really bad hurricane, check out my pictures that I took in Waveland, MS about a month after Katrina. We were delivering supplies to our very good friends who had 5 feet of water in their home. They lived a little away from the beach, so at least they had a home to rebuild. They lived in a tent in their back yard until they got a trailer from FEMA, but that took about another month. I also have some pictures from late January 2006 and you can see how extensive the damage was and how slow the recovery. This is why I have no patience with people who stay when advised to leave. You asked about the pilings. You can see from my photos that the pilings are all that are left from what once were beautiful beach houses.

http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u41/ikoiko124/Katrina%20-%20Waveland/

I hope you can view them. Let me know if they don't come through.

[TigerKat]

Jan - Those photos are chilling.:sad1:

[Shutterbug]

One account of someone who decided to stay:

http://m.siliconvalley.com/articles/162488368


"I'm drained. I'm beat up," said Steven Rushing, a commercial fisherman who tried to ride out the storm with his wife and several family members, including his pregnant 17-year-old daughter, in their one-story brick home on Galveston Island. Early Saturday, he loaded his family into a 17-foot ski boat and headed for safety. The boat ran aground and the Rushings sprinted for safety, guided by lights from police responding to a 911 call made from the boat.

"My family is traumatized. I kept them here, promising them everything would be alright, but this is the real deal and I won't stay no more."

[MUFFYCAT]

That is a smart 3 year old. I am in Sugar Land close to New Territory and our neighborhood has power while the others don't. We have friends that left Clear Lake and were staying at another friends in NT but they don't have power and now are here. My aunt lives in NT and they don't have power either. If anyone in florida reads this be glad you didn't get this storm. Actually I don't think it would have been this bad.



My brother lost power in the Greatwood section. Except for a fence that fell down they were fine. His 2 neighbors lost so many shingles it left alot of damage in the house.

He said the town had a curfew until 2 p.m. so the neighborhood can be checked out.

[Camping Cat]

Jan - Those photos are chilling.:sad1:

It really did look like a bomb had gone off all along the beach. There was nothing at all left there.

When we brought supplies to our friends, I hadn't wanted to see the beach area. I had too many good memories of the beaches in MS. I didn't want to see what was left. But as were leaving their house, all our exits were blocked by big trucks removing debris, so we had to take the road toward the beach and get on Beach Blvd. for a block or so. I felt like I was attending a funeral. Everything was dead and gone.

I apologize for the quality of some of the photos. I was taking pictures from inside of our van and the lovebugs were horrible. I've never seen lovebugs like that in the months after Katrina! They swarmed over everything. We would stop at a gas station and clean our windshield, but the minute we took off, it was just as bad as when we stopped.

[Kirby]

I heard from my nephew in Sugar Land this morning. He and his family are doing good, lost power but it's back on. He said that his house is okay but a number of them in his neighborhood has quite a bit of damage.

[Planogirl]

Galveston has apparently had some severe problems and continues to do so. I'm checking blogs and forums and many landmarks and homes are gone and some places are still flooded. Galveston did not flood as badly as they thought it would but it appears to still be very, very bad.

I've been digging around trying to find out about some of the little towns around the bay and it doesn't look quite as bad yet but info is sketchy. The only exception I've seen is Surfside, it looks pretty badly damaged. I also see lots of flooding. If anyone hears anything please post! We are from that area and it's hard to get much information just yet.

[bumcat]

Here are some pics I found

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/09/hurricane-ik-16.html?csp=34

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7615028.stm

I believe I heard Seabrook, Bacliff and Clear Lake has a lot of damage. Kemah looks awful especially the Kemah boardwalk area.

So far 3 bodies have been found in Galveston, I'm afraid there will be much more.
Looters have been thrown in jail which has no power. Serves them right.

[bumcat]

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/13/us/0913-IKE_index.html

[bumcat]

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Hurricane-Ike/ss/events/us/091208hurricaneike#photoViewer=/080914/ids_photos_ts/r2311381508.jpg

[Shutterbug]

Just read they have rescued nearly 2000 people so far.

[jrpopfan]

"I survived Ike" is what it should say on my shirt. We sat, we waited... power went out before ike even hit land strange to say. Woke up to lots and lots of wind, then some water. We got up and waited for day light. When it finally came Ike was still over us but in the outer bands. We watched the trees blow, etc... After it was over, we sat... we waited. No power still.
The next night all you could do was go to bed early. We were woken up with more rain. So much rain that is flooded the street, work, etc... We sat... we waited... We just got back our power and I came to the DisBoards. (I guess I am Disney Addicted).
We live in an older apartment in the Galleria area. So, I would assume we would have issues. I thought it would be flooding through front door. Oh was I wrong. Apparently we had a crack in foundation that had water seep through the carpet and crack in wall that water came through in for the master bedroom. In the kitchen, there is some leak under the cabnets that flooded out and ruined the carpet in dining room and closet in master bedroom. Guest bedroom either had actually hurricane damage and cracked the window seal and we had a waterfall of water coming in soaking the carpet in the whole room.
So, dealing with all the water... no power to circulate air, the heat and a dog... the smell is almost unbearable in here. Hopefully tomorrow the apartment office will open and I will be trying to relocate to a different apt until they can fix all this.
Being without power was extremely boring and the only thing that I found to make this experience manageable was to continue to think that in 10 day, I will be leaving for my birthday wdw vacation. Me and my GF spent most of our time just talking about things we want to do, want we wanna buy, etc... It was that light at the end of this dark and windy tunnel.
So, I am now officially at day 10 countdown. Can't sleep. Don't feel good. But now with power I think I can finally cool down and relax.

[Shutterbug]

Wow, glad you came out okay.

Here in Ohio the remnants of Ike killed 3 people from falling trees when it came through yesterday afternoon and evening.

[TigerKat]

"I survived Ike" is what it should say on my shirt. We sat, we waited... power went out before ike even hit land strange to say. Woke up to lots and lots of wind, then some water. We got up and waited for day light. When it finally came Ike was still over us but in the outer bands. We watched the trees blow, etc... After it was over, we sat... we waited. No power still.
The next night all you could do was go to bed early. We were woken up with more rain. So much rain that is flooded the street, work, etc... We sat... we waited... We just got back our power and I came to the DisBoards. (I guess I am Disney Addicted).
We live in an older apartment in the Galleria area. So, I would assume we would have issues. I thought it would be flooding through front door. Oh was I wrong. Apparently we had a crack in foundation that had water seep through the carpet and crack in wall that water came through in for the master bedroom. In the kitchen, there is some leak under the cabnets that flooded out and ruined the carpet in dining room and closet in master bedroom. Guest bedroom either had actually hurricane damage and cracked the window seal and we had a waterfall of water coming in soaking the carpet in the whole room.
So, dealing with all the water... no power to circulate air, the heat and a dog... the smell is almost unbearable in here. Hopefully tomorrow the apartment office will open and I will be trying to relocate to a different apt until they can fix all this.
Being without power was extremely boring and the only thing that I found to make this experience manageable was to continue to think that in 10 day, I will be leaving for my birthday wdw vacation. Me and my GF spent most of our time just talking about things we want to do, want we wanna buy, etc... It was that light at the end of this dark and windy tunnel.
So, I am now officially at day 10 countdown. Can't sleep. Don't feel good. But now with power I think I can finally cool down and relax.

