Who's thinking about what they're going to do/where are they

[babylonsister]

going to go in TX? I'm wondering if, living in Houston, Austin would be safe. If a Cat. 3 heads this way, I'm out of here.
I'm also wondering about our new neighbors who just arrived from New Orleans who don't own cars. Galveston has a plan, I hope everywhere else follows suit.

[PDittie]

1. We made reservations at a hotel in Dallas today

for a week, starting Friday. I'll transport my in-laws up by auto and Mrs. Dittie will revise her returning flight from Chicago to land in D-FW instead of Houston that evening if it hits us.

Even if we don't flood, we'll be without electricity (which means no A/C, no cooking, no ice, no fridge) for a few days.

[derby378]

11. Hey there, Dittie

PM me if you can when you reach Dallas.

[fudge stripe cookays]

26. Which hotel sweetie?

We can try to meet up and make your visit a little more bearable with friends around!

FSC

[intheflow]

28. Sounds like a solid short-term plan.

I'm praying for all of you that this will be a (relatively) short-term displacement. At least Houston doesn't sit in a levee-surrounded bowl. That should allieve some of the long-term problems inherent with New Orleans.

Take care, Friend! :hug:

[Geoff R. Casavant]

2. We have friends

in Austin and Cleburne -- they will take us in.

Austin should be far enough away. I think we'll evacuate if a mandatory order is given for Houston or if it's a Cat 3, otherwise we'll stay.

Just bought lots of canned food and bottled water, and tomorrow I get an extra propane tank for the outdoor grill.

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. We're heading north if it's a direct hit in Galveston

If we get skirted, we're going to the in-laws not far from here. Brick house MUCH better than trailer!

[WolverineDG]

4. my friends in corpus

are loading up on supplies. myself, i'm stocking up on water & easy to make food (ie, no electricity). even though i'm considerably inland, we tend to get smacked by the storms too. not enough to evacuate, but still. i'm keeping my eye on this one, since i've got plans to be in dc this weekend.

dg

[tammywammy]

5. My family lives in Beaumont/Pt Arthur

Some of them are going to drive up here to DFW for a weekend visit. :)

The others will make their own plans to Austin, San Antonio, or Tyler. And I'm sure at least one uncle will have to stay behind and work at the refinery.

[Saphire]

19. My family lives there too, and have already left to go north, but

not having any luck with hotels. Luckly have more family to take them in in Tyler.

[Lisa0825]

6. I'm going to stay with WestHoustonDem...

I think her area of Houston is high enough to ride out the storm. Plus, she's kitty-friendly, and I've got furkids depending on me! :-)

[Richardo]

7. Where's WHD?

We're in Cypress, trying to determine if that's far enough away...

[Lisa0825]

8. west side, outside the beltway.

I think Cypress would probably be far enough out, unless this storm turns into a monster, and as long as you are not in a flood-prone area. If it goes cat 4, I'm hittin the road! I'd be OK with riding a cat 3 in Houston on high enough land, but that's where I draw the line!

I would also consider tall trees near you. If you have any bad feelings about treets around your house, a night in a hotel may still be a good idea.

[Richardo]

9. We're surrounded by pines.

My concern is flying tree limbs. We don't have a lot of shallow-root trees like oaks, and I think the tap roots will keep the pines upright, but loose limbs could be a problem.

Plus we will lose power and therefore water (we're on well and septic).

[tavalon]

20. It's now a cat four

Time to pack up the car.

Also, be aware that Austin will likely get a number of spawn off tornadoes.

[intheflow]

29. Well, if you're not leaving Dodge,

at least you'll be with a friend in the western-most part of town.

Although I'd rather read that you're all leaving: you, WHD, her daughter, your cats... can't remember if she's partnered, but if she is, of course her partner as well. I just met you all--can't lose you yet! Wish I was independently wealthy, lived in more than three rooms, could fly you all to Denver where we'd watch Rita on tv and never hear the wind or lose power once. Margaritas would be on me--all night long and very strong.

Take care of yourselves! Be safe! :grouphug:

[WestHoustonDem]

33. Hi intheflow

Lisa's on her way to my house but that alone may take her all night. We're probably going to Austin in the morning.

[intheflow]

34. I'm glad to hear it.

You should contact GOPisEvil. He's an Austinite, and I hear tell he's in DC at the rally this weekend. If e has no cat allergies...

