Damage From Hurricane Ike

[abercius24]

The strange thing is I was supposed to be in Houston this weekend for a Microsoft Tech Conference when Hurricane Ike hit. And being a former Californian, I had no idea just how bad this "storm" was going to be. Thankfully they called off the conference in time.

Houston and Galveston are beautiful cities. I took my kids to the Sea Wall in Galveston not 2 months ago where we played on the beach together. My wife brought them to Houston to join me after a training class. We also had a good time driving around Downtown Houston looking at all the towering buildings.

Now I look at the pictures they have on Yahoo.com news and I'm saddened by what I see. Mud and debris covering the beach. Yachts and boats on the main highways. Windows shattered on all those towering sky scrapers. Major streets covered with mud and water. Abandoned cars and buildings. People's homes burned from ruptured gas lines. And they're saying that 1000's of people are still trapped in buildings. I don't know what to say. It's a terrible day for Texans.

Here are the photos on Yahoo.com:

[url="http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Hurricane-Ike/ss/events/us/091208hurricaneike"]http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Hurricane-Ik...208hurricaneike[/url]

Apparently they're saying gas prices will surge due to all the damage caused to the oil rigs in the Gulf. Maybe everyone can remember to say a little prayer for residents of the Houston area the next time you fill up at the pump.

Edited September 14, 2008 by abercius24

[Fixxxer]

Galveston was hit badly but houston got lucky apparently, the strorm went more east than expected. I do think those 20,000 people that stayed at galveston are stupid though.

[Kilroy the Ninja]

[quote name='Fixxxer' post='1655399' date='Sep 14 2008, 04:03 PM']Galveston was hit badly but houston got lucky apparently, the strorm went more east than expected. I do think those 20,000 people that stayed at galveston are stupid though.[/quote]

I have to agree with you, anyone who could have left but didn't - stupid stupid stupid.


That being said, I feel for the people who could not leave (and I'm sure there were some).

Prayers for all though - God loves everyone - even the terminally stupid.

[abercius24]

More video on the damage in Galveston:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MDT7me66WI&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MDT7me66WI...feature=related[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOLMsCMgYDM&feature=user"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOLMsCMgYDM&feature=user[/url]


Bolivar Pennisula Devistated by Hurricane Ike:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na58dGNsxH0&NR=1"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na58dGNsxH0&NR=1[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWQnR0fjhYA&feature=user"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWQnR0fjhYA&feature=user[/url]


Here are some videos that show what Galveston looked like before the Hurricane:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti_UVAJiGpY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti_UVAJiGpY[/url]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1OOqlZ5XBY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1OOqlZ5XBY[/url]


Here is a before and after photo of the Bolivar Pennisula:
[url="http://www.groupnewsblog.net/2008/09/hurricane-ike-updates-aerial-photos.html"]http://www.groupnewsblog.net/2008/09/hurri...ial-photos.html[/url]

Edited September 17, 2008 by abercius24

[Don John of Austria]

Ahhhh Still NO POWER! But work has it.

[abercius24]

[quote name='Don John of Austria' post='1661067' date='Sep 22 2008, 01:52 PM']Ahhhh Still NO POWER! But work has it.[/quote]

I am still surprised at how much subtle damage was caused to Houston. I can't imagine living without electricity for so long. You have our prayers, Don John. Hang in there!

[Winchester]

I got power yesterday.

There is also power at work.

And cable.

And internet.

[Adrestia]

Before arriving, my aunt and uncle thought we'd be able to get it cleaned up in one day. I thought it would be three days. We were all wrong.

[url="http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2117220&l=2d865&id=2611470"]http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=...&id=2611470[/url]
Here are a few of my post-Ike photos. It's nasty!

The first thought I had after seeing my place was that those whose homes washed completely away were the lucky ones. I soon got over myself and started working. I was able to salvage a few things, like dishes that were on high shelves. They are just moldy. I figure it will be about a week to get the place cleaned, then gut the walls and cabinets.

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='Don John of Austria' post='1661067' date='Sep 22 2008, 02:52 PM']Ahhhh Still NO POWER! But work has it.[/quote]

The Louisville and Cincinnati areas just got power restored to everyone within the last couple days. Mine came on just a week after the storm blew through... and if it took over a week for cities in the middle of the country to get our power on, I can imagine it'll be over a month for some people in Houston. Sure stinks to know that a good $20-25 in food went to waste, and you multiply that by all the fridges and freezers in a whole city... that's a lot of food and money.

[Don John of Austria]

[quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1663424' date='Sep 25 2008, 09:18 AM']The Louisville and Cincinnati areas just got power restored to everyone within the last couple days. Mine came on just a week after the storm blew through... and if it took over a week for cities in the middle of the country to get our power on, I can imagine it'll be over a month for some people in Houston. Sure stinks to know that a good $20-25 in food went to waste, and you multiply that by all the fridges and freezers in a whole city... that's a lot of food and money.[/quote]


Still no power, and I would say a good 200 to 300 dollars of food went to waste out of my Deep freeze alone( my fridge and top freezer I don't even want to think about). The amount of loss city wide must be staggering.

[Winchester]

[quote name='Don John of Austria' post='1663489' date='Sep 25 2008, 12:13 PM']Still no power, and I would say a good 200 to 300 dollars of food went to waste out of my Deep freeze alone( my fridge and top freezer I don't even want to think about). The amount of loss city wide must be staggering.[/quote]That can be reimbursed.

[abercius24]

[quote name='Winchester' post='1663721' date='Sep 25 2008, 06:01 PM']That can be reimbursed.[/quote]


Imagine waiting in line at the DMV to get a license for your life back. Yes, you get reimbursed, but what a hassle the whole thing must be in the end.

[Adrestia]

[quote name='abercius24' post='1663880' date='Sep 25 2008, 09:14 PM']Imagine waiting in line at the DMV to get a license for your life back. Yes, you get reimbursed, but what a hassle the whole thing must be in the end.[/quote]
Yup.

Just met with the insurance claims adjuster.

It will be a quite a while...

[zabbazooey]

Are any of you back in Galveston?

[dominicansoul]

[quote name='tgoldson' post='1663422' date='Sep 25 2008, 08:01 AM']Before arriving, my aunt and uncle thought we'd be able to get it cleaned up in one day. I thought it would be three days. We were all wrong.

[url="http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2117220&l=2d865&id=2611470"]http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=...&id=2611470[/url]
Here are a few of my post-Ike photos. It's nasty!

The first thought I had after seeing my place was that those whose homes washed completely away were the lucky ones. I soon got over myself and started working. I was able to salvage a few things, like dishes that were on high shelves. They are just moldy. I figure it will be about a week to get the place cleaned, then gut the walls and cabinets.[/quote]

WOW TOVE! I wish I could be there to help you clean up! I feel for you chica! Prayers!

Edited September 26, 2008 by dominicansoul