Glad to hear you mad it and are safe. You got your power back quick! We were without power for a week after Gustav, it's miserable.

[4greatboys]

Our house is fine for the most part. We had part of wood around Matthews room is gone so we had leaking into Matthews room and down the wall into the dining room below. Today it stinks and I see some mold on the ceiling already. Damn that stuff moves in quick. We also had leaking around our living room roof.

Lost some shingles. many tree limbs and our garage door is all dented in. Our fence is gone.

We got power back late last night. Only about 500,00 are with power still over a million without.

Matthew, Michael and I stayed up all night the night Ike came through. It was unbelieveable how hard those winds blow. It was only 1 mph under a Cat 3. I think the eye shifted a little because we expected it over us but I think we were on the rim of it because we never had the calm during the eye just the really bad winds for hours. Probably around 11 pm til 5am we had the worst winds (the hurricane force ones), Then once it past we had the tropical storm force winds left to pass through. I don't think the wind left dowm much til maybe around 1pm.

The flood waters came up into our yard past the sidewalk but not much farther than that. Then it was just freaking hot. So hot and humid. We had a film of water on our tile due to the humidity.

Michael had a friend with power so he went there Sat night. Matthew, Evan, Connor and I slept in the car that night because it was just so hot and sticky.

It was bad but we consider ourselves very lucky.

[txSleepingBeauty]

another Ike survivor checking in. no damage to the house, we barely escaped the falling trees. everyone of our trees lost huge branches, but amazingly none of them landed on the roof or the cars.

that whole night was extremely frightening. due to unexpected guests I ended up sleeping in my family room which has 2 big skylights so I could see the trees whipping around and green flashes as transformer after transformer blew up all night. yikes!!

it was nice to come out Sat. morning alive though. all of the neighbors on my street pitched in to get driveways clear and trees cut down.

still no power, I'm actually at work charging things. my bookstore let us in to enjoy the ac and electricity for a few hours!

[AlexDurrani]

My brother lost power in the Greatwood section. Except for a fence that fell down they were fine. His 2 neighbors lost so many shingles it left alot of damage in the house.

He said the town had a curfew until 2 p.m. so the neighborhood can be checked out.

We were lucky regarding the damage. we had 2 outdoor fans actually come loose and start hitting the glass doors. My brother and father went out into the storm to shut the power off to actually cut the fans down. They were hanging by the power line that ran to it. The neighbors across the lake from us had a tree literally uproot from the ground and fall on their fence. I was in Miami on vacation (go figure) during Hurricane Andrew and the sight of the tree reminded me so much of that storm. I have seen a lot of footage from helicopters on the news that show so much devistation in Galveston. The images remind me of the destruction in Mississippi after Katrina and in parts of Miami and the Keys after Andrew. There are almost no houses left standing. All you see is the wooden pylons that they were sitting on. This is the hurricane of 1900 and Carla all over again.

[TigerKat]

So glad to hear from all of you survivors that you and your families are safe. I can only imagine how frightening it was for y'all. I must say I'm very impressed at how quickly they are restoring your power. We had no damage from Gustav but were without power for a week.

Praying that we are all spared the remainder of hurricane season.:grouphug:

[4greatboys]

I think I'm just lucky and am on a grid with the PD or something. Last I heard 76% of those who lost power are still without.

[brerrabbit]

Our house is fine for the most part. We had part of wood around Matthews room is gone so we had leaking into Matthews room and down the wall into the dining room below. Today it stinks and I see some mold on the ceiling already. Damn that stuff moves in quick. We also had leaking around our living room roof.

Lost some shingles. many tree limbs and our garage door is all dented in. Our fence is gone.

We got power back late last night. Only about 500,00 are with power still over a million without.

Matthew, Michael and I stayed up all night the night Ike came through. It was unbelieveable how hard those winds blow. It was only 1 mph under a Cat 3. I think the eye shifted a little because we expected it over us but I think we were on the rim of it because we never had the calm during the eye just the really bad winds for hours. Probably around 11 pm til 5am we had the worst winds (the hurricane force ones), Then once it past we had the tropical storm force winds left to pass through. I don't think the wind left dowm much til maybe around 1pm.

The flood waters came up into our yard past the sidewalk but not much farther than that. Then it was just freaking hot. So hot and humid. We had a film of water on our tile due to the humidity.

Michael had a friend with power so he went there Sat night. Matthew, Evan, Connor and I slept in the car that night because it was just so hot and sticky.

It was bad but we consider ourselves very lucky.

Glad to hear you are all okay. We still don't have power and I had to come to work at an alternate site. We lost our fence and a few shingles but also had wind driven water into the front of our house. The living room, the dinning room and my DD's bedroom all got water. Other wise we are all okay. We have a generator so the fridge, a tv and a fan are working and water and sewer is working so overall things could be much worse.

Deena, where do you live that you have power back? PM me if you don't want the world to know specifics.

[brerrabbit]

A the stories surrounding a hurricane start coming out I am always amazed, ammused, and saddened by them. My all time stupid award has several front runners so far but I think the leading contender tus far is a guy who runs the 96th street fishing pier in Galveston. He, his fiancee (maybe ex fiancee by now) and a friend drove to the pier right before the storm, parked their truck on the pier and went into the bait shop on the pier. The storm grew worse and started knocking the floor out of the bait shop/ refreshment stand and so the went upstairs to the guys apartment above the bait shop. They got stranded and could not leave. The storm tore all the decking off the pier and completely destroyed the bait shop. These three wound up riding out the storm in the apartment. The truck was kept from falling into the gulf because it was resting its frame on the concrete support beams that held the pier up. A tv reporter was with his crew driving on the seawall after the storm and saw them. The used hand signals to exchange cell phone numbers and the TV reporter interviewed him and the guy said he thought they had more time because it wasn't supposed to make landfall till midnight or later. He forgot the part about the storm being 700 miles wide.

