Another hurricane, IKE

[donna1990]

Lots of prayers to all of you that is in the wake of this storm.
It is not suppose to hit the Tampa Bay area, Thank God.
My prayers go out to all of you that is in the path of this storm.:ghug::goodluck::heart::heart:

[Janet]

I haven't had the TV on to check weather...guess I'll do it via internet. Prayers being offered to those in the path of this storm.

[gja1000]

Looks like a bad bad storm!!! I hope everyone gets out of its path. I worry that since so many evacuated for Gustav and it turned out to be not too bad, they will be reluctant (or can't afford) to evacuate. I just hope everyone is safe - it does not look good so far.

[DianaB]

Ike sounds like it could be really, really bad. I'm glad that I don't live where there's hurricanes! I pray that everyone stays safe.

[Janet]

Will this affect Gina? or is this the one coming through Florida?

[DianaB]

Ike is the one that's going across the lower end of Florida and is going into the Gulf. They aren't sure where it's going to go from there.

[Janet]

Oh dear, thanks Diana, I haven't checked the weather yet. I found some online games and have been very distracted...LOL.

[DianaB]

I've been busy enough this week that I really hadn't paid any attention to the hurricanes either but when I got on the computer I read an article about Ike. I always check on some of the news when I first get on the computer.

[Janet]

Maybe I should do that too so I won't be out of the loop on things going on in the world...lol

[DianaB]

My homepage is www.msn.com and they usually have the headlines there where you can see what's going on.

[Marilyn]

Right now the hurricane's 5 day forecast is headed straight for us. When hubby gets home from the hospital, the will not be able to lift more then 5 lbs for a while. We're trying to figure out what we will do if it comes here. We would have to somehow board the house up. We have the plywood cut and numbered & stored for the windows, but we're in a two story, and I can't do it by myself. Also would have to move all the outside stuff inside, and hook onto our 5th wheel and head inland.

We're just praying it goes farther south and hits the King Ranch area of the coast. There is very little there to be affected by a storm, mostly scrub and fences. A big one hit there a few years ago and did very little damage. The resulting flooding in it's path was pretty bad though as to moved inland. Keep your fingers crossed it misses populated areas.

[gja1000]

Right now the hurricane's 5 day forecast is headed straight for us. When hubby gets home from the hospital, the will not be able to lift more then 5 lbs for a while. We're trying to figure out what we will do if it comes here.


Marilyn, you are right to be concerned about your husband's procedure and everything that will need to be done in case the hurricane comes into your area. A couple of months ago, my husband's groin site (from the same procedure) opened up after TEN DAYS!!! It was caused by him squatting down (we think). So, try to enlist the help of someone to come board up the house, in case you need to. It would be better to plan for it now and not need the help, than to wait and possibly have something happen to your hubby.

[DianaB]

I'd start checking around for someone to help you, just in case. Is it possible that your son-in-law could come and help? There's no way that you can do all of that by yourself.

[Tiramisu]

Looks like he's headed right between Marilyn and me. We'll stay home for a Cat 3, but I don't look forward to being without power and we'll be on the "dirty side". Hubby just took MIL home, on Friday, from Gustav and will have to get her again. It's a 4 hour RT and he's really tired of her panics and demands.

[Janet]

Finally checked out this storm and it is really a dangerous one, huh? So many already killed.

I know this is just a forum to some people...but I woudn't want anything to happen to my friends here. Please...if there is anyway possible to get word to us that you are okay once it's over with, I know we'd all appreciate it. Stay safe everyone in it's path.

[Tiramisu]

Hubby dropped me off at home and took off to the store to get groceries. He has been the most wonderful man this last month that I've been off work. He's done most of my housework, washed dogs without my asking, gone to work almost every day, cared for his mother, now will probably need to clean outside and pull things for the storm BY HIMSELF.

I'M REALLY GONNA OWE HIM BUNCHES!

[Janet]

Sandy...he sounds like a keeper to me. How wonderful for him to do all that. You're blessed.

