Ike

[ybbodeus]

Reading SciGuy on Ike isn't terribly encouraging, though he points out it's very early.

http://blogs.chron.com/sciguy/

[remy]

This is one scary (again, early) projected path for SE Texas.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/AT09/refresh/AL0908W5+gif/144313W_sm.gif

[Bench]

I will be evacuating to Puerto Vallerta on Thursday.

[kevwun]

All 6 models have it hitting Texas now.  3 have it hitting around Galveston and 3 around Rockport/Corpus Christi.

[ybbodeus]

Been monitoring the live chat at his blog for the past hour.  Would have liked to have asked about the impact of the loop current, but I suppose I can google that.  He seems to think Corpus landfall, though he did say it was a guess.  Appears he's buying into the European model.

[kevwun]

Latest Models

[strosrays]

Appears he's buying into the European model.

Wonder if he adjusted for the metric system?

[ybbodeus]

Wonder if he adjusted for the metric system?

Or if those filthy, America-hating, chain-smoking Euro corksnoggers still factor in the duodecimal system just to fuck with us?

[kevwun]

Looks like Ike is heading to Corpus for the moment, but at the rate the models are moving south he might miss Texas all together.

[Waldo]

Here's hoping it hits Mexico, then turns north and passes over Austin.  We could use the rain.

[tophfar]

Here's hoping it hits Mexico, then turns north and passes over Austin.  We could use the rain.

Yes, because Mexico and Mexican's don't actually count when it comes to disasters.

[ybbodeus]

Will there be an Onion video reset here?

[Ty in Tampa]

Yes, because Mexico and Mexican's don't actually count when it comes to disasters.

Will there be an Onion video reset here?

Yes.

[strosrays]

Yes.

I saw a local weather guy last night say the storm was plowing across the length of Cuba (part of which already suffered mightily from Gustav), and that was a good thing, might dissipate the storm a bit.

First thing I thought of was The Onion video.

[Limey]

I saw a local weather guy last night say the storm was plowing across the length of Cuba (part of which already suffered mightily from Gustav), and that was a good thing, might dissipate the storm a bit.

First thing I thought of was The Onion video.

Cubans < U.S. Americans

[Duke]

Here's hoping it hits Mexico, then turns north and passes over Austin.  We could use the rain.

Wherever it hits please let it rain in Austin.

[Jacksonian]

Cubans < U.S. Americans

Communists aren't human.

[strosrays]

Cubans < U.S. Americans

The whole reason we let Cuba stay there, after all, 90 miles off our coast, is so it can shield us from hurricanes.  The Cubans should be pleased with themselves for doing a pretty good job this season, so far.

[subnuclear]

The whole reason we let Cuba stay there, after all, 90 miles off our coast, is so it can shield us from hurricanes.  The Cubans should be pleased with themselves for doing a pretty good job this season, so far.

They have free health care too!  They should be helping us really.

[MusicMan]

The whole reason we let Cuba stay there, after all, 90 miles off our coast, is so it can shield us from hurricanes.  The Cubans should be pleased with themselves for doing a pretty good job this season, so far.

Cigars?

[jonbloozy]

They have free health care too!  They should be helping us really.

Then why are we offering them money?

[strosrays]

Cigars?

That goes to wherever it is they make Swisher Sweets.

[HudsonHawk]

Looks like Ike is heading to Corpus for the moment, but at the rate the models are moving south he might miss Texas all together.

Latest models have it turning north towards Galveston.

[strosrays]

Latest models have it turning north towards Galveston.

Looks more like Port Lavaca to me..  And, Austin may get some rain out of it, too.

[drew corleone]

Looks more like Port Lavaca to me..  And, Austin may get some rain out of it, too.

There's talk about postponing this weekend's Texas-Arkansas game.

[TheWizard]

I don't recall so many storms making it into the Gulf..

[MikeyBoy]

I don't recall so many storms making it into the Gulf..

Short memory, huh? There have been 40 major hurricanes (Cat 3+) make landfall in the Gulf states since 1900, three of those 40 made landfall in 2005 alone (Dennis, Katrina & Rita). Another storm from 2005, Wilma was the strogest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin, which hammered the Yucatan before hitting Florida. Yet another Cat 5 (Emily) made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula in 2005, but never made it to the states, but was in the Gulf. 2005 was the busiest season for hurricanes ever recorded and seriously fucked some shit up, 2008 doesn't come close and hopefully we never see another year like it.