[Shutterbug]

A the stories surrounding a hurricane start coming out I am always amazed, ammused, and saddened by them. My all time stupid award has several front runners so far but I think the leading contender tus far is a guy who runs the 96th street fishing pier in Galveston. He, his fiancee (maybe ex fiancee by now) and a friend drove to the pier right before the storm, parked their truck on the pier and went into the bait shop on the pier. The storm grew worse and started knocking the floor out of the bait shop refreshment stand and so the went upstairs to the guys apartment above the bait shop. They got stranded and could not leave. The storm tore all the decking off the pier and completely destroyed the bait shop. These three wound up riding out the storm in the apartment. The truck was kept from falling into the gulf because it was resting its frame on the concrete support beams that held the pier up. A tv reporter was with his crew driving on the seawall after the storm and saw them. The used hand signals to exchange cell phone numbers and the TV reporter interviewed him and the guy said he thought they had more time because it wasn't supposed to make landfall till midnight or later. He forgot the part about the storm being 700 miles wide.


:headache:

[Tiggerlover91]

A the stories surrounding a hurricane start coming out I am always amazed, ammused, and saddened by them. My all time stupid award has several front runners so far but I think the leading contender tus far is a guy who runs the 96th street fishing pier in Galveston. He, his fiancee (maybe ex fiancee by now) and a friend drove to the pier right before the storm, parked their truck on the pier and went into the bait shop on the pier. The storm grew worse and started knocking the floor out of the bait shop/ refreshment stand and so the went upstairs to the guys apartment above the bait shop. They got stranded and could not leave. The storm tore all the decking off the pier and completely destroyed the bait shop. These three wound up riding out the storm in the apartment. The truck was kept from falling into the gulf because it was resting its frame on the concrete support beams that held the pier up. A tv reporter was with his crew driving on the seawall after the storm and saw them. The used hand signals to exchange cell phone numbers and the TV reporter interviewed him and the guy said he thought they had more time because it wasn't supposed to make landfall till midnight or later. He forgot the part about the storm being 700 miles wide.
:sad2:

[Juliegirl1]

Hi all from Houston.

I made it through okay with just some minor damage. Galveston is a mess with over 1,500 historical sites damaged and Crystal Beach which is a favorite vacation spot is literally destroyed along with most of Chambers County and parts of Houston. There was a major thunderstorm the day after the hurricane which ended up flooding many parts of Houston that had come through the hurricane okay. There are over 1.5 million people without electricity (over 2 million at the worst point in time) and lines for gasoline are incredibly long. We are being told that we may be without power for three to four weeks. I just went on our local electric company's website to see what the outages look like and only 588,000 people have had power restored. Even if you are lucky enough to have a generator it is difficult to get gas since the gas stations need electricity to pump gas. I've been running mine as little as possible - just enough to keep my groceries from spoiling and to cook dinner.

I have had to go to several different parts of town and my neighborhood (Northwest Houston-Jersey Village) was very lucky - the worst I saw in my area was downed fences and power lines and trees and a few houses missing shingles. In my dad's neighborhood (Southwest Houston-Meyerland) I was dodging downed trees in the streets. Some houses had flooded and 100% electricity is out. In my boyfriend's neighborhood (off I-45 and Tidwell) the flooding is awful. Lots of trees through houses and several feet of water in homes, mostly due to the second storm.

I work in the Galleria which was one of the first places to have power restored so my son and I are enjoying electricity, airconditioning and television for a change. Luckily a cold front came through and it hasn't been too hot here.

Keep Houston and Galveston in your prayers.

Julie Kirk

[JimmyPicker]

Also, please remember those people in Louisiana who got hit by Ike. You haven't really been hearing it on the news, but there are some places, like Cameron Parish, and Plaquemines Parish, and southern Terrebonne Parish who got hit hard with flooding.

I have a link with some photos from the overtopped Plaquemines Parish levee.

http://wingsoverstb.smugmug.com/gallery/5955734_FJpQw#P-1-12

[joshsmom]

I'm reporting from Illinois. Never thought a hurricane would affect me like it did. Although Ike was only a tropical storm when he hit me (and I have NO comparison to the people in Texas, Louisiana, etc.,) he filled up my basement and I've lost a lot. Insurance doesn't know if they will cover or not. I've never had to deal with anything like this before. And I know that I am lucky compared to those that lost everything.

Its truly overwhelming--not knowing where to begin to clean up. Our neighborhood got hit in a weird way--some people had a basement or first floor full of water--others had nothing at all. Very strange. But my water wasn't sewage, so I am VERY thankful for that.

My thoughts and prayers are with those that lost so much more than me. I have to be thankful.

[TigerKat]

I'm reporting from Illinois. Never thought a hurricane would affect me like it did. Although Ike was only a tropical storm when he hit me (and I have NO comparison to the people in Texas, Louisiana, etc.,) he filled up my basement and I've lost a lot. Insurance doesn't know if they will cover or not. I've never had to deal with anything like this before. And I know that I am lucky compared to those that lost everything.

Its truly overwhelming--not knowing where to begin to clean up. Our neighborhood got hit in a weird way--some people had a basement or first floor full of water--others had nothing at all. Very strange. But my water wasn't sewage, so I am VERY thankful for that.

My thoughts and prayers are with those that lost so much more than me. I have to be thankful.

I know it seems overwhelming but trust me you will get through this. It's not easy but you will. I'll keep you in my prayers and if you need to vent or talk feel free to PM me.:hug:

[Boston Tea Party]

Still powerless in Sugar Land. Lost a fence, bathroom flooded, we are lucky. Currently with my parents trying not to annoy. It looks like a giant took a walk through my neighborhood. Has anyone heard from Gina or did I miss her post? I am a bit tired and was skimming... Glad all that have checked in are OK. :goodvibes

[Jenvenza]

Hey everyone! Just checking in! We got back to our home today - not too much damage and we have power and water!! I feel very lucky about that! Things are crazy so I cant write much - just wanted to say we are all okay and I hope everyone else is okay as well! :hug:

[TigerKat]

Hey everyone! Just checking in! We got back to our home today - not too much damage and we have power and water!! I feel very lucky about that! Things are crazy so I cant write much - just wanted to say we are all okay and I hope everyone else is okay as well! :hug:

Glad to hear from you! You are very lucky.:goodvibes

[4greatboys]

Still powerless in Sugar Land. Lost a fence, bathroom flooded, we are lucky. Currently with my parents trying not to annoy. It looks like a giant took a walk through my neighborhood. Has anyone heard from Gina or did I miss her post? I am a bit tired and was skimming... Glad all that have checked in are OK. :goodvibes


Glad you guys made it through pretty much okay. No I haven't seen Gina check in but there is still a lot of area's around here without power. Hopefully she will check in soon.