...and I'm sure he'd appreciate me volunteering his house to you! :rofl:

I imagine the roads are nutty with people getting out. You're wise to leave tomorrow before the truly panicked late-leavers decide to leave. Bet you're missing ol' safe, boring, and category 5-hurricane-free upstate NY right about now. Take care! :hug:

[WestHoustonDem]

37. Great minds! Just spoke to GOPisEvil...

And we are housesitting for him this weekend. Would you believe Lisa is still trying to get here! She left around 3 and if she's halfway here, she's lucky. He just has one room he wants the cats kept out of.

[CitySky]

10. I left a message today for my friend in Dripping Springs, south of Austin

to ask if it's okay if my roommates and I head there, just in case. I live in the middle of Houston, and like WHD will only evacuate if the winds are expected to be very strong. My house is not likely to flood, but the routes out of here may.

Frankly I have been overly obsessive/nervous all day, probably because of (a) Katrina overload; and (b) feeling responsible for the safety and well-being of my roommates and my houseguest who is here for 2 weeks as a Red Cross volunteer. I am the homeowner and the only one of the 5 of us with a car.

So far I have filled the freezer with containers of water, bought extra flashlights & batteries and a tiny battery-operated radio, and re-filled my gas tank. Tonight I will buy enough groceries & TP and such to support the 5 of us for a few days without refrigeration. I'm going to leave one small stash of supplies in the downstairs bedroom closet which is the safest place to be in case of tornados (all interior walls.) I have some cash.

Each of us will pack a backpack in case of evacuation -- with 5 women in one car, 1 small backpack per person plus snacks and a couple of blankets is all we're going to be able to fit in my Mazda Protege, and that will be tight. I'm the only one who can drive it too -- stick shift.

Thursday, if Rita's still heading our way and we're NOT evacuating, I'll fill the bathtubs with clean water.

People at Academy Sports at lunchtime were buying all sorts of crazy stuff: coolers and batteries, yes, but also big rubber boots, propane, even life jackets. Most of the customers were dressed like me -- business clothes and grim faces. We were all clearly on our lunch break. The store had already run out of the weather radios and most normal types of flashlights by 12:30pm.

Luckily, my houseguest is one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world and a woman strong enough to hold onto my whole soul when necessary. Plus she sings, so we won't run out of stuff to do without TV. ;) She was the "power alto" lead for the all-women gospel-jazz a cappella group I sang with in Boston.

Food, water, light, music, radio, cash, a possible evacuation plan. Is there anything I've left out?

[Suich]

12. Sounds like you've got everything covered!

Stay safe and good luck!

Susan

[intheflow]

27. Do you have a watertight container for your

closeted stash of supplies? Other than wind/tornados, I worry about Houston flooding. I think you're out of the tidal surge zone, but just one one 20-minute rainstorm I witnessed there last week flooded all the streets.

I'm just heart-sick about this. It all seems such a cruel joke of nature to have a monster storm bearing down on your area when Housotn has been so generous with the Katrina victims. I hate to think I'll have to visit Houston again to help with relief efforts for Houstonians.

Such beautiful people! All that glass in the towers downtown! :cry: Please be safe, Dear Friend. And never underestimate how much stuff can be stuffed into a Protege!

[2bfree]

13. I don't know what to do.

We live north of Corpus Christi and are just waiting to see if the storm turns or not. I really hate this.

[intheflow]

30. Do you know anyone inland?

I say hit up every person you know inland. After Katrina, who would deny you shelter? Only the coldest-hearted Freeper.

I'm afraid for everyone on the whole coast. No matter where it hits you're bound to get some heavy rain and possibly storm surge. It's just killing me to live so far away and not be independently wealthy to fly you all away from danger! :scared:

[Stil]

14. Staying here

South-east Houston. But just out of the cat 4-5 area on the map. BTW any of ya'll getting out leave early. It's no fun to be driving trying to outpace a hurricane or getting caught by one on the road. (Know I really don't need to say it, but..) Personal experience, from Carla.

[babylonsister]

22. Where in SE Houston? That's where I live, but

I'm thinking it will be foolish to stay. I'm on the west side of I-45 near Pearland.