[TheWizard]

Short memory, huh? There have been 40 major hurricanes (Cat 3+) make landfall in the Gulf states since 1900, three of those 40 made landfall in 2005 alone (Dennis, Katrina & Rita). Another storm from 2005, Wilma was the strogest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin, which hammered the Yucatan before hitting Florida. Yet another Cat 5 (Emily) made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula in 2005, but never made it to the states, but was in the Gulf. 2005 was the busiest season for hurricanes ever recorded and seriously fucked some shit up, 2008 doesn't come close and hopefully we never see another year like it.

You have a good memory.

[austro]

Short memory, huh? There have been 40 major hurricanes (Cat 3+) make landfall in the Gulf states since 1900, three of those 40 made landfall in 2005 alone (Dennis, Katrina & Rita). Another storm from 2005, Wilma was the strogest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin, which hammered the Yucatan before hitting Florida. Yet another Cat 5 (Emily) made landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula in 2005, but never made it to the states, but was in the Gulf. 2005 was the busiest season for hurricanes ever recorded and seriously fucked some shit up, 2008 doesn't come close and hopefully we never see another year like it.

Was 2005 also the year that that tropical storm parked off the north coast of Honduras for about 5 days and just kept dumping rain on them? Or was that earlier?

[JaneDoe]

My brother and his wife live in Corpus.  She was expecting to deliver kiddo #3 at anytime.  She told the doctor she wanted to have the baby today before the hurricane hit.

Amber Nicole greeted the world this afternoon.

[MikeyBoy]

You have a good memory.

Some memory, some google.

[MikeyBoy]

Was 2005 also the year that that tropical storm parked off the north coast of Honduras for about 5 days and just kept dumping rain on them? Or was that earlier?

It was late in the 2005 season, I believe.

ETA: Wiki to the rescue. TS Gamma hit Honduras in November, 2005. LINK

[MikeyBoy]

My brother and his wife live in Corpus.  She was expecting to deliver kiddo #3 at anytime.  She told the doctor she wanted to have the baby today before the hurricane hit.

Amber Nicole greeted the world this afternoon.

Not Tina?

[mihoba]

My brother and his wife live in Corpus.  She was expecting to deliver kiddo #3 at anytime.  She told the doctor she wanted to have the baby today before the hurricane hit.

Amber Nicole greeted the world this afternoon.

Congrats, Aunt Jane!

[JaneDoe]

Congrats, Aunt Jane!

I'm just glad she won't be in labor with no electricity and 100+ mph winds.

[mihoba]

I'm just glad she won't be in labor with no electricity and 100+ mph winds.

Yeah, that's more like conception weather.

[Astroholic]

Yeah, that's more like conception weather.

The track moved closer to Houston in the last few hours it took me to catch up on the Palin thread.  MotherFucker!

[utastro]

I just heard that a new model has Ike coming up Galveston Bay as a Cat 4.  Das, any info on this? No link, just a posting on Horn Fans discussing the possibility of the UT vs. Arkie game being postponed.

[BizidyDizidy]

Here's the latest model run

[MikeyBoy]

Latest from NOAA

[utastro]

I have been monitoring that site but the last time I checked it was still showing the 8 am runs.  Apparently, the GFDL run is the one that the official forecasts have been following.  The GFDL was pointed at Corpus and then had the storm coming over Austin.  Now the GFDL has it pointed directly at Galveston and Houston.

[BizidyDizidy]

I have been monitoring that site but the last time I checked it was still showing the 8 am runs.  Apparently, the GFDL run is the one that the official forecasts have been following.  The GFDL was pointed at Corpus and then had the storm coming over Austin.  Now the GFDL has it pointed directly at Galveston and Houston.

GFDL is supposedly the most accurate one historically.

http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/models.asp

[MikeyBoy]

GFDL is supposedly the most accurate one historically.

http://www.wunderground.com/hurricane/models.asp

This site. Still shows the GFDL model projecting a Corpus Christi landfall.

[BizidyDizidy]

This site. Still shows the GFDL model projecting a Corpus Christi landfall.

Click my link above - the latest GFDL run hit's houston squarely.

[MusicMan]

This site. Still shows the GFDL model projecting a Corpus Christi landfall.

Actually, if you turn on all the models, it has GFDL as right into Galveston.

[MikeyBoy]

Actually, if you turn on all the models, it has GFDL as right into Galveston.

I see that now. I guess I hadn't hit refresh.

[utastro]

Actually, if you turn on all the models, it has GFDL as right into Galveston.

That one just changed to.  It was showing Corpus about 30 minutes ago.

[Spack McGrimm]

CMC goes through Houston.

GFDL is a bit south of Corpus.

BAMM and BAMS are going through Freeport.

This is as of 1:00 central.

[BizidyDizidy]

That one just changed to.  It was showing Corpus about 30 minutes ago.

The latest run happened at 1pm - guess it just depends how long it takes them to update their site (wunderground.com seems to have it about 15-20 mins after - I don't know if somewhere else is better).

