A boarded up home sits along the beach as Hurricane Ike approaches Friday, Sept. 12, 2008 in Galveston, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) (David J. Phillip - AP)
Nearly 3M people without power as Ike hits
"The unfortunate truth is we're going to have to go in ... and put our people in the tough situation to save people who did not choose wisely. We'll probably do the largest search-and-rescue operation that's ever been conducted in the state of Texas," said Andrew Barlow, spokesman for Gov. Rick Perry.
Sadly, Galveston became ground zero at 2:10am if I remember correctly, and once again, some 100.000 people decided to play russian roulette with mother nature. I hope no one perishes during the rescue mission. Galveston is really a hurricane barrier of sorts and like New Orleans, really no place to build a city. However, the state of Texas and the city of Houston (where people evacuated, some people visiting family who live here on our street) were well prepared and I'm sure that most of you with cable will be or have been following the developments and will know more than me.
For us here in Austin it will be business as usual, I do not expect any great winds or even rain (we were so hoping). It is very overcast which is a nice reprieve from all that sunshine. Today is also family day and we'll just be doing the regular family activities.
Check out this cool Harris County rain gauge map where the brunt of Hurricane Ike was felt; Harris County Rain Gauge
I probably will be 'out' for the weekend. See you on Monday as I'm contemplating another blog change. Not necessarily the 'personal' one I was talking about , but consolidating the round table and austin permie one. I liked the responses I got on greening the desert and thought perhaps I ought to just put these two together..
have a safe weekend guys.
so, you didn't even lose power?
ReplyDeleteDK, not at all. We never even got rain! The worst hit areas were the ones you saw on tv and who ever did not get reported (i.e. Austin) was not effected. We had neighbours with family from Houston and some of them are planning on heading back today as their neighbourhood was only effected by power outage but not the debris and destruction that you might've seen on tv.
ReplyDeleteIngrid
Ingrid
ReplyDeleteGlad no problem. Weasel in Dallas said it was a non event. Bought that beer for nothing!
I keep hearing that the 2.5 million that evacuated should stay out for weeks because much of Texas is a swamp. Who knows what there houses will be like then? 2 million without electricity! If the damage area is as wide as they were saying then in area damaged this could be worse than Katrina!
Hi Ingrid
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you did not have any problems. I have noticed the pictures and stories and monstrous traffic jams as people evacuate. Hopefully most will be safe, and that the damage relatively minimal (without wishing to disrespect the devastation for some) including damage to the oil refinery infrastructure.
Best wishes
I am glad it was a dud for you guys. I see they are still rescuing people who refused to stay and they are pissed. What the hell do they expect? They were told they were on there on for at least 3 days if they did not listen and evacuate.
ReplyDeleteSome areas are still under water and will be without power for weeks or months and people are told to stay away. Who knows what they will be dealing with. I am glad you guys are lucky!
and we need the rain, don't we? I walked the greenbelts this morning and everything was so dry.
ReplyDeleteIngrid, I thought I would stop by and remind you that today is Constitution Day. It was signed 221 years ago today.
ReplyDeleteLindsay, how nice of you to stop by. Isn't it incredible the kind of destruction it brings? However, you in Australia must get your share with those typhoons don't you?
ReplyDeleteJim, there will always be people..those are the ones that make it dangerous for others..
Maria..dry dry dry. which reminds me, I better not forget my new 'tree babies' in my backyard..they're definitely going through the wringer..they'll be solid come next year when they survive this heat and drought..
Robert, am on it.I emailed you to request my log in info as I cannot retrieve it..got a post topic though..
Ingrid
http://speaking-the-truth.blogspot.com/
ReplyDelete