[Boston Tea Party]

Glad you guys made it through pretty much okay. No I haven't seen Gina check in but there is still a lot of area's around here without power. Hopefully she will check in soon.

Glad y'all are OK as well. You were in my thoughts. :goodvibes

I still can't believe the damage. Nature is truly humbling.

[4greatboys]

Here are some pictures from around my house:

My street once the winds and water started so subside some:
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346/noseybutt/HurricaneIkedamageSept122008008.jpg


This is a common site at people's houses:

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346/noseybutt/HurricaneIkedamageSept122008068.jpg

Gas Station by my house:

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346/noseybutt/HurricaneIkedamageSept122008018.jpg

[joshsmom]

I know it seems overwhelming but trust me you will get through this. It's not easy but you will. I'll keep you in my prayers and if you need to vent or talk feel free to PM me.:hug:

You are so kind. I can't imagine what you've been through and you're offering me support. Makes my heart happy to know there's still wonderful people in the world. You made my day. Thank you.

[4greatboys]

There is a small airport close to my house. This is part of the siding where they keep the airplanes:

http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346/noseybutt/HurricaneIkedamageSept122008063.jpg

A restaurant not far from my house:
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346/noseybutt/HurricaneIkedamageSept122008058.jpg

One of my neighbors--It says "You loot we shoot"
http://i514.photobucket.com/albums/t346/noseybutt/HurricaneIkedamageSept122008069.jpg

[TigerKat]

You are so kind. I can't imagine what you've been through and you're offering me support. Makes my heart happy to know there's still wonderful people in the world. You made my day. Thank you.

My family & I received a lot of help and support after Katrina. Being able to offer it now just feels SO good!:hug:

Deena - Thanks for posting the pics, mother nature is something else.:sad2:

[shovan]

Something that we are all too familiar with, now has a new word!;)


..........Webster's just added a new word to the dictionary:

Hurrication: noun; a spontaneous, out of state vacation taken to avoid the destruction brought on by a hurricane. Usually involving long distance travel, averaging 15 to 18 hours in your vehicle, staying many days, if not weeks, away from home, and maxing out credit cards and/or watching your checkbook rapidly decrease closer to a zero balance, just to come home to no electricity, refrigerators full of rotten food, damaged homes (sometimes by wind and/or rain and flooding), closed grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, schools and hospitals. Upon returning, you find out that FEMA will not reimburse evacuees for expenses incurred, BUT the state does offer SOME people, only those that are eligible (based on income), food stamps for 1 month !!!

[Jenvenza]

Something that we are all too familiar with, now has a new word!;)


..........Webster's just added a new word to the dictionary:

Hurrication: noun; a spontaneous, out of state vacation taken to avoid the destruction brought on by a hurricane. Usually involving long distance travel, averaging 15 to 18 hours in your vehicle, staying many days, if not weeks, away from home, and maxing out credit cards and/or watching your checkbook rapidly decrease closer to a zero balance, just to come home to no electricity, refrigerators full of rotten food, damaged homes (sometimes by wind and/or rain and flooding), closed grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, schools and hospitals. Upon returning, you find out that FEMA will not reimburse evacuees for expenses incurred, BUT the state does offer SOME people, only those that are eligible (based on income), food stamps for 1 month !!!


Hey! We just returned from a Hurrication!!! Good thing we are taking a real vacation is 3 days!!! A Disneycation!!!

[shovan]

Hey! We just returned from a Hurrication!!! Good thing we are taking a real vacation is 3 days!!! A Disneycation!!!

Yep, I'm sick of Hurrications! Can wait for our WDW Food & WineAcation!!!:laughing:

[AlexDurrani]

A the stories surrounding a hurricane start coming out I am always amazed, ammused, and saddened by them. My all time stupid award has several front runners so far but I think the leading contender tus far is a guy who runs the 96th street fishing pier in Galveston. He, his fiancee (maybe ex fiancee by now) and a friend drove to the pier right before the storm, parked their truck on the pier and went into the bait shop on the pier. The storm grew worse and started knocking the floor out of the bait shop/ refreshment stand and so the went upstairs to the guys apartment above the bait shop. They got stranded and could not leave. The storm tore all the decking off the pier and completely destroyed the bait shop. These three wound up riding out the storm in the apartment. The truck was kept from falling into the gulf because it was resting its frame on the concrete support beams that held the pier up. A tv reporter was with his crew driving on the seawall after the storm and saw them. The used hand signals to exchange cell phone numbers and the TV reporter interviewed him and the guy said he thought they had more time because it wasn't supposed to make landfall till midnight or later. He forgot the part about the storm being 700 miles wide.

Here is another one, there were people staying at the hotel on a pier on the gulf. the entire entry ramps to it were either destroyed or were dangerous. Your right that was a dumb idiot.

[AlexDurrani]

Yep, I'm sick of Hurrications! Can wait for our WDW Food & WineAcation!!!:laughing:

Can't wait till my Mousefestacation.:rotfl:

[rickyratsmom]

Woot, made it through Ike and finally have my roadrunner back!!!! Still running on generators though but we are hopeful to get power soon (before we go broke buying gasoline).. We did fairy well only minor damage the the usual downed trees and limbs. Others here were not so lucky, my father, my son, and a friend lost everything, their homes were destroyed bythe rush of water up the Neches River. It is so sad to see... we helped my son remove all his destroyed furniture etc. There is a foot of foul smelling mud covering everything. I know many others are going throught the same if not worse situations and I pray for all of you!!

[TigerKat]

Woot, made it through Ike and finally have my roadrunner back!!!! Still running on generators though but we are hopeful to get power soon (before we go broke buying gasoline).. We did fairy well only minor damage the the usual downed trees and limbs. Others here were not so lucky, my father, my son, and a friend lost everything, their homes were destroyed bythe rush of water up the Neches River. It is so sad to see... we helped my son remove all his destroyed furniture etc. There is a foot of foul smelling mud covering everything. I know many others are going throught the same if not worse situations and I pray for all of you!!

My heart aches for you and your family. I'll keep y'all in my prayers.:hug:

[AmazingGrace]

Would anyone know anything about Jamaica Beach? We stayed at this RV park and I'm curious as to how they fared.
My prayers go out to all that are affected by Ike.
http://jbrv.net/

[TigerKat]

I'd also like to ask about Orange. It's ironic, we stayed there during our Katrina evacuation and made some friends that we can't get in touch with.:confused:

[rickyratsmom]

Orange did not do well at all, the downtown area is devastated with the water from the storm surge. However, I do believe that most people survived and that is all that really matters!!

