Stupid Stupid Stupid!!!!!

[WDWHound]

I just got off the phone with my brother in-law. He lives just north of Houston in a mobile home park in a low lying area. I told him he was welcome to come join us in Round Rock rather than risk the storm turning his way, which would put him right middle of a Cat 4 or 5.

He refuses to leave. He says the storm will go west of him, and even if it doesn't, "it wont be that bad". I told him to think about all the people who had thought the same thing before their homes had been destroyed in Katrina. He told me not to worry. He has a wife and three little girls, the oldest of whom is 6 years old. To make it worse, now my MIL wont leave because he wont leave.

I am sitting here pounding my fists into my desk. Sure, the odds are good that they may be alright, but what happens if the odds go bad. By then it will too late to leave. Damn it! The TV has been full of examples of what happens when you guess wrong about what a hurricane can do. Can the man not beleive the testemony of thousand of people who said "we thought it would be OK but we were wrong".

Coming up here would cost him nothing but his pride. He needs to get his family someplace where he knows they will be safe. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!

ARRRRRRRG!

 

[phorsenuf]

Truthfully, If I were you and thought they would be in harms way I would drive there (no matter what) and at least get the children. If the adults don't want to leave, that is their decision, but its not fair for the kids to have to stay there.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm very sorry.

Too bad you can't use Honore's phrase...don't get stuck on stupid.

Very awful.

Even with a tragedy such as Katrina that citizens are so willing to just be complacent.

Would your sister come if you went and got her? (or is this wife's family?)

Just keep hammering it in (but maybe with a gentle hammer).

 

[debster812]

Ugh--Hound, I'm sorry. I just got off the phone with one of my regional IT engineers in Houston. He's already battened down at home, and he, his wife, and their cat are going to ride out Rita in our Regional Office. They have showers, a small kitchen, a gas grill, and there is a generator coming from Lewisville on Friday morning. (Purchased from Home Depot, coming back to corporate on one our trucks). There are probably going to be about 25 or so folks riding this out in our office building.

I'm sorry your BIL is being so damn stubborn. Anyway to lay any guilt on him about his mother not leaving now because of him (In addition to his wife and daughters?)

 

[alabamaalan]

My co-worker had a brother in the Florida panhandle who had the same attitude with Ivan.

She was just as angry because of his kids. His stupidity was his own choice, of course.

Fortunately no one was hurt, but the frame of his mobile home was bent, his shed was destroyed, and a large limb fell on his truck.

Hopefully he is far enough inland not to matter, but you can still continue to offer - especially to your mother.

All of our Texas relatives are roughly in the Dallas area so I assume they don't need to worry as much.

 

[WDWHound]

I'm very sorry.

Too bad you can't use Honore's phrase...don't get stuck on stupid.

Very awful.

Even with a tragedy such as Katrina that citizens are so willing to just be complacent.

Would your sister come if you went and got her? (or is this wife's family?)

Just keep hammering it in (but maybe with a gentle hammer).

Its my wife's brother. I am trying to remain calm when I talk to him. If I try to force it, he will get defensive and I will have no chance of talking him into leaving after that.

As for going to get the kids, thats just not an option. He simply wouldn't allow it, period.

 

[phorsenuf]

As for going to get the kids, thats just not an option. He simply wouldn't allow it, period.

I'm sorry to hear that. Well, keep talking to him. Maybe as the storm gets a little closer and they hear more warnings and such they will decide to go. I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[WDWHound]

I'm sorry to hear that. Well, keep talking to him. Maybe as the storm gets a little closer and they hear more warnings and such they will decide to go. I will keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

My concern is that if we waits too long, he wont be able to get here. The roads in Houston are already a parking lot.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I need to stop venting and start praying.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Stupid and sad, Don. Very sad.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

As for going to get the kids, thats just not an option. He simply wouldn't allow it, period.

So many many many people had this SAME mentality. And they are now dead b/c they didnt' evacuate when they could have. There is one case where someone ended up riding the storm clinging to a tree b/c their house was taking away.

Good luck in convincing him, I will think happy thoughts

Before the storm breaks apart as it hits land..it that thing is going to practically cover the entire eastern part of Texas. He's in for a long long wait in his home.

 

[RadioNate]

That's just terrible. I have two friends in Houston who I think have left and we've got people coming up from Corpus left and right.

Of course in DHs business 1/2 of them are going towards Houston, Corpus and Port Lavaca luckly he'll be here coordinating it all.

 

[missypie]

Generally, folks in Houston don't think they live close enough to the coast to worry about a hurricane. (Of course, the roads there flood at the drop of hat.) I've been told that no one in Houston carries hurricane insurance.

 

[cardaway]

"It's not that the wind is blowin, it's what the wind is blowin" - Ron White

Since it's too late to send him a copy of Tater Salad, hopefully he'll come around before it's too late. Likely around the time he starts seeing reports of large flying objects, like trailers.

 

[Lyn5]

It isn't fare to endanger the kids and your MIL. So, even though you know he is not making the best choice and are probable angry (I would be too) ....couldn't you bribe him or guilt him into leaving? anything to proctect the kids... like telling him your DW made a bunch of food and got beds ready for them and it would break your hearts if they didn't come or that your kids (if you have them) are excited to see grandma and the cousins....somehow make him think that he is doing you the favor to leave and go to your home, that way he might forget his foolish pride.

 

[Deb in IA]

Very sorry, Don.


I've always had a strong sense of self-preservation, and especially with young kids who are dependent on you, I feel you owe it to them to take the best care of them and protect them.


Hope they will listen to reason.

 

[missypie]

I just found out that our Houston office will be closed Thurs. and Friday. I sure wish Rita could make landfall somewhere no one lives..but I won't mind getting the rain on Saturday!

 

[MsDisney23]

I am so sorry that he will not come! Maybe try to call him back again! He might just chane his mind.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Have you talked to his wife yet? Maybe reason with her and she can knock some sense into his head - or at least take herself, the kids and the MIL to your place

 

[Chicago526]

Any possibility that he could send "the women folk" to you and HE can stay and get blown away? Or at least send your MIL and the kids? I wouldn't be as worried about two young adults, but little kids and an older lady is a differant story. Good luck!!!