Hurricane Ike

Things are finally getting back to normal. We have electricity and we have a routine again. It was crazy and non-stop for a week and a half, and it all started when Hurricane Ike entered the Gulf of Mexico. We watched the news closely for days and checked the National Hurricane Center updates several times a day (even before it was in the Gulf since we were in the cone). We had planned on staying even if it hit Galveston directly, continuing its path to Houston, since we are not in a mandatory evacuation zone. Trying to decide whether or not to leave, prepare the house, the car, pack up, etc. reminded me of evacuating only three years ago for Hurricane Rita.

On Wednesday afternoon the state officials announced voluntary evacuation for Galveston. By Thursday morning, there was mandatory evacuation for Galveston and the low-lying areas in Galveston Bay (where my parents live). Schools districts in those areas announced closures, and the city started to prepare. The stores were packed that day as people scrambled to buy food and supplies knowing that power would be off for days. Eric still had to work that day, so I went to Home Depot in hopes of finding plywood to board up our windows. When I got to Home Depot, I couldn't find parking! The line inside for the plywood wrapped around the store!

The rest of the day was spent boarding up windows and running around to drop off food and supplies for people staying behind. I spoke to several people who had lived through Hurricane Alicia (1983) and read several blogs of that same storm. I started to wonder if we shouldn't leave. The phone was ringing non-stop as friends kept calling wondering what we were doing and what we thought they should do.

At 10 PM Thursday, the NHC announced the hurricane had weakened so we decided to stay. On Friday morning, I woke up at 5 AM to check the weather again, and they announced the hurricane was strengthening again, so we decided to leave. I went back to Home Depot to try to return some of the plywood (I bought too much). They were already shutting down the store, but I was able to sell it to a lady in the parking lot. As we were loading it onto her car, someone else came and tried to buy it off of her!

We left to San Antonio to stay with our friends and most gracious hosts, Brian and Lily. It was great to spend time with friends and they made every effort to keep our minds off of the storm. Although, Eric and I stayed up pretty late into the night the storm hit streaming Houston news from his laptop. Hurricane Ike hit directly on the east end of Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula one mile shy of a category three hurricane.

We live about 50 miles from Galveston, and the winds were still very strong when they reached our area of Houston. Our neighbors said it was a very scary experience, and something they would not want to live through again. So I was verys surprised to see how much damage was done in the area where I live. Since we are so far inland, we are not in danger of storm surge, but the winds can still be very strong, and of course, a hurricane, has many tornados. Here are some pictures of what I saw when I returned to Houston Tuesday morning. These pictures were all taken within a 1-2 mile radius of my home:




Centerpoint Energy is still working around the clock to restore power to the city. Thousands still without power--many schools are still not open.

Fences are down everywhere--I heard even as far inland as College Station!

This is everyone's front lawn as they wait for the city to pick up tons of debris...

This was in my complex--someone's carport completely flew off--yikes!

We have family and friends who were only allowed to return to their homes this week to see what condition their homes were in. Our parents' home were intact with just a few minor damages. We are grateful that everyone is OK and that the damages were minor compared to others.

So, you may ask, why do I still live in Houston? Its the nation's fourth largest city and the economy here is great! The jobs pay higher than average, but the cost of living is dirt cheap compared to other large cities. Plus, there are people from every country, which is always fun and interesting! Plus, its HOME. Both my family and Eric's family live here, but Eric is always saying he wants to move and experience another city. But for now, we'll be here!