Another Evacuation Story, this one on I-10 headed west.

[Bouncy Ball]

This one is not mine, either. I had to take out some identifying details which were too much information, but other than that, here it is.
______________________________________________

It's 7:52 am and we are NOW here.

We left at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

I'm too worn out...bewildered...angry...upset...worried and so forth right now to detail it all. I need to process it all. But I'll tell the base part.

In short, we started out with full gas tanks. Yes, we prepared. Yes, we followed evacuation orders.

AND THEN THEY ABANDONED US!!!!!!!!

It took us over 24 hours just to GET OUT OF HOUSTON.

The evacuation plan was shit.

We are fortunate; our cars are pretty fuel efficient. But even they couldn't sustain stop-stop-slight go-stop traffic. It was pretty hard on the body too.

The kids were MAJOR troopers. Absolute angels. You cannot believe what all they endured for two days STUCK IN A CAR with nothing more than Gatorade, water, apples, tortilla chips, and granola bars.

And we were the lucky ones.

We could not find gas...and believe me we tried.

My mother---thank God---met us in a small town called __________. She brought food and reinforcements. We felt sure we could find gas because at that point we were down to a quarter tank each. But we thought we were far enough away from Houston.

No dice.

We ran out of gas in a town called Columbus. And we had to abandon the cars on the side of I-10.

We met TONS of other people in the same situation.

As per instructions, we all called the number on the back of our driver's licenses for roadside assistance. Cell service was very spotty, the line was overwhelmed with calls, and getting through took four people dedicatedly dialing for an hour.

At 9 p.m. Thursday night we were PROMISED gas trucks were on the way to help stranded motorists.

I listened in growing fury to the news as officials call this a "good evacuation" and "running smoothly other than traffic and so just be patient" and "we won't leave anyone stranded."

ALL LIES!!!!!!!!!!

We waited until 1 a.m. and then started calling police, TX DOT, and other agencies.

There is NO GAS. NONE on the way.

Their advice?

Find shelter.

They suggested we CAMP OUT on the highway in our dead cars.

Us and HUNDREDS of others. People were desperate, hungry, thirsty...it was like a horror movie.

Our nearest neighbor was a sweet lady who had just had cemo that day and she sat in the heat waiting for that promised gas.

How did we get out?

We took what we could from our cars into my mother's. She had enough gas to get us to outside Austin, where we were able to get 5 gallons.

By amazing miracle, we were able to get back to the cars.

The gas got us to here.

So we are lucky ones.

The highway (I10) is a parking lot of dead cars and bewildered, exhausted and paniced people hwo followed what they were uspposed to do.

They are LYING in the media.

This is a clusterfuck and when that hurricane hits today I'll tell you where the casualties will be: stcuk motorists who tried to evacuate and broke down (car overheated, broke down, ran out of gas, etc.)

Perry is evil and I want him to spend one red minute on our shoes over the last two days and then see how much he likes his platitudes.

I can't even tell.

It was like post-apocalypse. You couldn't even buy food or get medical care.

My baby is still sick and we are leaving now --- and may I say how DISGUSTING I am --- to go to the doctor.

We're okay. We're safe. We're very fortunate.

I felt ill to abandon one more thing after abandoning my house and belongings and it is a weird relief to have my car at least.

I feel sick sick sick to think of all the people back there who are stuck.

Police won't help.

TXDOT won't help.

I don't knwo about other evacuation routes personally. I do knwo people who made it out other ways much easier than us. 14 hours to Dallas is the best story I heard.

Anyway clearly I am typing fast and very upset. I do have to go.

We are okay and I'll update as I can.

[DemsUnited]

1. Oh my God, what a nightmare for you and your family!!!

I am so glad you're finally safe but those poor people who are still abandoned, what are they going to do??

[tjdee]

2. This is NOT BouncyBall's story...

She got this in an email.

[Bouncy Ball]

8. Thanks, but like that other person said,

this is my friend's story. She emailed me and I asked for permission to post it here. She gave an emphatic yes.

Thank you.

[DemsUnited]

12. Glad you're okay, heart still goes out to your friend!!

[bluedonkey]

10. Jesus H.....!

what is happening to this country?!

One thing I know,we better make up our own 'stay safe'plan when this is all over because we are all abandoned by these fucks!
How many of our own do we have to lose before we run THEM out of town?

[wellstone_democrat]

3. Good Lord

Please tell your friend or relative that we will spread this far and wide---Perry must pay for this. And Dewhurst, that asshat was on the radio last night telling everyone how much better Texas was at all of this and what bullshit. I just met someone in Lubbock who spent 18 hours getting out of Houston alone. They were moving so slowly that he and his wife got out and pushed the stopped car whenever they move a few feet for several hours just to save gas. They look 10 years older than they did last month when I saw them in Houston---and this was after some sleep and a shower.

this is just evil. Its shameful.

