Hurrican Ike

[DBII]

Hello guys and Lucky 13 also. My employer has cut off the website so I can not vivist often. In case you had not heard, the Texas coast was hit by a little rain Saturday morning. It was a mph short of a Cat 3 hurrican. Galveston island was having waves over the seawall 12 hours before the storm hit. The Storm surge was between 18 and 22 ft high. The island was completly flooded. Subdivisions were washed away! I am waiting to hear the status of the Lone Star Flight Musuem. They have several planes that have not been restored to flight status.

Houston-Galveston are is a very large place. Houston alone has a little over 4 million people. There is over 3 million people in Houston without power. The past 3 days has reduced that number to a little over 2.5 million. It will take over 4 weeks to get everthing repaired. Without power there is no water, sewer, fuel pumps or phones. This does not include Galveston or Orange Texas, in the Golden Triangle area. The total area without power, is the size of the state of New York. Texas is freaking big!

I cannot tell you how proud I am of the county. Despite FEMA ******* around, electric crews started arriving Monday from 36 states. There are over 10,000 power worker from as far away as D.C. and more are on the way. These crews are working 16 hour shifts to get us power.

This moring while I was sitting in line for gas for 90 mins, a convoy of 10 electrical trucks drove through neighborhood with Canadian flags on the back. Thanks guys.

DBII

 

[ccheese]

Looks like you guys got your hands full down there. Prior to Ike coming ashore I posed the question, to the mods, as to who was from Texas. I remembered Thorlifter is from Dallas, and we knew there were others..... just couldn't come up with names.

I hope you and yours are ok. If there is something that we, as a forum, can do, let us know.

Charles

 

[DBII]

Thanks Charles, I'm glad that I made a lasting impression on the group....

I am one of three people that made it to work today. I am sitting here with nothing to do but they are paying me. The company is on generators and there is no drinkable water. The AC is working and I am enjoying the place. The family is ok, no loss other than food in the freezer; coworkers and friends not so lucky.

Everything is a pain but after 14 years in the army, hurry up and wait is second nature. I think about how bad it could have been and everything is ok. There have been several persons on the radio and TV that I would love to slap around with a tuna. The non-stop whinning about nothing.

If anyone has extra pocket change, the Salvation Army could use it. I know the Red Cross is short of money but their donations ends up in a general account and it goes everywhere. The Lone Star Flight Musuem is going to need help also.

 

[Lucky13]

Was wondering what had happen to you buddy... Please forward my best well wishes and all that to your family, friends and colleagues! Does Salvation Army and Lone Star Flight Museum accept PayPal?

 

[Becca]

Good to see that you are o.k., DB..I wasn't sure where in Texas you were from.

I have been on pins and needles..I'm from Bridge City, in the Golden Triangle. The town sits at 6 ft below sea-level. My momma went North(Mauriceville) Rode out the storm. Got back down there yesterday, no electricity of course..just swamp reed everywhere. Shes on a high spot in town so not too much water, flooded the den. I'm really relieved it wasn't worse..alot of the town was underwater.

FUNNY thing is She'd finally gotten the roof done and floor replaced and gotten through all the FEMA red-tape from Rita.

 

[DBII]

Lucky, I did not see a paypal link on the web sites. The Lone Star Musuem will have a donation link later today. I have been a member there with my father for over 15 years. It is a family thing. My stepmother would work in the gift shop or take tickets during airshows while My father and I watch the planes. I started going to CAF airshows in Galveston in the early 1970's,d*** I am getting old. During WWII, B-24s flew anti-sub patrols out of Galvston with P-47 escorts. I have spent thousands of hours at the airfield with my father 8)

I am glad that you mother is doing well, Les's Bride. I hope that you never get tired of that title, you two newlyweds . I have friends in Harden County, Caney, Lumberton area. Orange got hit hard again. I cannot believe how many houses still have blue roofs from Rita. Hi. I am from FEMA and I am here to help...quick grab the shot gun.

If you and Dan ever make it over to visit your parents let me know. Normally I would take you to Lone Star Flight Musuem. It is only 2 hours away. There is also a WWII sub on the Island.

DBII

 

[RabidAlien]

Glad you're doing okay, DB. My wife has family down in Conroe, they're all doing fine from what I can tell. Anything we can do for you guys down south? I plan on hittin the Bloodmobile here in the next week, dunno what else can be done from Dallas.

 

[DBII]

Rabid Alien, any chance of running an extension cord down to my apartment? The wild turkey is a little warm and hot beer is a crime. Dallas has sent some crews down. The cities east of here was hammered hard and not in a good way. Giving blood is always a good plan, thanks. The LSFM will welcome any donation you can make. Red Cross and Salvation Army are also good.

DBII

 

[Airframes]

My thoughts and prayers are with all who are affected by the Hurricane. Here in Britain, we don't have a climate, only weather, most of which is wet. But it annoys the hell out of me when some people here bitch about the weather, without thinking about the trauma and downright inconvenience alone of such catastrophic events of nature. Can't do much to help from here, but I hope everything turns out O.K. in the end.

 

[Becca]

If you and Dan ever make it over to visit your parents let me know. Normally I would take you to Lone Star Flight Musuem. It is only 2 hours away. There is also a WWII sub on the Island.

TRUE, that!! I love Sea Wolf Park..I remember running around inside of it and playing on the guns, my brother and I with our sailor hats. I haven't been to the Lone Star Museum, yet...I haven't gotten to take Dan to Galveston, yet. I spent a good deal of time down there as a kiddo. HELL, I even fell off the sea wall!! Landed RIGHT under the yucca bushes. I do know how to fall down! Texas will be fine..we are a tough brood.

 

[Amsel]

My power just came on today. The linemen are working on the easy fixes first so more people can get power back online. I am very proud of the people in my area. Many people prepared for the storm very well. My street is like a BBQ cook off and campout. The destruction is horrible but many here in the Woodlands and Spring areas began cleaning up the same day.

I love my electricity, but the time with my family and friends without any modern day interference is priceless.

 

[DBII]

Hi Amsel. Sounds like you are in my neighborhood. Are you in The Woodlands?
We were lucky this time.
Les's Bride. you know Galveston is not a real beach. Got to take him down south.
DBII

 

[Amsel]

Hello DBII. I agree, we got lucky. The same thing that is making it hard to restore power is the thing that saved us, trees and lots of them. I am in Spring. Good to see a neighbor on this excellent forum.

 

[Becca]

Ya know..it can be like a surreal block party..I agree..Amsel.

DB..I was born in Victoria..lived there half the time. Dad would take us to the Padres and Mexico. HOW far south should I take him?!

 

[Becca]

Right on, Amsel.. I lived off of 1960 for abit.

 

[evangilder]

Glad to hear ya'll are okay. That was one heck of a storm!

 

[Thorlifter]

I ate dinner at a restaurant tonight and the waitress is from Houston. She got out and said she has had enough. She said Crystal beach is completely gone. Right on Seawall there is a Hooters out on a pier over the water. Well, there was a Hooters on a pier. It's gone. So is the pier.

 

[Gnomey]

Glad to hear all is OK, certainly took a battering from the storm.

 

[DBII]

We where lucky this time. Glaveston and Orange Texas took it on the chin. Crystal Beach was not as bad as the intial reports but it did loose serval buildings. My area, north of Houston, is up to 35% with power.

Thorlifter, not only did the Galveston Hooters wash away, the two Hooters on my side of Houston was closed down because of no power. I happened to be in Humble last night and noticed that their Hooters were open. I was surprised to see the ladys from my location working there. It seems like everyone was driving over to the Humble location and they needed extra help. There is nothing like Hooters to take your mind off of what is troubling you...Should the Hurrican report be in Breaking News?

 

[wilbur1]

Glad to hear your ok Db Hooters yummmyyy