[BizidyDizidy]

CMC goes through Houston.

GFDL is a bit south of Corpus.

BAMM and BAMS are going through Freeport.

This is as of 1:00 central.

At the risk of my spleen, this doesn't seem to be right.

[MusicMan]

Holy shit - Spack has taken over the weather.

PS - Spack, could you update us on your BAMF model?

[austro]

The runs have been all over the map (literally). They're having a very difficult time figuring out how much influence the approaching trough will have, and when. If Ike moves faster, it probably stays further south, if it slows down it probably goes further north. There's just a lot of uncertainty. Ever since it was east of Cuba the models have consistently wanted to put it north of where it eventually wound up.

But it would probably be a good idea to gas up now.

[mihoba]

Holy shit - Spack has taken over the weather.

Mother Nature is in deep shit.

[utastro]

CMC goes through Houston.

GFDL is a bit south of Corpus.

BAMM and BAMS are going through Freeport.

This is as of 1:00 central.

[DuckAndCover] I think those models got updated. GFDL goes through Houston now [/DuckAndCover]

[das]

I just heard that a new model has Ike coming up Galveston Bay as a Cat 4.  Das, any info on this? No link, just a posting on Horn Fans discussing the possibility of the UT vs. Arkie game being postponed.

If he goes as far north as Galviston, he won't be a Cat.4 storm.  The waters (and upper level atmosphere) don't support a storm of that strength.  If I had to bet, I'd say it will landfall closer to Corpus Christi or a shade north.  That said, Ike is a very large storm with hurricane force winds extending 80mi. in each direction and TS force winds over 200mi. in each direction from the eye so focusing on the specific landfall location is unwise.

Beyond 48 hours, it's still really murkey as there are two short-wave troughs to contend with.  One just exiting the eastern seaboard right now.  It did not pick up Ike so he will bend left of his current NW track sometime in the next 12 hours.  The 2nd, a digging trough that will emerge out of the Rockies in a few days will determine the course Fri and beyond.  Models are split right now but I like the ones (UKMET and ECMWF) that have this trough grabbing Ike and starting recurvature up into Arklatex just after landfall Saturday morning.

Big, bad storm. He'll get nasty before he calms down a bit (hopefully) prior to landfall.  Be careful, Texas.

[MikeyBoy]

Holy shit - Spack has taken over the weather.

PS - Spack, could you update us on your BAMF model?

It's projected to hit BZ's spleen.

[Spack McGrimm]

[DuckAndCover] I think those models got updated. GFDL goes through Houston now [/DuckAndCover]

It's going to fuckin' Corpus.  Don't ask me twice or it'll be up your ass.

[MikeyBoy]

Actually, if you turn on all the models, it has GFDL as right into Galveston.

Whoever created the CLPS model needs to check his math.

[utastro]

Whoever created the CLPS model needs to check his math.

It's orange.  It obviously was an Aggie.

[the KEG]

It's orange.  It obviously was an Aggie.

I laughed.

The CLP5 is not a model.  It just plots based on climatic averages of wind patterns.  Highly useless in this scenario, of course.

This message brought to you by an Aggie with a metr degree, FWIW.

[tophfar]

This message brought to you by an Aggie with a metr degree, FWIW.

You and das, weather fight.

[Bench]

Was it Zipp that guaranteed that Rita would make landfall in Matagorda Bay?

[Ebby Calvin]

I just heard that a new model has Ike coming up Galveston Bay as a Cat 4.  Das, any info on this? No link, just a posting on Horn Fans discussing the possibility of the UT vs. Arkie game being postponed.

The Horns/Hogs game has officially been rescheduled for Sept. 27, as I'm sure you know by now.  I had tickets, too.  Hope everybody stays safe this weekend.

[Lurch]

The Horns/Hogs game has officially been rescheduled for Sept. 27, as I'm sure you know by now.  I had tickets, too.  Hope everybody stays safe this weekend.

National Weather Service now calling for 6+ inches of rain and up to 60 mph gusts in Austin Friday night through Sunday morning.

[jonbloozy]

Models are continuing to change.  Not looking so good for Houston, make sure you're prepared and be safe.

[Bench]

Nasty northward turn in the latest models.  I guess I'm happy to be going on a long planned "evacuation" to Mexico tomorrow morning.

[remy]

National Weather Service now calling for 6+ inches of rain and up to 60 mph gusts in Austin Friday night through Sunday morning.

With the latest projected path, I'm starting to wonder if we'll even see a single drop here after all.

[JaneDoe]

With the latest projected path, I'm starting to wonder if we'll even see a single drop here after all.

Count yourself lucky.  I just hope to have a home left afterwards.