[KittyWampus]

4. yeah, the media seems to have blown all that horror off like no big deal

sympathy and hugs for all involved in the ordeal.

[tjdee]

5. So what are they going to do about it?

the thing is, you know, things like this happen.

Do we ever learn?

I am so very glad that the two people whose stories you've posted made it through okay, and I can't imagine dealing with that (I'm getting anxious just thinking of it)--- but what is going to happen a month from now? Two months from now?

Why don't we come up with better plans, better resources, etc?

I wonder about the human race sometimes.

[Bouncy Ball]

7. I hear ya.

They're the only two I really personally know who evacuated. I have two other friends who decided to stay with their young children, they are east of Houston and I'm worried sick about them.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. I know how you feel

I have Sufi sisters that live in Houston, and I don't know if they evacuated or if they are staying. My husband and I were just down that way in April for a Dances of Universal Peace camp, and I can still see their smiling faces. I hope they are all ok.

[tblue37]

38. My brother evacuated.

He was in Angleton, between Houston and Galveston. I thought his 12-hour trip to Austin (usually it takes 2 hours) sounded bad--but it was nothing compared to the ones I have been reading about!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Bouncy, please let these folks know

that I am glad they are safe and that I am praying for those still stuck on the road.

[Blue Belle]

11. I can't believe how the Media is under reporting this...

These are Americans... being left stranded onthe side of the road. I guess the media doesn't get pissed until they see the dead bodies in the street or become overwhelmed by the stench of the dead. :grr:

[ninkasi]

31. At least the local stations in Houston are doing a good job

Frustrated people are calling them, telling them where people are stuck, or having other problems, and the newscasters are appealing to the audience to assist if they can. People have called and taken in strangers, taken water, food, whatever they could do. It's US, the people, who are doing this, not the officials.

Isn't this a huge crock of shit, to be happening in this country? And to think that Chimp goes around pontificating to other countries about how they should live. Arrogant bastard.

[Blue Belle]

34. I'm glad the local news is on it...

I'm glad the people are banding together. I suppose the Goveorner can stand by the old, "For the first 72 hours, you're on your own" bullshit excuse, but remind me again, who is in charge of opening up the freeways?? Who is in charge of evacuation routes?? I'm sure no one will take responsibility for it... and the blame will be passed to the citizens - AGAIN.

At what point are we going to hold the responsible parties accountable??

Take care of yourself Ninkaski... I hope you are not in the path of the storm.

[brokensymmetry]

13. Nominated. Everyone needs to see this.

And a :kick:

[DisgustedTX]

14. Enough melodramatics please - no need for 300 evacuation posts

These "stories" all amount to the same thing - people FAR away from any immediate danger before a drop of rain falls or gust of wind blows.

[Bouncy Ball]

15. Wow, that's awfully nice of you. Wait, no it's not.

Both of the stories I posted are from people who live very near the Texas coast and east of Houston, not Buffalo, Texas, which is about 100 miles north of Houston.

And when they left, on Wednesday, Rita was a category five monster.

You think they should have just stayed with their children?

Melodramatics, my ASS.

:eyes:

[DisgustedTX]

26. Yes - both are HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY NOW

A bit melodramatic to say the least.

[Bouncy Ball]

27. They wrote those stories ABOUT their struggle to get out.

And they both expressed sadness for the people that COULDN'T get out.

Also, I posted these so that people could read them as a counterpoint (real experience) to the happy crap some of the news media are spewing out about how wonderfully this evac is going.

Yeah, they're hundreds of miles away now, these stories are about that PROCESS. If you find it melodramatic, please feel free to hit "Hide Thread." You've been on DU long enough to know about that option, surely.

Gosh, I hope you forgive their dramatic turn of phrase after they sat in their cars for 36 hours, ran out of gas multiple times and thought they might have to ride out a hurricane sitting in their cars with toddlers and croupy babies all night.

As Steve Martin would say (with a change in pronoun) EXCUUUUUUUSE THEM!

That melodramatic enough for ya?

[Lindacooks]

33. Do you have ANY idea how dangerous it is to have stranded cars

on a freeway? There are going to be tons of accidents especially as the backups begin to clear.

Do you have ANY idea how dangerous it is to have PEOPLE walking around on a highway? There's a good reason pedestrians aren't allowed on highways and freeways - it's DANGEROUS.

And this also points out Governor Goodhair's total inept incompetence; another Repuke failing the people of the United States. It's VERY important to get this message and these stories out there.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[karlrschneider]

17. Jesus loves you, too.

:eyes:

[wellstone_democrat]

19. lmao

n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. Still out in the sweltering heat, though

[txindy]

22. Thanks for the inspiration. I just gave this thread its fifth nomination

Off to the Greatest Page it goes.



Discover the Ignore Thread option. :eyes: Do feel free to use the Ignore button on me, too. I'd be oh-so-honored.

