Hurricane Rita and Texas Riders

Post by **socalrob** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 1:37 am

Good luck guys. Remember your families safety is the important thing, error on the side of caution when deciding to stay or go.

Earthquakes give no notice, I guess that can be good or bad, at least I don't have to worry about for days.

I lived in Florida from about 1974 to 1982 and I don't think a single hurricane hit the state. Whats up with the last couple of years?

Damn, I hope things don't get too bad.

malcolmm · Post by **malcolmm** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:32 am

I'll be thinking of all you guys in Texas. I pray that you and your families remain safe and unaffected by Rita.

The one a couple of weeks ago was shocking and I hope this one proves to be a beat-up.

I'm very grateful to be living downunder where we don't experience these extremes.

darthrider · Post by **darthrider** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 8:56 am

I just heard from Allan (Dallara) in Corpus Christi.
Long story short: They are riding it out but are very prepared and ready. Plus, they have a barrier island (Padre), some elevation, and the storm track is going well North of them.
I still wouldn't want to be there personally but their business interest & "preparedness" keep them there...and safe I'm sure.

Post by **boxermania** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:09 am

Good luck to my Texas friends, Ken et. al. stay away from harm's way.....from a recently battered one.

Post by **Rootin55** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:35 am

[img][img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y77/Ro ... -18-30.gif[/img][/img]

This is from a site we use at work (Offshore Oilfield). This is specific to my zip code......it is ever changing. If anyone in the area wants one (while I'm able), let me know (I'll need your zip code). Yesterday it was 55 max, this morning early was 95.....now about 75.

Thanks Al....and others who have offered kindness.

Post by **scottybooj** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 9:59 am

Good luck guys....batten down the hatches and take down the mainsail.

Hurricanes need to be over water to keep their power, so I'm a thinkin' that you guys way inland near DFW, won't see more than alot of rain and some wind...but not 100mph wind.

Lord help my area if a Cat 5 hit us. Look at long island, ny on a map and you'll see a little island sandwiched between nj and connecticut. we would get SLAMMED. we got hit by Gloria in the 80's and she was only a Cat 3. Trees were uprooted around my house and the salt water came up to my parents house which is 400 feet from the canal.

I already told my wife that if a storm that large comes our way, be prepared to evacuate by motorcycle! With our traffic on normal days, it could take a week to get off the island!

hold on tight Texas.

jonothan · Post by **jonothan** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:14 am

Good luck. You are in our thoughts and prayers here across the Pond.

J

Post by **Deans BMW** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:53 am

Says all that needs to be said.

BigJugs · Post by **BigJugs** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:56 pm

Thanks for the well wishes. Looks like we're going to ride this one out since we can't get out of town. I've had two neighbors return home this afternoon after leaving at 3am and traveled only 25 miles! The state is trying to open all lanes to outbound traffic but it may be too late. Many people are stranded on the roads out of gas or broken down.

I'm on the west side of town south of Katy with plenty of water and food. The cars are gassed up in case we need to leave after the storm. We are hoping that it goes in east of Houston so we stay on the "clean" side.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Cheers,

Acacia · Post by **Acacia** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:08 pm

Thanks for the concern.

Sugar Land is about 20 miles SW of Houston, about 56' in elevation and 60 miles from the coast. I am staying put. All the roads are as close to logjam as you can get. No gas since last night in the county- except one I found at 5am. All stores are closed.

I needed money so I got onto my bicycle at 8am to ride the 2 miles to the bank. Pittyfull sight along Hwy 6. Poeple with pets, horses etc pulling off into parking lots to tend to their aminals. Some just sitting there bewildered.

Near the bank I see two bikers - Kawa cruisers and attendant patched regalia. The lady is trying to push her bike accross the light. Her other had gone to Hwy 6 - their daughters SUV had stalled and no one would give them a jump start. We pushed her SUV to the lot. Had him follow me home, got my old oddessy 680 and car and started her bike and the car. I took them home, fed them, charged their batteries, gassed them up and off they went after about 3 hours down some back roads.

Here is the real point. They left Alvin, about 25 miles down Hwy 6 at 9pm last night. I met them at 8.30 am. They had been on the road all that time. You could walk it faster than that!

They were told to evacuate, there is no gas, the roads are not moving. People are pi$$y and shouting at each other- I am going no further with that as I am likely to express some opinions about 'leadership' that has 'everything under control', my tax dollars paying political appointees etc.