[TigerKat]

Orange did not do well at all, the downtown area is devastated with the water from the storm surge. However, I do believe that most people survived and that is all that really matters!!

Thank you so much.

[Boston Tea Party]

:rotfl2: Hurrication! I love it! (Wish I could take one...)

[yankeechick]

well im staying w/ my grandparents in quitman texas. we lost everything:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: all what we have is in the car.

[Camping Cat]

well im staying w/ my grandparents in quitman texas. we lost everything:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: all what we have is in the car.

I am so sorry. This is the nightmare all who live along the gulf coast fear. May you find the strength to move on and pick up the pieces and begin again.

[4greatboys]

well im staying w/ my grandparents in quitman texas. we lost everything:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: all what we have is in the car.


I'm so sorry.

[Shutterbug]

well im staying w/ my grandparents in quitman texas. we lost everything:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: all what we have is in the car.

My thoughts and prayers for you.

[Shutterbug]

http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/ike/photo-comparisons/images/Bolivar_pairLocationsMap.jpg

http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/ike/photo-comparisons/images/Ike_PhotoPair_crystal_bch_TX_Loc1.jpg

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http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/ike/photo-comparisons/images/Ike_PhotoPair_crystal_bch_TX_Loc2.jpg

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http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/ike/photo-comparisons/images/Ike_PhotoPair_crystal_bch_TX_Loc3.jpg

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http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/ike/photo-comparisons/images/Ike_PhotoPair_crystal_bch_TX_Loc4.jpg

[TigerKat]

well im staying w/ my grandparents in quitman texas. we lost everything:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: all what we have is in the car.

My heart just breaks for you. I'll pray that you & your family are given the strength and support to make it through this most difficult time.:hug:

[Jenvenza]

well im staying w/ my grandparents in quitman texas. we lost everything:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: all what we have is in the car.


I am so sorry. :hug: But I see where you are staying and we staying in Mt. Vernon with my grandparents. We have to go through Quitman to get there. I hope everything starts to get better for you soon. I am so sorry again.

[Jenvenza]

I'd also like to ask about Orange. It's ironic, we stayed there during our Katrina evacuation and made some friends that we can't get in touch with.:confused:

No, Orange did not do well. I heard they were having to do water rescues there. Hopefully everyone was able to get out safely.

[Boston Tea Party]

well im staying w/ my grandparents in quitman texas. we lost everything:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: all what we have is in the car.

Yankeechick,

I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts. :hug:

[brerrabbit]

well im staying w/ my grandparents in quitman texas. we lost everything:sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: :sad1: all what we have is in the car.

yankeechick,

I am so sorry for your loss. What part of Galveston did you live in? We have numerous friends with houses on the west end past the seawall and they all think they have total loses. Another family friend had a 50 year old house in Gilcrest that had weathered everything for the past fifty years and near as they can tell from the pictures its completely gone.

Hang in there and if there is anything I can do for you given I'm still in the area, let me know, PM me for anything.

Charlie

[TigerKat]

Shutterbug - Those before and after photos have left me speechless and stunned.:sad1:

[Shutterbug]

Shutterbug - Those before and after photos have left me speechless and stunned.:sad1:

Yeah...I think that was the same part that had already started flooding on Friday. As I was watching that I had a feeling since they already were flooding in that area....they might be gone with the storm.:sad2:

[brerrabbit]

If you look at a map look at a map of Galveston Island or an overhead satilitte view you will see that from the far east end of the island extending westward is a 17 ft high seawall protecting the biggest part of the island, where all the businesses, resturants, and historic areas are located. It runs I think about 15 or 16 miles before it ends. There is a lot more island past the seawall and all of the pictures posted are from that area. The highest point of land on that part of the island is only a couple of feet above sea level. When I was growing up and going down there to fish there was not much in the way of development on that end of the island. Today beach homes stretch all the way to the far end of the island where San Luis pass is located and the toll bridge to Brazoria County and eventually Freeport. Some of these homes are valued over a half a million dollars. I know they are great and wonderful vacation spots but I still seriously question why they build them. Over the years parts of the west end of the island have gotten eroded down to only about 100 ft from the gulf to Galveston Bay. Developers have built up the area by dredging sand in to create more area to build. They are fighting Mother Nature and the one thing that time should have taught us is that in the end she always wins. Hopefully the only thing lost there during the storm was property and no lives. One of the big reasons Galveston allows the construction is for the tax revinue it generates. In Texas we pay property taxes based on the assessed value of the house and land. We pay a little under 3% of the value in taxes each year. We have homested exemption laws that allow us to keep our primary residence from going up in value for tax purposes more than 10% a years, however there is no such exemption available for second homes and vacation homes so their values have skyrocketed in the last 10 years which means Galveston has collected record amounts of taxes. An article in the Houston paper yesterday says that as of the day after the storm half of Galvestons tax base has been destroyed. It's going to make findin the money for the restoration of Galveston that much harder.

[yankeechick]

I lived in the west-end of Galveston. we have not been back to galveston,but we have seen pics of what was our home. well, we heard there is a lion roaming around crystal beach and he is very hungry. we also know that they are keeping all the flooding deaths a big hush. i was told they sent in 250 body bags for just crystal beach. i know that there were a bunch of flooding deaths in jefferson county-bridge city and orange area and they still don't know the count in that area bc of the gators:scared: we also heard that the cows are going crazy in crystal beach from drinking the salt water. well, we are taking it day by day. it's so hard to deal w/ the insurance company. we have flood , windstorm ,hail and hurricane and they still don't want to pay for anything:mad: if anybody has heard all of this stuff please let me know. i don't know what is true and what is lies. we have chosen to still go on our disney trip in dec,so the kids and get things off their minds for a little while. this will be our first trip to disney world.

[TigerKat]

I lived in the west-end of Galveston. we have not been back to galveston,but we have seen pics of what was our home. well, we heard there is a lion roaming around crystal beach and he is very hungry. we also know that they are keeping all the flooding deaths a big hush. i was told they sent in 250 body bags for just crystal beach. i know that there were a bunch of flooding deaths in jefferson county-bridge city and orange area and they still don't know the count in that area bc of the gators:scared: we also heard that the cows are going crazy in crystal beach from drinking the salt water. well, we are taking it day by day. it's so hard to deal w/ the insurance company. we have flood , windstorm ,hail and hurricane and they still don't want to pay for anything:mad: if anybody has heard all of this stuff please let me know. i don't know what is true and what is lies. we have chosen to still go on our disney trip in dec,so the kids and get things off their minds for a little while. this will be our first trip to disney world.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.:hug: Unfortunately I wish I could tell you that it gets easier dealing with the insurance companies but it was not for us.

