Well, what a ride. I live about 40 miles west of the eye of Hur. Ike. Even though I was on the west side of the storm the NW portion is where the winds got strong. Our area clocked 75mph sustained winds for 8 hrs with gusts to 95+. I thought my windows were going to be sucked out of the house. I did not board up. Have a bit of roof damage and a leak in the house - nothing that can't be remedied. The mayor of Houston, Bill White, has done a great job of keeping all somewhat calm and well informed. Once again FEMA fumbled the ball. Trucks did not start to arrive until Monday - as close as 100 miles away in Austin they were staged, and supposedly ready to go to Houston after the storm moved through. Our beloved President took a 90 minute tour of the area yesterday. I evacuated for Rita (14 hrs drive to Dallas - normally 3.5 hrs) and said I would not leave again - I now won't stay again. Three days out and I am gone. RL and TSX are all OK, too, but need some TLC.

 

Glad to hear you made it through OK -- the weather these past couple of years has been very tough down there. We got lucky last year with very few storms. Here's hoping you and your family get back to normal soon.

 

I live on a barrier island @ 5' above sealevel for floyd it took us 8 hours to go 60 miles, he then turned torward Chucktown & we turned around & went home. We are lucky & have not been hit since a glancing blow in 1964 & a direct hit in the 1800's but we always have to watch out.

 

Glad you are well and safe. I had wondered how AZ members from the Houston area had fared. We who live in 'Hurricane Alley' are all experienced meteorlogists. A close friend left south Florida due to hurricane fatigue and relocated to Beaumont. Her home has suffered significant damage.

This season has returned the weekly anxiety the 2004 & 2005 hurricane seasons besieged upon us. After the weekly stoms of those seasons and living through Frances and Jeanne at mere Cat 1 with a week of more of no power afterwards, I too have little plans to 'hunker down' with a future storm tracking to Tampa Bay. To this day, seeing a leaf blow by in a breeze urges me to start dragging plywood from the garage.

Priorities being what they are, it is good to hear the Acuras survived as well.