It is otherwise peaceful and quiet in the neighborhood.

Post by **mcooperstein** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:00 pm

My daughter and husband live in the northwest part of Houston. Irene said that it was impossible to get out, traffic was backed up for miles and it could take 6 hours just to move 10 miles. Consequently, they're gonna tuff it out. I worry about them....

Mark

Post by **socalrob** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:29 pm

I don't see how you can evacuate a big city. The traffic engineers need to figure out how to make some accomodation for shifting traffic from one side of the freeway to the other instead of the solid walls we have now. Seems that if your not going to drown the best thing would be to have a concrete bunker in your house, or at least know where a strong concrete building is, and stay put. At least Texas is above sea level. Lets hope this storm breaks up a bit before hitting land. Lets hope the Gulf cools off some & no more storms this year.

If any of you in Texas end up needing a place to stay, contact me in LA, I think I can arrange something nice & free. It would sure beat a shelter.

If we all pitch in together things will get better.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:36 pm

Good luck Big Jugs and any others that get caught up in all this.

DJ

Post by **arkline** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:54 pm

Got a post from Dallara (Allan) a bit ago. He's in Corpus Christi. Sounds like Rita is going north and east of him. Said that the evacuation had left the city looking like a ghost town.

If any of you guys need someone to call someone else, either before or after, and you can pm me here, I'll be happy to pass messages along or phone whomever you want to get in touch with...

darthrider · Post by **darthrider** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:05 am

Just when you think it won't get any worse...

Gas prices going up again, many stations already out of gas as far away from the Gulf as far North Texas, grid lock in many parts of the state as people try to evacuate, I-45 now all lanes totally Northbound, then having to funnel through a ONE LANE construction bottleneck near Dallas.

Tempers flaring, some isolated fist fights in Fort Worth Dallas yesterday for a place in line at gas stations.

Many Texas Gulf Coast residents trying to get away couldn't go North into gridlock so they went East on I-10 towards New Orleans. Now they are gridlocked and the hurricane has turned in their direction.

And now...early this morning a bus loaded with 45 elderly, infirm nursing home patients from the Houston area had a brake fire just South of Dallas. Most of them were carrying oxygen bottles. The bus rapidly became an inferno and 24 of the old folks burned up. I-45 and some connecting roads are now shut down in ALL directions while they investigate the accident and clear the scene.

What's next...locusts?

collyers · Post by **collyers** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:22 am

this weekend will not be a good one to be out on the roads in south/central/north Texas. In Dallas yesterday I saw many cars/trucks loaded up, with animal carriers & coolers (and gunracks) filled, headed north. Now, of course, Rita has turned eastward somewhat, but Beaumont & Louisiana will still see some hard weather & lots O rain.

Post by **geechie** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 9:39 am

Didn't mean to ignore you guys over in Texas. You've got a real mess on your hands and I feel for you in a big way. Juggsy, man hang on tight, you hear?

Same goes for the rest of you, too.

We (here in Charleston) had our eye opener with regards to evacuating the entire coast a few years back when Floyd blew through. All the major avenues of egress became parking lots. Population growth here on the coast is through the roof, and has been for 20 years or better.

Thankfully, the science/art 0f predicting storm tracks is a lot better too. Gives you a bit more time.

Post by **Deans BMW** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 11:07 am

Just talked to my sister in Lufkin, Tex., 120 miles from Houston up 59. She says that the town has become essentially gridlocked with people just pulled off the road and parked, all parking lots are full, all emergency shelters are full, all parks are full, some of the low lifes that you saw in Katrina in New Orleans are starting to cause problems in Lufkin. Her husband works at a hospital so he will have to stay at work, he is carrying BTW. My sis is locking her selfe in her home and is carrying as well, they are fully stocked with provisions, looks like Lufkin is in the storm track and is expecting at least 25" of rain.

Post by **Deans BMW** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 11:15 am

Imagine what would happen if a large city or any area with a very large population would have to suddenly have to evacuate. No amount of road building or planning or anything would help.

Mz Pam and I are increasingly happy about our decision to live far away from any highly populated area and have for all practical purposes become totally self sufficient.

collyers · Post by **collyers** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 11:50 am

You mean you finally installed an oil well and pump your own gas now?
Nice work. I hope Chainsaw isn't eating TOO well out there.
I'll thing postive thoughts for your kin over in Lufkin.