Part of it is over-reaction since Katrina. The politicians don't want to be accused of not responding quickly enough, so they declare disaster areas well in advance, just in case, so they can get federal relief in quickly should things get bad.

The only real potential for problems here is flooding, should Dolly dump a lot of water. San Antonio could also get a lot of rain and they have major flooding from just thunder storms sometimes. Bexar county (San Antonio) is part of the disaster area. We get their runnoff.

We are under a tornado watch, and Corpus is under a tornado warning. There is a possiblity that a twister is on the ground at the Portlant/Ingleside area. One has not been sited, they are looking at radar and saying this.

We could see a twister in this area, but honestly, it is not likely. The Weather Service is just being cautious.

If you ever need to evacuate you're more than welcome to drive up to Kansas with the girls and your SIL. I have a nice guest room! Or I have family in Mt. Pleasant that you'd enjoy staying with!!!

I hope that you get enough rain to completely wet things and fill up some ponds.

Thank you, Diana. Hopefully we won't need to take you up on that, but do appreciate the generosity.

Here's an update, another disaster area photo:

Attachment 3842

This was taken in front of my office a few minutes ago. I know it's boring. We had a little rain this morning, but the sun has been shining most of the day. It is kinda windy though. I work very close to the bay. The camera is actually pointed toward a causeway bridge. Guess I could have driven to the water and taken a shot of the bay to make it more interesting.

I hear Corpus is getting lots of rain. I need to call down there and see how things are going!!

Saw some of the weather there on the news this evening, down by Padre(?) Island. lots of wind and rain. Hope everyone there is safe.

We're hearing they are getting lots of rain down there. Some wind damage. Looked on the weather channel maps like southern Louisiana was getting lots of rain from the storm, too. It was kinda weird that we were sorta close and were between bands of rain most of the day yesterday. Did get quiet a few heavy showers during the night. It kept waking me up.

Today I have several sales calls to make. So hopefully I can travel between showers. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!!!

I hope you and the girls are all okay. Please update us when you can.

I feel so sorry for those who really get hit by these storms. I will pray for them.

We're all fine. It's basically all over for us. The rain has moved out to the Big Bend area. The people in the valley just have to rebuild what's needed and get power restored to everyone. It looks like the damage to South Padre was a little more than originally expected, but I'm sure they will be back to normal very soon.

Not trying to make too little of the storm. I'm sure there are many down in the valley who will suffer financially and are having to deal with a lot of storm related issues. They have our greatest sympathy. I don't think there were any fatalities, at least none that we have heard of. I'm sure there will be some needs that will have to be met in the coming days. We usually hear from churches who were affected by flooding who need supplies and assistance.

It's back to normal for us around here, until the next threat in the gulf.

I'm not sure it matters where one lives, there is always some kind of weather threat. It really helps with today's technology to at least be able to take precautions if one needs to or wants to. Here in Indiana, it's mostly flooding and tornadoes.

I saw some pretty bad damage to buildings on TV yesterday. Thank goodness nobody was hurt though. My prayers to those who have to rebuild.

In NYC we don't have weather issues, but I'm leaving that safe little niche. Snowstorms and ice, here I come! Can't complain though. Hurricanes, floods and twisters are far worse.

So glad that it was not worse.
Did you see the tornadoes in NH today.
I will never forget a few years ago the hurricanes we had. It is so, so frightening.

You'd think so wouldn't you Judy..., but wait till a heavy wet snow takes down power line, collapses roofs, can't walk, drive, anything because of ice. We were without power for over two weeks because of an ice storm when Ricky was only 2 months old.

Judy, I saw a thing on cable TV one day about what IF a hurricane hit NYC. They say it is possible and could very well happen some day, and probably will. They modeled what the storm surge would do to the city, and the subway system would be flooded as well as a lot of other things.

YOU MAY BE GETTING OUT JUST IN TIME!!!!!!!!

It's so true! The subways and highways flood if there's a heavy rain! The infrastructure is so old that it's really not safe at all.

We're also on a fault. An earthquake would, of course, do us in. The tall buildings
aren't earthquake-proof in any way. I think they are windproof to a point.

Janet,

I'd still rather have snow and ice than a twister. At least I would know what to do during a power outage. It sure doesn't sound pleasant though.