[spuddonna]

23. Well, see, the people that are still stuck on the side of the roads?

Yeah, well they haven't been able to get to the internet to post yet...

When they tell their stories of how they almost died, or watched their fellow citizens die because the govt abandoned them and did a sucky evac job, will that be ok with you? :eyes:

Maybe you aren't getting the idea here - these people are posting how LUCKY they were that they got out, because they watched so many people who were stuck and WEREN'T getting help...

If you have an alternative view, or information to post that shows the citizens are being helped now, please do post it, because I could use something to lessen the gnawing anger in my gut...

[SammyWinstonJack]

29. Rude ring a bell?

:eyes:

[Pacifist Patriot]

30. Having evacuated from 2 hurricanes rated cat 4 when I left....

You are ignorant as all get out and ice water must run through your veins.

[illuminaughty]

37. Really? My nephew just took a can of gas to someone stuck in

Lufkin. They had to do it with a loaded weapon in their hand. People were approaching with weapons as soon as they saw the gas can. It is very dangerous situation.

[BamaBecky]

39. I wish folks like you would "go away"...n/t

[AuntieM1957]

20. It took my sister's family over 28 hours to get to Little Rock

from north Houston.

They ran out of gas around Nacogdoches. Coasted to a gas station that one of the local cops told her about. Other cops had already yelled at her to get the vehicle out of the way.

She said the problem was the gas station was closed, and only taking credit cards. Luckily, she has one. But many others didn't. She used up her credit letting others get gas - and they all wanted to pay her with their cash. "It was all people helping people" she said. She had plenty of water and food, and shared with others.

There was no help from the authorities except that lone cop. When they finally opened up the contra-flow lanes, she says no one was there to guide them. They didn't even stop the southbound traffic completely. She says traffic was going both ways for a long time. Terror and panic.

She saw people camping out on the side of the road - informal tent cities. Babies being held out of overheated car windows so that they wouldn't die from the heat inside the car. More than one vehicle fire. No roadside assistance from any law enforcement. Again, only citizens helping citizens.

They tried side roads, and local law enforcement made them go back to the evac route. No DPS or local cops on the evac route. No tanker trucks.

The story she told me differs sharply from the story that the governor is telling.

I'm delighted that she and my 7 year old nephew are safe with my cousin. But after talking to her, I'm questioning the veracity of the news reports made this afternoon. They reported that they're getting people off the highways to shelters. God, I hope that is true.

[slackmaster]

21. Seems to me the problem is capacity of the roads

The evacuation plan must not have accounted for how many cars would be heading out on which roads, and how many cars those roads can handle. If the roads can't accommodate the traffic load, the plan to rely on private automobiles to that extent is flawed.

Am I missing something here, or is it that simple? Either the roads need to be widened, or some completely different concept needs to be employed.

[txindy]

24. The contraflow lanes needed to be open early and within Houston

They waited until yesterday afternoon and opened them only from Conroe on up. Lunacy. Sheer, incompetent lunacy.

The way to evacuate a city was demonstrated in New Orleans before Katrina. Contraflow lanes were opened early. However, our 'governor' was trying to show - and loudly broadcast - his self-proclaimed 'superiority' to the gov. of Louisiana. Now, that went well, didn't it? :eyes: Gov. MoFo's simply demonstated - AGAIN - what a useless Ken doll he really is and he's almost certainly torpedoed any chances he has of getting re-elected.

[RevCheesehead]

25. Thank you for sharing these stories...we need to hear them.

I don't even know what to say - I'm just horrified that things are this awful.

Can anyone in America truly say they feel safer now???

[CitrusLib]

28. Thank you. This is a personal friend of mine.

I happen to think it's important that the media is not presenting an entirely accurate story. Fuel trucks on the way? Opening both directions of the highway? Too little too late. I just heard from yet another friend who describes absolutely NO help from any agency whatsoever. No local police, no state police, nothing, nada. Never saw a single person helping who wasn't a fellow evacuee. What a fuck up.

[area51]

32. Tell me again.

Why do we pay taxes if the govt. just leaves us on our own? :mad:

[Beam Me Up]

35. We are no longer governed, we are now ruled. (Read that here on DU and

it is SO TRUE and becoming more true all the time.) It is now every working class man and woman for him and herself -- until a more perfect union is formed. The old Republic is dead and BUSH CO SLIT ITS THROAT.

[moc]

36. Oh no! I'm so worried about the man my dentist told me about

I had to have a crown put in Thursday a.m. My dentist told me about a friend of his from Kemah (near Galveston) who just got out of MD Anderson a few days ago after a bone marrow transplant. He's still in reverse isolation and can't go to a shelter because of the risk. He was driving up here to Dallas to stay with my dentist.

I hope he's okay. :cry:

[Junkdrawer]

40. Any word on how these people made out?

:shrug: