can someone help me figure out the possible impact of Rita on this

[fleabert]

area of Houston. My cousin has been forced by a lack of gas and other issues to ride out the storm. the star indicates the area of town where she lives. I can't seem to find any good maps that show what she might be in for...

[Carolab]

1. Here's a thread that may help...a West Houston DUer asked for same.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4846176&mesg_id=4846226

[Erika]

3. Lack of gas?

She deserves her fate for not planning better. Freeper off.

[Carolab]

4. Think you meant to post on another thread. n/t

[fleabert]

6. she was in Dallas on business and barely made it back home to get her pets

she boarded up her house with the help of her neighbors, helped them do theirs, on her way out of town, all the gas stations were either closed or were out of gas. she had to make a decision she could based on her situation.

she is at home, stocked up on water and food for her and her pets, her pets in carriers so they don't freak out and run away if it goes bad.

what would you have her do, sit on the highway in gridlock in 90 degree weather and run out of gas, fifty miles out of Houston with animals in the car?

[hlthe2b]

7. MY best wishes and thoughts for your friend & her beloved pets..

I understand fully. May all at risk come through this... I truly don't understand how people can be so damned judgemental after NOLA... Some people just don't have a choice....and we don't have a responsible plan to evacuate major cities at risk...

so, for those copping sanctimonious attitudes--it may well be you some day left behind....

[NoBushSpokenHere]

2. Good hurricane forum

http://www.hurricanecity.com check out the message boards, the people who post there are mostly weather people (I couldn't spell meteorologists this late) lol

[pk_du]

5. Given that the system seems to be kicking more N by NE by

the hour and she's out in the N/NW corner , I'd sy she's in as good a place as she can be - but she's still likely to lose power/water for days -so she better be prepared.

[amerikat]

8. she is about 70 feet above sea level. She won't need to be

plucked from the roof by a helicopter.

seems to be about 70 feet above sea level. I think that is good. If you can give me the neighborhood name or a street address I may be able to get a more exact number.

[fleabert]

11. check your pm...nt

[FloridaPat]

9. Here's some things they can do.

Fill everything in the house up with water including the bath tub. Every bit helps. Have lots of water if she can still get it. Have food that doesn't need cooking and can last without rotting too fast.

When the storm comes in, stay in a room without windows. Bring in a matress and pillows if possible. Bring in the pets with you. Keeps the door closed and if no door put something up. If possible, have a radio that works on batteries and make sure the cell phone is charged. Get everything breakable on the floord and covered with clothing or pillows, or whatever. Take everything off the walls. If she or he is in the bathroom and it gets rough, get in the tub and pull the matress over them. That's if it's too bad to go outside. Bring a hammer with them. Looks like that was a requirement for NO. If they have a gun, bring that and ammo. Also, if they have a chain saw, keep that handy. Pray a lot and try not to panic.

They had stories of people coming out of their bathrooms after Andrew went through and that was the only thing left of their homes. Of course, those in Mississippi didn't even have that luck.

Wish them the best of luck.

[fleabert]

12. thank you for that wonderful advice. I will pass it all on to her.

:hug:

[tulsakatz]

10. that's probably a better idea........

.........than trying to deal with all of the traffic!

Right now it looks like it's going to go over Beaumont but since this storm covers such a large area, she'll probably still get a lot of wind and rain. Although she's lucky.........that is, if it does go near Beaumont because that would put her southwest of the hurricane and they say if you're east of it, that most of the damage happens there.

Good luck!