I haven't been able to watch the news at all this weekend so I'm not sure what's true and what isn't. Hopefully someone else here will be able to help.

Good for you deciding to keep your vacation plans in tact. We didn't after Katrina and I regretted it.

I know it's hard to believe but y'all will get through this my friend.:hug:

[mom2rb]

Yankeechick, what is the reason that they don't want to pay? It seems like you have every possible insurance. I have all those policies too. I didn't have any damage but the thought that I wouldn't be covered scares me to death.

[Camping Cat]

Yankeechick, what is the reason that they don't want to pay? It seems like you have every possible insurance. I have all those policies too. I didn't have any damage but the thought that I wouldn't be covered scares me to death.

The flood insurance people will say it was wind damage (some will even go so far as to say it was wind-driven surge) that destroyed your home so they don't want to pay you. The homeowners insurance people will say it was flooding that destroyed your home so they don't want to pay. See the little game they play? And this could go on for months and months while they stall payment and argue who is responsible. Meanwhile, all you want to do is rebuild your home. You can see why so many homes in New Orleans still sit untouched and ungutted.....in the same condition they were in when the waters went down after Katrina. I have no faith at all in insurance companies anymore. But I keep up my policies....I guess I'm still going on blind faith. :confused3

[AlexDurrani]

My heart goes out to all those that have suffered through this Hurricane. I was one of the fortunate 3% that still had power after the storm and because of that I spent the last weekend including last Thursday and Friday volunteering at the Houston Food Bank to help out those that are recovering from Ike. FEMA in its great wisdom (yeah right!) has decided to close nearly all of their Points of Distribution (PODS) in the Houston area and sadly to poor folks that have had to either dish out cash to stay in a hotel or barely live from month to month on social security are finding that they do not qualify for assistance and when they get their power back they are still in need of food and water. I really do not want to rant hear on FEMA so I will leave it at that. If anyone feels that they would like to help in donations, the Houston Food Bank is taking donations in both money and food items. Google Houston Food Bank for the website to get the information on where you can make the donations. If you feel up to volunteering they are right now open 8am to 6pm every day till they feel that the need for a continuing 7 day a week operation is not necessary. Again check the web site for further details on volunteering too.

[TigerKat]

My heart goes out to all those that have suffered through this Hurricane. I was one of the fortunate 3% that still had power after the storm and because of that I spent the last weekend including last Thursday and Friday volunteering at the Houston Food Bank to help out those that are recovering from Ike. FEMA in its great wisdom (yeah right!) has decided to close nearly all of their Points of Distribution (PODS) in the Houston area and sadly to poor folks that have had to either dish out cash to stay in a hotel or barely live from month to month on social security are finding that they do not qualify for assistance and when they get their power back they are still in need of food and water. I really do not want to rant hear on FEMA so I will leave it at that. If anyone feels that they would like to help in donations, the Houston Food Bank is taking donations in both money and food items. Google Houston Food Bank for the website to get the information on where you can make the donations. If you feel up to volunteering they are right now open 8am to 6pm every day till they feel that the need for a continuing 7 day a week operation is not necessary. Again check the web site for further details on volunteering too.

FEMA makes me ill. I'll be googling Houston Food bank and donating tonight. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all affected. :grouphug:

[AlexDurrani]

FEMA makes me ill. I'll be googling Houston Food bank and donating tonight. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with all affected. :grouphug:

I talked to many of the folks at the Food Bank and they appreciate any help they can.

[wano]

now my insurance company ups my coverage due to increased property values . then they want me to pay a deductible on the new coverage amount saying that is my property value . i haven't had anyone apraise my property lately, just because they think it's worth a certain amount doesn't make it so . then to make things better if you have wind damage from gustave and water damage from ike,then it's two seperate claims with two deductibles. why should i pay a deductible according to the new coverage amount instead of the actual apraised value of my house?:mad:

[AlexDurrani]

Unfortunately even though I am never going to support the insurance companies I have been pointed out several times that I have to read that fine print on the coverage that says that the deductable is per claim/incident, in the case of Gustav and Ike, and not per year like health insurance. Just be glad we have insurance. Florida has a hard time with insurance and if I am not mistaken so does most of Louisiana now.

[4greatboys]

How is everyone doing with your repairs?

Our insurance adjuster is finally coming out today. I'm hoping he give us a decent amount for our repairs. My friend had one adj come out who tried to give her a horrible settlement and they had a lot of damage.


Yankeechick how are things going with you?

[Juliegirl1]

Beware if you have Allstate. I heard from my contractor that they are denying the majority of roof claims and that you will have to refile. They screwed up my claim and didn't send the amount of money that they put on my claim - they shorted me by over $1,000. Also, when the adjuster was out (a car adjuster!) he told me that they would cover 600 square feet of my roof and on my claim they only put 300 square feet. When my roofer came out he said that my roof sustained much more damage than that and he has been wonderful, sending the adjuster a report complete with pictures showing the damages. They are sending out a second adjuster to look again.

I ended up getting a home loan from the SBA - I'm getting a new roof, insulation, sheet rock repair, new fence and new flooring. I will probably also have my house repainted and some exterior work done to fascia boards and vents that were damaged. Thank goodness for the SBA - at least they are helping. Fema denied everything. I'm just thankful that my house is liveable.

[4greatboys]

I'm thankful our house is liveable too and thank goodness since we are still waiting for the adjuster. I have State Farm. However one of my best friends has State Farm too and she lost her entire roof and had lots of damage to the walls inside. Her adj tried to give around $3800 which wouldn't even come close to what her repairs will be.

I never even filed anything with FEMA. I have only heard how they are screwing everyone over. I saw on the news that the percentage of claims approved by them was around 9%. 9%! :rolleyes:

[Camping Cat]

This was a photo making the rounds in New Orleans after Katrina. Dark humor, but it might hit home with some of you who are battling FEMA now.
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u41/ikoiko124/WaitingforFEMA.jpg

[4greatboys]

This was a photo making the rounds in New Orleans after Katrina. Dark humor, but it might hit home with some of you who are battling FEMA now.
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u41/ikoiko124/WaitingforFEMA.jpg


:rotfl:


Yep that pretty much sums it up.

