Ike

[daparish]

I do think she would be fine 75 miles inland. I do agree with Laura that being stuck in the gridlock is more dangerous than hunkering down at home. I also agree that the media does hype things up just from our last experience with a few things that were reported on Gustav in our area. We have a few roads underwater here in SE Louisiana from the wind bringing the water in. The wind started yesterday. We are under tornado watch and 15,000 people in the area have lost electricity.

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

We are already having worse flooding with Ike than Gustav and we are way out of the direct path....I will be remembering all of the Intercotees and their families in Ike's path in my prayers

[Nut4DW]

Those of us on the northwest side of Houston (Katy, Waller, Hempstead) don't seem to have as much to worry about with the latest predictions - however, they are still predictions at this point. Unless you live near water, you shouldn't have to worry about flooding. It is just the wind and/or tornados that will cause us problems. The biggest concern will be downed limbs and power lines = need to watch out for those as well as being prepared to spend a few days without power. There's not a lot of food or water at the stores these days so I hope all has already bought supplies.

Galveston is already flooding from just the storm surge and the storm is hours away - looks like there will be major damage for those folks.

Thanks again for your prayers.

[JanetMegan]

I have to say the video they are already showing on the Weather Channel is pretty grim. Water coming over seawalls and over the pier already. Water up and around homes already too.

[MNNHFLTX]

I talked to my sister. She is in Katy and my Dad is in Waller. My Dad lives in a trailer so he has evacuated to my sister's house. My understanding is that at the current projected path, she is directly in line with the eye of Ike. She is really not saying much. Just that they are hunkering down. For those in the area, what all are you guys being told? 100 mile per hour winds? I know my Dad has been told that he probably will not have a home when he returns. He is not believing it and has gone to the grocery store and bought steaks. He put them in the freezer for when he returns home he can cook out. I can not tell if he is scared and acting tough or if he really does not understand. He is in his 70s and sometimes I am just not sure. My sister took all the pictures and put them in waterproof containers and then placed them in the attic. I have read about the bags in the freezer. Any other suggestions.

Becky, forecast for the area, which includes Katy (and my house) is forecast to have sustained winds of 60-75 mph with 4-8 inches of rain. So we're probably looking at roof damage, signs down, pool enclosures damaged or blown away, etc. but not structural damage. If your sister does not live in any kind of flood plain, she will be alright, although it will be a bumpy night. As far as preparations, they just recommend having a "safe room" to be able to go to if a tornado threatens and to be prepared for power outages. As far as the pictures in the attic, I'd be more inclined to keep that stuff on a lower level, if flooding is not an issue. If she does have roof damage, it is possible that rain may leak into the attic.

Your poor dad sounds like he is keeping a stiff upper lip, like most people around here. We're just waiting to see what happens.

I do have to say that it looks like Galveston and other nearby coastal communities will not be faring well. There is already significant flooding from high tides last night, with water coming over the seawall and the storm surge is not even close yet. They think the area may suffer catastrophic losses.

[buzznwoodysmom]

Becky,

I hope your family members stay safe. I would think your sister is far enough inland that she should be fine in her home.

It is time for hurricane season to be over! DH is in the National Guard and got activated over 2 weeks ago for Gustav. He was supposed to come home last night and at the last minute he was sent to Cameron parish to help out for Ike. I really hate dealing with these storms without him here with us.

Everyone in the path of Ike are in my prayers.

[thrillme]

My prayers are with everybody that are close to the hit point. I have several friends in Galveston Freeport side that are pretty much expecting everything to be gone when they get back. FORTUNATELY they're the type when they're told to run they RUN.

If all these things are done then GREAT...but regardless...when you're told to leave LEAVE even if you have to walk.

So far everything seems to be going very well. They've been busing people out since Wednesday, hotels are offering deals and dropping taxes and one of our local movie theatres is offering "free movies" to the evacuees. We're planning a "Ike-a-Rita" party for our friends that had to leave (last time Rita came through we had a Marga-Rita party and it was nice...took everybody's mind off what they couldn't control).

I'm a bit bummed that we're not getting more storm here in SA. I was hoping for a BIG strong storm here...but we're HOPEFULLY going to get SOME rain and that's it.

[PirateLover]

God bless everyone in the storm's path. Is it true that the weather bureau has stated that anyone who doesn't evacuate certain areas will face certain death??????

[thrillme]

God bless everyone in the storm's path. Is it true that the weather bureau has stated that anyone who doesn't evacuate certain areas will face certain death??????

You know quite honestly I don't completely think so...but the fact remains that high winds, flooding really could make things VERY bad. No one knows for sure but they do know it's going to be bad. If people know they will face certian death maybe it will encourage them NOT to take the chance.

[tinkerbell04]

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved. Please stay safe.

[diz_girl]

My BIL lives south of Houston, in Pearland, and he decided to evacuate. He had frequent flier miles so he's already in New Jersey.

As for the 'certain death' warning, it's really for Galveston and other, similar coastal areas. Galveston residents were warned that people who decided to stay and who live in one or two story homes will face certain death due to the storm surge and waves. And it looks like about 50% of Galveston residents decided to stay put. I hope that I'm wrong, but I'm afraid that there will be a lot of fatalities from this one.

I live three miles from the Ocean and if Ike was headed towards me, I'd be in Pennsylvania by now.

All of you Intercotees impacted by Ike, just do your best to stay safe and we'll be praying for you.

[Nana]

I received an email from my sister around 7 tonight Central time. The winds were picking up and the lights had began flickering. She said she would try to send another at 8 and if I did not hear from her then, it was because the lights were out. So I guess electricity has already gone for her. She is a little concerned about her neighbor's trees. They are not real sturdy and if they fall, they will go through my nephew's bedroom. So they are staying together in the den tonight. I will be saying a prayer for them and everyone else impacted by Ike.

[RedSoxFan]

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone having deal with Ike. I've been watching it on TV and it looks nasty. Stay safe.

[buzznwoodysmom]

Is everyone alright?

[Nut4DW]

We came through the storm with just a few down limbs and tree debris - had some very high winds and a lot of rain - power out for a few hours but fared much better than originally forecasted. Thanks for the prayers!!!!

[merlinmagic4]

We haven't heard from my brother but he is a police officer in Houston and on duty. I heard this afternoon that they had some 2000+ 911 calls in 24 hours so I doubt he has time to call!

Our own ABigKid from Intercot is out there also (I am sure). They could use some and some sleep!

[BronxTigger]

The pictures coming out of south Texas are awful!

[Nana]

My sister and her family and my Dad are fine. Thank you for the prayers!!

[PirateLover]

The pictures of all the debris are just horrendous. to everyone affected by the storm.

[BronxTigger]

I read that a 4 y/o was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, likely from the use of a generator inside his home. How sad.