[Stil]

32. East side of I-45

By Howard. Just my wife and I. My daughter, son-in-law and grandbabies leaving toward Giddings. If it looks like it will make an early turn. We may leave also. We will decide tomarrow. Didn't Pearland area have some pretty severe flooding last time? We are kind of lucky where we live. Our neighborhood is higher the any of the surrounding areas.

[Zen Democrat]

15. My parents in Pasadena are going to the 1960 area ...

relatives in Champions Forest. Does anyone know if that is a high and dry area?

I live on the coast and am headed for kinfolks in either Dallas or San Antonio. Probably Dallas.

[Richardo]

21. It'll be dry, except around Cypress Creek, which could flood from rain

Elevation is over 100' above sea level.

We're in the same quadrant of town - the big issue I fear is falling trees/limbs.

[Longhorn]

36. My mother is just east of your relatives in Cypresswood.

She's planning to stay in her house. Flooding shouldn't be a problem but possibly winds and lack of power and/or water. She won't leave though. As a Republican, I wonder how many times she whined about the folks in New Orleans who didn't leave? :shrug:

[DesEtoiles]

16. Keep in mind that there might be heavy traffic if you wait til last minute

Bed Bath and Beyond as a really cool storm radio - gets radio and TV - operates on battery or on hand-crank. Find them in the displays at the check out. $50

I picked one up weeks ago.


And keep in mind that if you can't do laundry - may want a lot of extra clean underwear.

Round up all your important documents to take with you. Back up your computer.

Have an out-of-state contact person in case you get separated from friends and family.

[Catherine Vincent]

17. I live close to Spring, so I think I should be okay.

My parents are inside the loop (NE) and will be staying with me. I have been trying the past two hours to book rooms from Conroe and other northern towns but they are all sold out already. If we have to leave, my family are all here and don't have any relatives anywhere else in Texas, we'll have to drive to Austin or Dallas somewhere and try and find hotels there...if not I guess we'll be sleeping in the cars until we can head back to Houston.

[merci_me]

18. I'm afraid the Buffalo Bayou will overrun it's banks

if a big surge comes up the Ship Channel. When we have a fast heavy downpour, our street floods and I'm afraid to think what could happen with a surge.

My husband just ran around to half a dozen big hotels in our neighborhood and left a business card asking them to call if they had any cancellations tomorrow. There are a lot of the regular small hotels along the Katy and the Beltway, but I don't want that. Even on a normal day when get out of your car in a parking lot next to the highway the wind is terrible. During a hurricane, no thanks. I want something tall and nestled, if I can find it.

They announced on Channel 13 news tonight, that by tomorrow, there should be a couple thousand rooms opening up, due to conferences, conventions and business trips being canceled. Also, I imagine there are a lot of people who came into town on business in the last few days who will be cutting it short and getting out tomorrow or Thursday.

[WolverineDG]

23. i'm getting ready for the aftermath

i've already told my brother who lives in pearland (who probably won't evacuate :eyes: ) that i have time next week to rent a truck, load it up, & drive it in. all he needs to do is call. if he doesn't ( :eyes: ), then i'm willing to do that for any DUer who needs supplies brought in from the outside. PM your cell # if you're interested.

dg

[Justyce]

24. We would like to go, but we haven't been

able to find anything anywhere... no rooms or even campsites. Has anyone heard of anything still available??

[WestHoustonDem]

25. Go here:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org/

There seem to be lots of people offering help in Austin: http://www.hurricanehousing.org/results.html?zip=78705&distance=50

[AValdoux]

31. In Abilene, 150 miles west Ft Worth

You can't find a generator at the local home centers (lowes, home depot, etc). We aren't worried about winds but flooding sounds like a possibility. We found out a few years ago our local electrical substation was built in the flood plain. We were high & dry during a 100-yr flood but we went without power for almost 24 hours. My husband went shopping for a generator today because during the last flood I lost a few tropical fish & a freezer of food.


AValdoux

[errorbells]

45. re:In Abilene

We can't find any ice in West Houston...we have a couple of bags in the freezer
and boy would i love to have generator. oh, well.

substation built on a flood plain.
Was that necessary?
24hrs...that almost makes me feel better...just hope the roof holds.

My husband and I will be hiding downstairs, I guess...:hide:
Good look to you and all...