[Gina]

Hi all... glad to hear you all are getting back to normal too, but sorry to hear about the insurance problems. I'm still in limbo there. My insurance (the part that covers this sort of thing) is through Texas Windstorm, and I'm still waiting to hear what they're going to pay. The adjuster was very nice, and luckily I don't have any roof damage aside from two missing shingles, which he couldn't believe. Almost every other house in our neighborhood is sporting a lovely blue roof tarp. But my house is smaller, and I think was sheltered a lot.

But I still have a large horizontal tree in my backyard, no fence, and shredded window screens. It's really weird... looking around our neighborhood, you'd think that Ike hit last week. There are still huge piles of fence pieces and carpet and whatnot, the majority of fences are still down or completely gone, and all the roofs are still messed up. But it could be so much worse... those Galvestonians have such strong spirits! I know the city will come back stronger than ever.

I hope everyone gets their insurance woes cleared up quick!!


-gina-

[Jpgirl]

hey all!! Still waiting for a check. The adjuster finally came out 10/31. I wasn't too frustrated because our damage was all outside-patio/pool. My backyard looks like heck and the birds are still upset about loosing 3 trees (me too!). We did have to get on our agent a bit. The adjuster wasn't going to make allowances for us taking down 2 trees. We had one uproot in the back but the tree dude had to take 2 more (not healthy) down to get to the fallen one. The crane just couldn't reach it unless the trees were gone or go over the roof-ummm no thanks didn't want to chance a 100 ft tree falling on the roof. Anyway we've been with State Farm since 1973 and never made a claim-not house or auto (the wrecks we've had were the other guy's fault). So he talked to the adjuster who upted the check a bit to cover replacing the patio and replastering the pool.
We were lucky and I'm grateful. It was an adventure-one I don't want to repeat but probably will cuz I'm not moving from paradise!!
Take care y'all

[4greatboys]

Our adj came 10/30. Said to give him a couple of weeks to give us the amount (he needed to check on a couple of things). He seemed nice enough now I guess we just wait to see if he was fair.

[eyor44]

I lived in the west-end of Galveston. we have not been back to galveston,but we have seen pics of what was our home. well, we heard there is a lion roaming around crystal beach and he is very hungry. we also know that they are keeping all the flooding deaths a big hush. i was told they sent in 250 body bags for just crystal beach. i know that there were a bunch of flooding deaths in jefferson county-bridge city and orange area and they still don't know the count in that area bc of the gators:scared: we also heard that the cows are going crazy in crystal beach from drinking the salt water. well, we are taking it day by day. it's so hard to deal w/ the insurance company. we have flood , windstorm ,hail and hurricane and they still don't want to pay for anything:mad: if anybody has heard all of this stuff please let me know. i don't know what is true and what is lies. we have chosen to still go on our disney trip in dec,so the kids and get things off their minds for a little while. this will be our first trip to disney world.

YankeeChick
So sorry about your loss. We dealt with Katrina. Didn't lose everything, but it was devastating.
Please contact me. I am on the Mac Stroller swap with you and need your info. PM didn't work.

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow! Glad I found this thread. We've lived around the Gulf Coast forever. In 2004 when Hurricane Ivan hit my parents who lived over 100 miles inland had a large bull pine tree go thru 2 stories of their house. State Farm really did a job on them. Four years later and their "repaired" home is pretty much a big lump of mildew, mold, and falling down. Great job, State Farm. Way to go. :thumbsup2 In 2005 we lived in Covington, Louisiana and I worked in law enforcement. I worked thru Katrina while my family all evacuated. By the grace of God our home only had very minor damage. We had no power for almost a month. I went 3 weeks without seeing my children which was brutal. Lots of lessons learned. We knew so many people who had no flood insurance loose everything to rising water, breeched levees, etc. The entire thing is one of those big defining points in the timeline of life for me. Then this year we lived in Port Arthur, Texas for Ike. Yep. Our neighbors said that they are noticing a pattern with us and suggest we move far away from them. LOL! This time we weren't so lucky with the damage. Our home was brand new, just completed at the end of June. Ike blew a large section of our roof down to plywood and we had subsequent water damage down thru the walls on both stories of our house. Bummer. I still don't complain because with this storm & Katrina I know so many people who lost so much more. We had Farmers Insurance on this one. Because so many of the houses in the new neighborhood weren't yet sold the general contractor came thru with their subs the day after we returned home. We were #2 on the roofer's list. The claims guys kept telling us to just have the roof tarped so their adjustor could take pics. Our roof is so high. From what we knew with our experiences with previous storms we knew if we tarped up and waited it could be months before our roof was fixed. Instead of paying the $800 to tarp up the roof and then also pay for the repair down the road we did what was logical and had the stinkin' roof fixed. The roofers took our camera up on the roof and took dozens of great pics. When the adjustor did make it out a couple weeks later he thanked us because his ladder wouldn't even have reached. Farmers was okay to us. They refused to pay for the replacement of our carpet even tho it was totally soaked. They said they'd pay for new carpet pad but not carpet. They wanted us to get the carpet cleaned. My question is how do you replace the pad without taking up the carpet??? Duh! We fought them and got them to pay for part of the carpet. It took numerous calls from the husband and me and a whole lotta language I wouldn't want my mother hear me use. I think those fellas sittin' in those nice offices up there in Oklahoma need to come down here and get a dose of reality. One of them even asked my hubby why we didn't put a fan on the carpet upstairs if we had a generator??? Obviously he doesn't realize that there are priorities and keeping food cool is pretty important when in survival-mode. LOL! Anywhoo, we ended up doing a large amount of the work ourselves. We had to rip sheetrock, insulation, flooring, etc. out of the front side of the house on both stories. We did our own mold/mildew treating and insulation...paid subs for the sheetrock reinstallation/finishing...paid flooring people to come do the carpet upstairs...did our own base/crown mouldings...and did our own painting. The hardwood floor downstairs still needs to be ripped out and replaced because it's somewhat bubbled by the front entry. It's still in good shape other than the slight flaw. For now it's going to stay how it is. Farmers got us a check within about a month of the storm. I felt like they refused coverage on stuff that was clearly covered in the policy but they'll argue to the death over interpretation. Whatever. In life there are some things ya just gotta let life take care of. I told the key adjustor guy that karma is real and we all get what we give in life. I told him when he found himself in a predicament someday when he was on the receiving end of the royal screwin that he was so blatently and shamelessly putting on us that I hoped he remembered us and understood that he reaps what he sows. In all I'd say that in spite of our 3% deductible, after we paid all the expenses and added back in the insurance check we probably were out maybe $2K. Of course that doesn't include the cost of evacuating (twice) and supplies to survive without power, etc.

