who here has family in the Texas gulf coast area?

[charlie and algernon]

they could all use some prayers, good thoughts/vibes tonight and in the weeks ahead.

my Aunt and Uncle live in the Houston area and am really hoping and praying that they get out in time.

[LittleClarkie]

1. My aunt lives there

though I haven't spoken to her since my mom died. Somewhat estranged. Hope she and my cousins are alright, just the same.

[texpatriot2004]

10. Hey LittleClarkie, did you get my message about Rita yesterday

What part of town is she in? I live on the West/Northwest side.


My message:
Hey LittleClarkie, sorry, it's just that I don't think it's time to move
on from Katrina. We have the attention span of a gnat. I am not usually so prickly but I am so disgusted by it all. I am in Houston, yes, an inlander. My folks are in the Clear Lake area and could be threatened by Rita. I am West/Northwest of Houston.

[LittleClarkie]

19. Yeah I got it, thanks

I think we're all a bit prickly at the moment. Scary shit going down.

[texpatriot2004]

21. Indeed. I hope you'll forgive me. I wish your family the best now.

[LittleClarkie]

22. Thanks. It's okay. I don't even know what part of Houston she's in

I've never been there. She's always come up here to Wisconsin.

[texpatriot2004]

2. I live here and I have family here too.n/t

[charlie and algernon]

4. are you all going to be able to get out?

I pray you are, may you stay safe this coming week

[texpatriot2004]

9. Thanks for your prayers. We are inland. We don't plan to leave.

At least we aren't planning to leave at this time. We are in West Houston, about 30-50 miles West/Northwest of Houston. We aren't in an area that floods. Wind is the real threat...likely in excess of 100 miles per hour. It is a wierd feeling. The calm before the storm. They say Rita is one of the worst in history. I don't know. I have family here too. My Mom and Step-Dad and a cousin and his girlfriend, plus my stepfathers family. There are all these urgent messages but what do you really do to prepare? We've got water, flashlights, candles, radio, food, we've put things up outside. I just don't know. It's a very strange feeling. Thanks again for the prayers.

[doublethink]

14. Keep this link ....... HurricaneHousing.org ......

here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4845415

if you or anyone else in this thread, or anyone else you know in the area decides to get out, please pass it on. Stay safe.

[cynatnite]

3. Cousin in Houston...

She went to stay with friends in Dallas.

[joanne]

6. Have relatives in Houston

They are making their way to Dallas.

[Blue_In_AK]

5. We do...

My husband's brother lives in Houston, his sister is in The Woodlands, and his mom and dad are in Crockett further north.

[melody]

7. aunts, uncles and cousins here, too

[Coyote_Bandit]

8. Houston area

they left today to stay with friends near Dallas.

Also have family in Louisiana who thankfully were spared by Katrina.

[Lorien]

11. Aunt, uncle and cousin in Houston

they're smart, though, and I'm sure they'll get out in time.

[AlCzervik]

12. Friends, my former neighbors that i can't get in touch with

[GoodSpud]

13. Mother, Brother various inlaws...

Mother just arrived in Nacogdoches took 9 hours plus from southeast Houston area.

Brother due to head to central Texas tomorrow at 4:00 am.

In-laws are headed to Dallas area.

Still looking for a nephew and his wife who are supposed to be headed to Austin.


I am not a theist so I won't pray with you but I WILL think good thoughts and cross my fingers...

Best of luck all,



TDP

[bigluckyfeet]

15. Jefferson County Here

Still holding on,packed to leave if I have to.

[GoodSpud]

17. Man you are between the proverbial rock

and the hard spot aren't you. Don't want to head east. Shouldn't head west....

For what it is worth I found your 'official' evacuation map. Follow this link:

http://www.co.jefferson.tx.us/em/20040708_em_map.pdf

Big news... It says to head north...

Hang in there and move like crazy if you have to go.


TDP

[WatchWhatISay]

16. I'm about 30 miles north of Houston

Things are crazy here. Long lines at the gas stations, IF they have any gas, store shelves half empty. Most everything closing by tomorrow if not already.

I stopped by the Exxon station to get coffee this afternoon. The said they had received 800 gallons of gas at noon today, before that they were out. Employees couldn't wait till it ran out because people were rude, short tempered and getting irrational. One car hit another in the parking lot and a fight ensued. They were so glad to see someone who didnt want gas they wouldnt let me pay for my coffee. They said it wasnt fresh, because they hadnt had time to make fresh coffee since that morning. Tasted fine to me.

I am not going anywhere unless it is still headed straight for Houston and is above category 3 on Friday. Then I will probably leave, but only if I can make my mom go. She doesnt want to leave. She is 75 and just came down with shingles. It is contagious to immune suppressed people.