[Marilyn]

We were able to get a few things done in preparation for the storm, and will be doing a few more before we leave for Houston in the morning. We have help lined up just in case. Son-in-law will probably not be needed. They are a bit far away, and he's in the Austin Fire Academy right now which is similiar to military boot camp only he gets to come home each night. Would not want him to miss any of that.

We will probably leave if a mandatory evacuation is ordered primarily because if it's that intense, we would need to get our 36' RV out of the storm's path, and emergency medical care is not guaranteed when a mandatory evac is ordered. With hubby so soon out of the procedure, we would want access to medical care, just in case. We would probably park the RV in the parking lot of a church we visit in central Texas and stay with one of our daughters either in Austin or San Antonio. Only problem is both of them live in 3rd floor walk up apartments and I'm concerned about hubby walking up those stairs. He's convinced that he will be okay if he takes it slow. I may call and reserve a hotel room just in case.

[JonlyCajunQueen]

I just went through Gustav...no fun. Don't wait to board up...seems you will be getting it...get some help soon...too bad you aren't closer we would come help you out.

[Tiramisu]

He's predicted to turn more to the South. Marilyn, take care and stay safe at home or on the road!

[Marilyn]

I just went through Gustav...no fun. Don't wait to board up...seems you will be getting it...get some help soon...too bad you aren't closer we would come help you out.

I think we are going to take your advice this morning before we leave for Houston. Our neighbors will think we are nuts boarding up so soon, but they don't know the circumstances.

We went through a little Cat 1 three years ago, and a sign hit a window at the office, broke the glass, and the entire office had water damage from blown in water. It was a huge mess, mostly due to no power for several ways, so no way to vacuum up the water and everything molded. It was gross. Took a lot of cleaning and throwing away of papers to get it cleaned up.

Sure don't want that happening to our home.

Everyone take care and stay out of harms way!!!

[DianaB]

I think that you're doing the right thing considering your circumstances. You may look crazy to your neighbors but as you said they don't know what all you're dealing with at the moment. Better to be safe than sorry! This way you can concentrate on your husband and not so much on the house. Good luck and keep us posted on how your husband is doing.

[Janet]

I hope everyone does the right thing and takes the proper precautions. The weather people do their best to give the most information they can on these storms, but it's mother nature and it can't be completely predicted. Stay safe all.

[gja1000]

This looks to be a bad one. Current projects put it over Austin (Moi) at 2:00PM on Saturday with 70 mph tropical winds. I doubt it will stay the exact current path, but I think it safe to say, many people in Texas are going to be affected, some severely.

Everyone - please stay safe!!!

[Janet]

Not sure what the other weather people are saying, but ours said this morning that the storm should be a cat. 3 and hit just a little north of Brownsburg. Did say it could change course too, but as of this morning...that was the predicition. Also said it should hit early Saturday morning. Anyone really close to there?

[Tiramisu]

I think Marilyn is/was in that area and it's headed north, over Gayle.

I like www.stormpulse.com because it shows the city names. The latest report (about 30 minutes ago) showed it coming in around Port Aransas. I'm hoping my oldest daughter will take her kiddos and go to my son's house. My g-son is on oxygen right now and needs cool air. We'll probably be without power for a few days.

We've already gotten all our guys off the oil rigs, so that's safe!

[Janet]

That site is pretty nice Sandy....thanks!

Last address I had for Marilyn was Victoria...where is Gayle located?

[Tiramisu]

That site is pretty nice Sandy....thanks!

Last address I had for Marilyn was Victoria...where is Gayle located?


Around Austin, I think!

[gja1000]

Yep, I'm in Austin and the storm tracker had it coming in right over Austin, but current projections have it slightly to the east of Austin now. We'll still get some wind and rain, how much is anyone's guess. I'm getting prepared for a power outage as we do not usually have any sort of sustained winds of 30-50 mph and they are predicting that wind for Sat afternoon and evening. I think it is safe to assume, we may be out of power.

So, we are stocking up on ice, water, bread, fruit, lunch meat, candles, batteries, etc. so if the power is out, we won't have to open the fridge in hopes of saving the contents.

I think the prediction is the worst case scenario, and I hope we have less wind and rain, but I guess we have to be prepared for the worst!

[Janet]

These darn hurricanes!!! I don't want you to lose power...you won't be able to be with us!

[Marilyn]

Well, we're home. It's kinda long story, but we bailed out on the procedure in Houston. Hubby was on the table and he and I both felt that it was not the right time. Something felt wrong, too many red flags. I hadn't told him my feelings, because I knew he really wanted to get this done and behind us. I was in the waiting room crying. He'd been away from me for maybe 10 minutes and a nurse came and got me and said my husband wanted to talk with me. We had both lost confidence in the doctors and the staff due to some things that happened yesterday and this morning, so we called it off, got him disconnected and came home. We will meet with the his cardiologist and review options. We may try a different facility and a different team of doctors in a couple of weeks.

Glad we came. Things were not the way we wanted them to be here in advance of a major storm, and if we had stayed in Houston and had the procedure, the wind would have been too strong by the time we got home to move the RV, so we are all boarded up now and things are as we would want them. The dogs that were boarded are picked up from the vet's office, they were requiring that they be picked up today. The RV is hitched to the truck and ready to head out early tomorrow. Tanks are full of gas. Gas is selling out and very hard to come by, so we were fortunate to find some. One vehicle is full of super, but who cares.

We were heading to San Antonio, but Karen's roommate will have a lot of her family there, so we are heading to Melissa & Garrett's in Austin. We'll get some tropical storm winds, but at least will be out of Cat 3 or 4.

We got about 2 hours sleep last night worrying about everything. What a waste of a room at the Marriott!! We're running on adrenalin now, I think. It's been one crazy, crazy day. My cell phones have been going crazy with everyone calling to check on Hubby and wanting to know what is happening.

Karen and Melissa were down on the coast today, Karen at our house and Melissa in Houston. They both said there are hundreds, literally, of tour busses, school busses, ambulances, headed in both directions. It's crazy around here. Right now the track brings it right over us. It may shift, but we're just not taking any chances. Some of our friends are staying, but they are in older lower lying homes. Ours is on high ground and a two story with wide open golf course behind us. Nothing to break the wind.

I know this is long. I'm stuck in overdrive. Will try to keep you posted as things progress.

Everyone, please be safe!!!

[Lindsey]

Everyone being affected by hurricanes is in my thoughts. With how extreme the weather has been in the past couple of years, I am so thankful I don't have to deal with that kind of thing here.
Stay safe!!

[Marilyn]

That site is pretty nice Sandy....thanks!

Last address I had for Marilyn was Victoria...where is Gayle located?

Yep, that's where we are. If you hear it is going into Matogorda Bay or Port O'Conner, that's basically a direct hit for us. We are inland about 20 miles as the crow flies which causes us to be well above the storm surge (we are approx. 95 feet above sea level), but not out of the wind and rain. Windows, roofs, power lines, trees are at risk with a Cat 3 or 4. Much of the damage results from blown in rain, through a compromised roof or window.

My office, by contrast is in Port Lavaca, on Matagorda Bay. We are about 200 yards (if that far) from the water and approx. 16 feet above sea level. My office may be in danger of flooding, and is a standard metal building, warehouse type construction. We're a little concerned about the office. Hubby's office is in Victoria, in a pretty well protected location and is also boarded up.

[Marilyn]

BTW, here's a link to our hometown paper. I don't like their website at all, but it does have up-to-date information on evacuation from this area.

www.victoriaadvocate.com (http://www.victoriaadvocate.com)

[Forgivenmom5]

Marilyn first of all be safe. I am also praying you will not have much damage to your home and offices.

[Tiramisu]

I still think Ike is going to split the difference between Marilyn and me, with the eye coming in over Freeport. I'm pretty bummed out that, with this foot, I can't do anything to help Hubby prepare for this storm. He has to drop a 20'x20'x12' tall canopy. It took him 2 hours last time, with me helping.

I'll be working from home tomorrow because these crutches don't work well on wet surfaces.

[Janet]

Sandy be careful. We don't need you slipping and hurting yourself.

[DianaB]

Marilyn, I'm so sorry that the medical procedure didn't work out. You were probably right about canceling it since both of you felt the same way. And I'm glad that you were able to go back to the house and get it secured. Be careful traveling and take care of yourselves. I'll be waiting to hear how things are going. Just stay safe!!