[WestHoustonDem]

35. Lisa and I will house sit while GOPisEvil is in DC

Thanks GOPisEvil! :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[PDittie]

38. Glad y'all are getting outta town

and don't be peeking into David's closets.:evilgrin:

[merci_me]

39. Why?

Is that where kitty is going to drop her litter? lol

[WestHoustonDem]

42. Momma kitty will stay behind in my closet.

Hopefully she'll be okay.

[intheflow]

46. Oh, no!

:scared:

[WestHoustonDem]

48. The director of the shelter Lisa is fostering for

agreed that is the best idea since she's about to pop.

[intheflow]

49. OK.

I know from personal experience there's no arguing with a pregnant female, feline or human. If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

I'll send her extra-strength kitty prayers.

[fudge stripe cookays]

40. Oh yay!

Was worried about you guys and the many kitties! What a guy, our GOP is!

Be safe, ya'll!
FSC

[intheflow]

44. GOPisEvil absolutely rocks!

Have you ever even met him in person? If not, then he rocks even more. Personally, I can't wait to meet him this weekend in DC.

And I'm so glad the Wild Women of Houston are going to ride out the storm safely. And the kitties, of course! :)

[WestHoustonDem]

47. We had the pleasure of meeting up with GOPIsEvil in San Antonio

last month. A prince of a guy!

[Stil]

41. Anybody heading toward san antonio/ austin

May want to keep an eye out. Noaa is showing hurricane winds all the way there. Our back up plan was to head that way also. But we may revise it to go toward Louisiana.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3+shtml/205648.shtml?3day

[WestHoustonDem]

43. Austin won't be hit nearly has hard as Houston.

[Stil]

50. Yep,

Just trying to keep options. Its terrible, waiting. Got everything set up if we have to leave. Mainly when they get a better track tomarrow. If it hits Matagorda bay or west we will probably stay. If it hits East of that, heading out toward the Silsbee area.

Hope everyone here stays safe.

[WestHoustonDem]

51. Poor Lisa0825 has been on the road for

nearly seven hours and still hasn't arrived. I have a margarita ready for her.

[Stil]

52. For anyone evacuating

You may think about secondary roads until well out of Houston. My two son-in-laws both left about the same time with same destination. The one who went secondary roads actually cut about 5 hours off heading toward austin. The other one still has not made it, but close last phone call. Like I said keep your options open. BTW with the latest shift it may be that way also for us. We are getting out of here. Stay safe folks.

[Stil]

55. Talking to my self

Putting this under my post. As I said options. Well, the route I took did great. Made it out to Rosenberg/Richmond area. Then the trouble started. Since I did not know the area well enough to do back roads Ended up moving toward the main ones. Not a good Idea. Miles of people stuck in traffic, vehicles overheating, people sitting outside the cars. We topped off + had a few gallons of gas, before we left Houston. Between our house and there, probably 3 gas stations with gas. Luckily we did not need some then. While listening to the radio heard the change of forecast for landfall. Decided to just stop at some shade off the road and waited for the next update. At that point decided to come back home.

Anyways, if you have to evacuate. Try to have extra gas or dual tanks. There is very little gas out there. And stay in the outside lane. At least the people there had a way to get off the freeway. Some were stuck in the inside lane with out an option. Also be aware the police may direct you to a direction you may not want to go. (Barricades, etc) While waiting I talked to a family which was trying to get to family in San Antonio. But they had been forced to follow the route they were near at the time. Which brought them out of the way and were trying to find a way to get back on track.

One last thing, I know the area I live in and am completely out of any flood zones. And (Crossing fingers) out of the path now. I hope I did not make the wrong decision. So don't let me sway anyone on what they are doing. Unless its taking that extra gas can or water jugs.

Stay safe folks.

[last_texas_dem]

53. Deciding today

based upon if Orange County decides to have a mandatory evacuation for the county or not. Minus any crazy changes in course by the storm we are probably far east enough to escape anything beyond some windy and rainy weather. I drove home from school in Huntsville today because my classes got cancelled for the rest of the week so I figured I'd come be with my family. The traffic going west on 105 was pretty heavy most of the way so I can't imagine how crazy it must be on the Interstate.

[PDittie]

54. Rita's bending toward y'all

My 80-year old mother, and my 76-year-old father and stepmother, both in Beaumont, are all still deciding to stay, despite my protests. I can't get to them to evac them, either.

GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THIS STORM. Please.