Really, this far inland the biggest danger is tornadoes or a tree falling on my roof. I am not in a flood prone area. It would be really miserable if they electricty went out, but we could manage. I'm as prepared as I need to be, unless the stores get restocked with batteries and charcoal.

If any DUers closer to the coast want to come stay with PM me. If we leave you can come with us or stay as you choose.

[Catherine Vincent]

23. We're close to Spring.

West of 45 near Kuykendahl/Rankin. I keep thinking we'll be okay also but we'll decide tomorrow afternoon if we'll leave for OkCity. That was the only place to get reservations. I don't want to get stuck on the interstate with all the traffic. When Alison hit, it flooded very little on my street. If it's triple the rain as Alison, my house may just make it from taking in water. We will be doing some heavy praying.(insert praying smiley here)

[Liberal In Texas]

18. My son is evac-ing with his GF as we post. See the Texas fourm:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=180x20450

[lavenderdiva]

20. We live in southwest Houston, and are planning on staying...

we have plenty of water, flashlights, batteries, food, propane, cars are filled up with gas...

We have guests from Katrina staying with us, so now we are all going to try to withstand Rita together.

The area we live in hasn't flooded in over 30 years, and isn't in a storm surge or flood plain area. However, we are planning on moving the cars to a high-rise garage, if need be, and of course, covering the windows with plywood. All the necessary preparations.

Please keep us in your prayers....

[SeattleGirl]

24. My husband's cousin and family live in Katy

Which is about 30 miles west of Houston. Mother-in-law checked on them, and they have lots of food and water, and are on higher ground, so not worried about flooding, but have concerns about winds. They are prepared, though, so I hope they get through it okay.

[texpatriot2004]

25. We are near Katy. Best of luck to your family there. n/t

[SeattleGirl]

26. Thanks texpat

And also to you and yours! If good thoughts and prayers can do any good, you have a whole lotta good coming your way from me! :hug:

[ninkasi]

27. I live just north of The Woodlands

and a bit south of Conroe, and my husband and I will probably leave in the morning. All of our kids are here, but grown, and some will stay with each other, one might stay with a friend in Austin. I have a niece in Fredericksburg, a cousin in Brenham, and friends in Austin, so should find a place without much worry.

All of you...please...stay safe.

[Mabus]

28. Not a blood relative

but I've got a great friend who lives in Houston. I've spent time down there and had a good time. He lives just north of I-610.

And I still haven't heard from my NOLA friend Kami.

I've had way too many sleepless nights lately.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

29. I do

I have literally dozens of family members in the area. Close to half of them are going to come and stay with me while Rita strikes.

My home will be crowded but filled with love. :loveya:

These are all my in-laws... Got rid of the hubby but kept the family. :)

[texpatriot2004]

30. Okay, I am 71.2 miles from Galveston n/t

[regnaD kciN]

31. My wife's uncle and aunt live in Houston, too...

...and they're evacuating to Austin, where my sister-in-law and her family live. (Even there, I think they should all move further west -- according to the predictions they're hearing, Rita should hit the Austin area still at least a Cat1. No worries about storm surges that far inland, of course, but I don't know if the buildings there are designed for hurricane-force winds. :scared:

[anarchy1999]

32. I do. My 17 year old daughter and my ex, north of Beaumont. I feel

safe in knowing though that they will be at the "family refuge" close to Lufkin. I'm worried for all our DU'ers that are staying. Please head out. It's just not worth staying. If you must, see how it goes through today. If it continues on its current path with only a small weakening, leave. PLEASE! Keep in mind this baby is 300 miles wide across. Tornadoes in every direction.

on edit:
I stayed through Alicia in '83. Don't stay for this one.

[DemExpat]

33. Lots of family and friends in the Houston area....

my girlfriend and her husband and pets have packed up their RV and are headed to the Austin area today....they live near Clear Lake/NASA area....:-(

Aunts, uncles, lots of cousins, my older brother , my husband's sister and family on the West side of Houston, not leaving town.

I would be terrified with this monster bearing down!

DemEx

[MichaelHarris]

34. My entire family

lives on the coast about 2 miles from Galveston.

[illuminaughty]

35. My family isn't sure what to do

Mom and I live here in Kansas City, but my brother, nieces and nephews and their children all live South. Many on a ranch in Corrigan, Texas and all others just north of Lake Charles, LA.

My brother usually evacuates to Texas, but not this time. And they're telling everybody not to even think of trying to stop anywhere south of Dallas. Of course, LA has no room. So they may all be paying us a visit. That would be the only positive thing to come from all this mess.

Take care everyone. My niece said it took 8 hours from Houston to Corrigan today, bumper to bumper on a normally empty highway.

[texpatriot2004]

36. The traffic is horrible, extremely horrible much worse than usual.