Is this a wise decision? News As a gigantic Hurricane Ike steamed through the Gulf of Mexico toward the Texas coast, officials in America's fourth-largest city made a bold decision: Instead of fleeing, residents here would stare down the storm... What do you think, stay put and face the issues that may arise, or move now in time before any loss of life or material?
Houston is very susceptible to flooding, with the predicted surge is in the seventeen to twenty foot range, and twelve plus inches of rain in the forecast, I personally think it would be very unwise to stay there during this storm. I hope everyone makes it through it okay.
I think it's safer than telling 4-5 million people to bail. Here's why, Ike is stout but not even near a Cat 4 or 5 in which case it'll be hectic for Houston but manageable.
To me the decision would depend on elevation where I lived were I a Houstonite. If I lived in a part of town that was prone to flooding I would want to be out of town. It is really to late now to get out. There were reports of gas stations in Nacogdoches being out of gas this morning. Residents in Anderson County have been asked to go to shelters if they live in trailers, manufactured housing or campers due to expected heavy winds and potential tornados.
I think you're going to get more rain that we will! Houston downtown seemed to be prone if I remember correctly. There were always issues with the San Jac river and bayou areas obviously too. looks like the eye is just about there...seems early! http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/tracking/at200809_sat.html?MR=1
I think you mentioned being in Austin. Any rain there yet? I am getting so tired doing the fill up car/fill up pantry runs. Should have bought batteries but decided to ride this one out with weak batteries. Hope we keep power.
I don't think we even got a drop! forecast was from 1-4" @ 70-100% chance depending on which station you believed nothing doing but man, can't imagine what Galveston looks like today. one of the local stations here had the HOU affiliate running...raining so hard there it looked like snow
I was 200 miles inland when eye went over. Made a believer out of me. I am so fortunate trees surrounding house held. House on corner was not so lucky. They have huge tree down. It destroyed fence, and came to rest on car port.
what kind of speeds were the winds pulling? just talked to a guy I used to work with here in Austin, his brother was doing some work in Galveston right up until the evac...he made it home but got no further than Texas City (I guess that's where he lives). He said it was pretty hairy but they survived (no damage to their house)...might be without power for 2weeks though! I could not be without my precious A/C for 2 days let alone 2 weeks!!! We didn't get a single drop of rain and maybe, maybe the winds were 20mph glad you made it ok. Huge tree like an oak? Bradford pears are very popular around here...they are great trees (grow fast, pretty, etc) BUT they snap like twigs under duress.
I am not totaly sure about wind speeds. I know at one time tv mentioned 60 mph. I was watching three large oaks, a magnolia, and a pecan. Bet there will be no pecan crop. We have a pecan on back lot not adjacent to house. They are brittle. Lots of tips of them down and a few small limbs, the type things I can move by myself. I hope city will remove without my having to cut up.
I didn't listen in on all the details but wasn't Ike not considered as "that deadly" making it a 50/50 chance to either stay or evacuate?