We ended up having to postpone our WDW trip the 2nd week of December to the end of January. That was tough but we needed some extra time to somewhat get ourselves together financially and get the house where it needed to be. We can't wait to get back to "da World". What a huge reward for all our efforts!

To y'all down there in Galveston or in other hard-hit areas, let me know if there's anything we can do to lend a hand. We've helped many a friend do demo work and rebuild over the years. We're not above coming in and doing what we can to help out. I like for my sons (11 & 12) to get involved and understand the bigger picture. Working with their hands really makes a difference with them, too.

[Juliegirl1]

Yaaay! I finally got my new roof finished - just in time for last night's rain. Now the contractors are going to start on the fence which I desperately need - my dog keeps escaping the yard. After the fence is done, sheet rock repair, fix broken boards and paint the house and finally end with new floors! We're on a roll!

I'm also taking this opportunity of moving junk back and forth to declutter and get rid of sooo much stuff I don't use. I got a huge deduction on my taxes for taking stuff to Goodwill. It's funny how that stuff adds up quick!

[4greatboys]

Congrats on finally getting your roof done. We have 2/3rd's of our fence back up but we still have some other stuff we need to get done.

[Boston Tea Party]

Our fence is up. We went through two "fly by night" workers who stopped calling us back. Finally went with a big name company. It cost more, but we thought all would be "OK" since they did our neighbor's fence. Well, they put a new fence up in an afternoon - shoddily. DH called and complained and had them redo some of the work and now it's OK. We'll see how it handles the first big blow.

Finally we are not on slab in the bathroom. :thumbsup2 That tile looks awesome.

The other tiler screwed up the kitchen floor, though. :rolleyes:

Why is it so hard to get people to do the work right???

[Gina]

So glad most people are finally able to get repairs done! Stupid insurance companies have taken their sweet time to get checks to people. I finally was able to get a crew out here last weekend. Yay to having a fence again!! They also fixed the roof and replaced the broken skylight. Now I just have to replace the window screens. It looks like Godzilla tried to come through the windows, I guess from tree branches and who-knows-what hitting them.

Still lots of blue roofs here in my neighborhood, and still some down fences. But progress being made is good!

Good luck to all of you still dealing with the aftermath. Let's pray that this hurricane season is blissfully and completely uneventful.

[drakethib]

Can anyone explain what and what not can be deducted on income taxes regarding Hurricane Ike?


I was blessed wereas our damages were no where as severe as many so we did not make a claim to keep our insurance from going up on rates.

Thanks

[4greatboys]

No I don't know. We have been trying to figure that out too.

[rickyratsmom]

Can anyone explain what and what not can be deducted on income taxes regarding Hurricane Ike?


I was blessed wereas our damages were no where as severe as many so we did not make a claim to keep our insurance from going up on rates.

Thanks

Casualty Losses

Affected taxpayers in a presidentially declared disaster area have the option of claiming disaster-related casualty losses on their federal income tax return for either this year or last year. Claiming the loss on an original or amended return for last year will get the taxpayer an earlier refund, but waiting to claim the loss on this year’s return could result in a greater tax saving, depending on other income factors.

Individuals may deduct personal property losses that are not covered by insurance or other reimbursements but they must first subtract $100 for each casualty event and then subtract 10 percent of their adjusted gross income from their total casualty losses for the year. For details on figuring a casualty loss deduction, see IRS Publication 547, Casualties, Disasters and Thefts.Affected taxpayers claiming the disaster loss on last year’s return should put the Disaster Designation “Texas/Hurricane Ike” at the top of the form so that the IRS can expedite the processing of the refund.

If you use a tax program even the online free Tax Act program it is in the program to help you figure your deduction. Hope this helps, I haven't started mine yet but had to do the same with Rita and as I can remember is was quite straight forward :);)

[Loverly]

Hello Ike survivors!

DH and I visited Galveston a couple weeks ago and were gladened by the restaurants and hotels that are opened. There is still a lot of places not even cleared up and possibly never reopened.

What really, really shocked us is Downtown Historic Galveston.

:sad1:
It is a ghost town (Cleaned up , but NO shops or restaurants opened-except a couple right next to the cruise ship).....I can't imagine the Cruise Ship folks having anything to do while docked there.

[Juliegirl1]

Well last night I got home to find out the fence contractors had cut the power lines from my house to the transformer. When we turned on lights inside the home they were very dim, it smelled like an electrical fire and the tvs wouldn't come on. Outside, there was a blue flame on the ground wire from the electrical box. Centerpoint came out and said that the effect of cutting the lines was like a lightening strike and I probably lost some of my electronics. :sick: Thankfully the contractor has insurance so once he has repaired the wires I guess I'll find out what still works when I get home tonight. I am assuming that he would be responsible for replacing anything that might be damaged, right?

[4greatboys]

That sucks. I hope you are able to get it fixed quickly and without any problems from them.

[Juliegirl1]

The contractor did do the repairs on the electrical drop from the house to the transformer. I still don't know if he is going to cover the electronics that blew - luckily it was only a $55 wireless router. Seems like everything else is okay.

[4greatboys]

Is everyone ready for the start of Hurrican season, June 1?

[Camping Cat]

No way! I'm never ready.:scared1:

[drakethib]

Is everyone ready for the start of Hurrican season, June 1?

Hurricanes have been banned for the Gulf Coast for 2009 - 2010 until further notice.

[Gina]

Hurricanes have been banned for the Gulf Coast for 2009 - 2010 until further notice.


I couldn't agree more!!

[Camping Cat]

Hurricanes have been banned for the Gulf Coast for 2009 - 2010 until further notice.

Oh, I LIKE this! :banana: From your mouth..... :-)

[drakethib]

Has anyone bought one of those home backup generators?

We are thinking about one but wanting to hear some feedback

[4greatboys]

We have not but we had been thinking about it as well.

[P.I. Squirrel]

Some friends in Mississippi bought a home that the previous owner had installed a generator. I believe it was a 25 kw, gas powered wired through an automatic transfer switch. The owner had said it costs about 10 grand installed. Before I moved away a year later, they had used it twice, and it worked fine, powered the refrigerator and A/C, and never bogged down once. The only drawback is that, after most hurricanes, gas is hard to come by. So, the best scenario for a generator is an outage of a day or less, unless you have a supply of gas.

If you get a transfer switch, have a licensed electrician install it.

[4greatboys]

It's our 1 year anniversay post Ike. I hope everyone was able to get back to normal.