[Tiramisu]

ExxonMobil is closing it's Houston offices tomorrow. Hubby picked me up at noon. MIL is giving him a hard time to come get her. She's a normal 1.5 hour drive away, but with mandatory evacuations, he might or might not get in and out. She even used the line, "I wish I had died with your Daddy." He's beating himself up. I told him to go be with her and I'd be OK here. Oldest daughter will probably end up here with me. She told him to go and she'd take care of me and doggies. She's being such a brat lately.

It looks like I'll get 90mph winds at my house. Hubby's working hard outside, getting everything picked up and battened down. We probably won't flood, but will almost definitely be without power for several days.

I have one of my supervisors on business in Milan and scheduled to fly in Friday night. I'm telling him to stay there until Monday, because the Houston airport will probably close down midday tomorrow.

[Dobie]

I'm so sorry to hear that your husband is still having difficulty - I hope that you are abel to find a facility that you are comfortable with.
I pray that Ike is not a serious as is being predicted

[Janet]

ExxonMobil is closing it's Houston offices tomorrow. Hubby picked me up at noon. MIL is giving him a hard time to come get her. She's a normal 1.5 hour drive away, but with mandatory evacuations, he might or might not get in and out. She even used the line, "I wish I had died with your Daddy." He's beating himself up. I told him to go be with her and I'd be OK here. Oldest daughter will probably end up here with me. She told him to go and she'd take care of me and doggies. She's being such a brat lately.

It looks like I'll get 90mph winds at my house. Hubby's working hard outside, getting everything picked up and battened down. We probably won't flood, but will almost definitely be without power for several days.

I have one of my supervisors on business in Milan and scheduled to fly in Friday night. I'm telling him to stay there until Monday, because the Houston airport will probably close down midday tomorrow.

Don't ya just want to choke them when they use the guilt to get to ya??? 90 mile an hour winds are not a good thing...you all just be careful.

[Tiramisu]

Has anybody heard from Marilyn? I've heard the phrase "hunkered down" several times this evening and that's what I'm doing for the next few days. We went out for a quick margarita this evening, but our favorite place was closed. We stopped at the liquor store and got a bottle of the already mixed margarita. It's a hurricane supply!

[Tiramisu]

Looks like we'll get the direct hit. Ike's big, so lots of people will be affected. May God Bless and Keep Us All! I hope to be able to text message from my blackberry and might even get around to getting into 4WT on it. I expect we'll lose power this evening. My Yahoo e-mail goes to my blackberry, too.

[Dobie]

I'm thinking of all of you! Please try to keep us updated as you can.

[Janet]

Sandy...please...if there is any way, once this storm passes...let us know you are safe...okay. I have you in my prayers ....

[DianaB]

Sandy, my prayers are with you. Stay safe!!

[judy]

My prayers for Sandy and Marilyn, and everyone affected. The news about this storm is scary. Please be safe.

[Janet]

Had the news on this morning....not good. Please I know there are more important things going on right now than 4WT, but if it's possible please let us know you're alright. Have all those affected in my prayers.

[Marilyn]

Just checking in. We are doing fine. The storm missed our home in Victoria and is hooking north so fast that it will miss Austin, also. All we are getting is a 25 mph breeze, and no rain. Wish it had gone south though and gone inland where there are very few people. The areas that are affected in Texas and Louisiana are a mess from what we are hearing.

We are in Austin with Melissa and Garrett and will be heading home this afternoon.

Hope Sandy and her family are well. The are probably out of power for a while.

Janet, looks like it will be in Indiana tomorrow. You will probably get a lot more of this one than we did!!

Take care everyone along the path of Ike, praying for all affected!!

[Lindsey]

I'm so glad you're okay and that the storm missed your home. If you see this, or anyone else from the area, I was just wondering about a couple of areas myself. I have a good friend who lives in Lake Jackson with her husband and baby, and last I heard they had evacuated to Plano. Are they out of harm's way? I'm worried about her :(

[donna1990]

Marilyn, glad it missed you.

