Ike

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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.

 

[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!

 

[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!

Glad to hear from you! You are very lucky.

 

[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.

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.

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:

This is a common site at people's houses:

Gas Station by my house:

 

[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.

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:

A restaurant not far from my house:

One of my neighbors--It says "You loot we shoot"

 

[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!

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

 

[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!!!

 

[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.