[Forgivenmom5]

Glad everything is OK Marilyn!

[gja1000]

I'm so glad you're okay and that the storm missed your home. If you see this, or anyone else from the area, I was just wondering about a couple of areas myself. I have a good friend who lives in Lake Jackson with her husband and baby, and last I heard they had evacuated to Plano. Are they out of harm's way? I'm worried about her :(


Yes, they will be fine in Plano - it's good they left Lake Jackson though!!!

[gja1000]

Glad it missed Victoria, Marilyn! My hubby has an elevated fishing house just south of Bay City on the coast. We are hoping it is OK - it should be since it was on the clean side of the storm.

[Janet]

Now that we know you ladies are safe....now we need to hear from Sandy. I hope someway, somehow she can let us know she is okay.

[Lindsey]

Yes, they will be fine in Plano - it's good they left Lake Jackson though!!!

Thank you so much! One of her friends wrote on her facebook wall saying she heard the storm was heading towards Plano so that's what worried me! But I'm glad to hear they'll be okay.

[Marilyn]

Plano may have gotten some rain but that's about it. Lake Jackson was hit pretty hard. They are not letting them back into Brazoria County yet, so it may be a couple of days before they get to go home. My boss lives in Lake Jackson and I think he was on a business trip to Michigan. Hope all is will with his family. I'm sure they got out and are okay.

Would like to hear from Sandy, but she's probably out of power for a while.

Gayle, from what we are hearing, Bay City area should be okay, especially if the house is on stilts. They got some surge, and rain, but not much of the wind. They are saying the homes on concrete stilts faired the best in areas like Bay City but it's far enough away, that wooden ones probably were okay.

Let us know for sure though.

[gja1000]

Plano may have gotten some rain but that's about it. Lake Jackson was hit pretty hard. They are not letting them back into Brazoria County yet, so it may be a couple of days before they get to go home. My boss lives in Lake Jackson and I think he was on a business trip to Michigan. Hope all is will with his family. I'm sure they got out and are okay.

Would like to hear from Sandy, but she's probably out of power for a while.

Gayle, from what we are hearing, Bay City area should be okay, especially if the house is on stilts. They got some surge, and rain, but not much of the wind. They are saying the homes on concrete stilts faired the best in areas like Bay City but it's far enough away, that wooden ones probably were okay.

Let us know for sure though.


Will do. We have friends who live in Sweeny who will go over there when they can get through. We talked to them yesterday and like you, seemed to think everything would be OK. The road to the house floods with a heavy rain, so it may be a few days before he can get in there.

[goofywife]

My Brother, his wife's parents and grandparents are in Clear Lake. They road out the storm in my brothers house.

My Mom and two sisters are in Conroe/Montgomery.

Everyone is with out power. All have damage at there houses. I have not talked with my brother since last night. FEMA took over the cell towers.

One of my sisters works for St Lukes and is on her way into work right now. My other sister works at the hospital and stayed there through the storm.

It is amazing how unprepared they were. Maybe we are just used to having power go down here in tornado alley, but, when I told them they are saying 2-4 weeks to restore power, they are like no, it should be on within a day.

BTW if you have direct tv channel 361 is local Houston channel 11. I have been able to tell my family information like :my sister was needed at work, locations where FEMA was giving ice etc,

[Janet]

I feel for those all affect by this terrible storm. Here I am in Indiana and today we are getting the rain and wind from it. Rain coming down in sheets and you can actually see it move across the fields. We have a wind warning out for this afternoon and this evening. It sucks here right now....I can't imagine what you all went through...horrible!!!

[Shada]

I am right on the Indiana/Michigan border and it has been raining and blowing for th past two days.
I sat here earlier looking out my window watching it rain, and I was thinking how forunate I am that I don't have to worry about flooding.

My heart and prayers go out to all affected by this horrible weather.

[Marilyn]

A friend at church tonight told me that her brother had 5 feet of water in his home, and the house next door that was newer and they thought built better is in his front yard. The walls on it colapsed so the roof is on the ground with the house under it. They have no idea when they can even file an insurance claim. People around here are heading north with generators, ice and water to help out. What a mess!!

Has anyone heard from Sandy??

[Marilyn]

Here's a link to some pic's of the damage from Ike.

http://www.chron.com/news/photogallery/Editors_Top_Pictures.html

[donna1990]

Janet, let us know how you are doing, hope you didn't get the floods.

[Janet]

We just had rain and wind like crazy yesterday. Few limbs down..is about it. Nothing of course like Texas. It was so wild seeing it coming down in sheets across the fields. I think it was worse in northern Indiana and Chicago. Kat told me she was without power and her sun room was flooded.

[Ponyup]

Northern Indiana here. Not too bad. A road in south bend collapsed which is about 20 miles from me, but that's all I heard about. As far as I know my town didn't have any flooding, but it did come down like crazy all day sunday.

[Lindsey]

I just talked with my friend from down there... they're still away from home but they said the damage isn't too bad. Trees fell down and they're out of power, they lost their fence but the house is still standing!!! She doesn't want to go back until they get power back, but she said her work has been calling her for days to go in :eek: She keeps telling them the evacuation order isn't even lifted yet

[Tiramisu]

FAMILY'S OK - no water - no power - no gas - no ice - no work - can't help w/bad foot - cell is in and out - on blackberry - house is OK - many trees down - will post as I can

[Lindsey]

I'm glad you and your family are okay Sandy!

[Janet]

FAMILY'S OK - no water - no power - no gas - no ice - no work - can't help w/bad foot - cell is in and out - on blackberry - house is OK - many trees down - will post as I can

Sandy, I'm so happy and thankful to know you're alright. I know you have a lot of work to do and I'll be keeping you in my prayers.

[judy]

Thank God you're okay Sandy! My prayers for you and your family.

[donna1990]

FAMILY'S OK - no water - no power - no gas - no ice - no work - can't help w/bad foot - cell is in and out - on blackberry - house is OK - many trees down - will post as I can

God bless you and your, pray you keep up your spirit.

[DianaB]

FAMILY'S OK - no water - no power - no gas - no ice - no work - can't help w/bad foot - cell is in and out - on blackberry - house is OK - many trees down - will post as I can

Thanks for letting us know that you're alright, Sandy. Take care of yourself.

[Marilyn]

FAMILY'S OK - no water - no power - no gas - no ice - no work - can't help w/bad foot - cell is in and out - on blackberry - house is OK - many trees down - will post as I can

So glad to hear that you and your family are okay. Your saga sounds like so many others we are hearing. Let us know more when you can!!! Hope you get power restored soon!!

It's been crazy at work this week. We rely so heavily on freight coming from Houston, through Houston, or shops in Houston working on the products we sell. It's hit or miss finding anyone in the office who can help us. We're having to hotshot materials around when we can find services that are running. It's a mess!! Hopefully next week will be a bit better. Thank goodness no one we know of was physically hurt. All are well and accounted for, just hot, tired and hungry for something other than grilled spam.

[Tiramisu]

I came in to work this morning. Everybody's keeping to themselves due to lack of a good hot shower in a week!

Hubby gave up and hired somebody to cut the big tree up. In looking for the bright side - nobody will need to buy firewood this winter in our part of town and THANK GOD it's been cooler!

I have been depressed from not being able to help in the clean up. I'd go lay on the bed and Hubby would tell me to come sit outside. The neighbors who have generators bring coffee to me and one morning I had three cups delivered.

Most of our neighbors are outsiders and we used to visit more, but after all the kids grew up we stopped. This has brought up back out and together.

Looks like gas is slowly coming back into good supply. Traffic lights are out and that's pain, but it seems most are being patient - even my Hubby.

Sorry - I'm rambling.

[DianaB]

In your rambling we're getting an idea of what things are like for you down there. I'm glad that you're getting re-aquainted with your neighbors. How wonderful for them to bring you coffee!!!

[Janet]

You can ramble all you want Sandy. It was wonderful that they brought you coffee. If they did that for me..since I love my coffee of a morning, I'd have to add them to my will...lol.

I remember when I was younger how the neihbors would get together for cookouts. Enjoy it while you can, before everything gets back to normal.