[remy]

Count yourself lucky.  I just hope to have a home left afterwards.

Hang in there, try to stay safe if you're planning on hunkering down... This one could get ugly.

[JaneDoe]

Hang in there, try to stay safe if you're planning on hunkering down... This one could get ugly.

Nope.  My zip code was just posted as a mandatory evacuation zone.  Heading out later. 

[Ebby Calvin]

Nope.  My zip code was just posted as a mandatory evacuation zone.  Heading out later. 

Good luck on the roads.  I'm not in a mandatory evacuation zone, so I think we're going to stay put.
Everybody be safe out there.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Good luck on the roads.  I'm not in a mandatory evacuation zone, so I think we're going to stay put.
Everybody be safe out there.

Amen to that.  Be safe, Jane.

I'm musing between staying at my apt. near downtown (which has covered parking) or driving to my folks place in old Katy.  I think the smart thing is to just tape the windows and ride the mofo out.

[Bench]

Amen to that.  Be safe, Jane.

I'm musing between staying at my apt. near downtown (which has covered parking) or driving to my folks place in old Katy.  I think the smart thing is to just tape the windows and ride the mofo out.

Load up on whiskey and beef jerky and ride the fucker out. 

[HudsonHawk]

Load up on whiskey and beef jerky and ride the fucker out. 

Ummm...loaded up on whiskey and beef jerky, you may want to be able to open a window or two.

[T. J.]

I think the smart thing is to just tape the windows and ride the mofo out.

I thought the window tape thing was a myth - a waste of time and tape.  Am I wrong?  (A quick google search seems to confirm that it does nothing.)

[BizidyDizidy]

I thought the window tape thing was a myth - a waste of time and tape.  Am I wrong?  (A quick google search seems to confirm that it does nothing.)

SciGuy said as much in his chat yesterday - supposedly it's plywood or dont waste your time.

[HudsonHawk]

SciGuy said as much in his chat yesterday - supposedly it's plywood or dont waste your time.

You mean tape doesn't stick to glass?

[strosrays]

Nope.  My zip code was just posted as a mandatory evacuation zone.  Heading out later. 

Just to be clear, "mandatory" is a legal term or designation that triggers things like level of federal aid, large companies releasing their employees, etc.  It does not mean you have to leave, Spack won't be beating on your door saying, "Flee now, or spleen?  Your choice."  Although, if I lived anywhere in western Chambers County or Baytown, I'd be getting the fuck out. 

Take care of you and yours.

[BizidyDizidy]

You mean tape doesn't stick to glass?

I wouldn't get a lot of comfort from being impaled by a tape covered shard of glass.

[Limey]

I thought the window tape thing was a myth - a waste of time and tape.  Am I wrong?  (A quick google search seems to confirm that it does nothing.)

I don't think it's supposed to help the window stay in place, it's supposed to hold the glass together if it gets blown in, to reduce the number of glass fragments flying around.  They used to do it in Limeyland during WW2 because of the air raids.  Of course, in WW2 they told everyone that RAF pilots ate a ton of carrots to imrpove their eyesight, to disguise the true effectiveness of that newfangled RADAR thingy.

[HudsonHawk]

I wouldn't get a lot of comfort from being impaled by a tape covered shard of glass.

If you're dumb enough to stand next to the window during a hurricane, I don't imagine being impaled by a shard of glass matters to you one way or another.  The purpose of tape is to hopefully mean only a dozen pieces of glass flying through your house instead of thousands. 

[HudsonHawk]

I don't think it's supposed to help the window stay in place, it's supposed to hold the glass together if it gets blown in, to reduce the number of glass fragments flying around.  They used to do it in Limeyland during WW2 because of the air raids.  Of course, in WW2 they told everyone that RAF pilots ate a ton of carrots to imrpove their eyesight, to disguise the true effectiveness of that newfangled RADAR thingy.

Exactly.  The tape isn't supposed to provide support or protection from missiles, only to keep the glass reasonably together when it gets blown in.

[BizidyDizidy]

If you're dumb enough to stand next to the window during a hurricane, I don't imagine being impaled by a shard of glass matters to you one way or another.  The purpose of tape is to hopefully mean only a dozen pieces of glass flying through your house instead of thousands. 

Every source says it doesn't help with that.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Load up on whiskey and beef jerky and ride the fucker out. 

Just to be clear, the "fucker" is the hurricane, not the after effects of the whiskey-jerky gumbo, right?

[JaneDoe]

Just to be clear, "mandatory" is a legal term or designation that triggers things like level of federal aid, large companies releasing their employees, etc.  It does not mean you have to leave, Spack won't be beating on your door saying, "Flee now, or spleen?  Your choice."  Although, if I lived anywhere in western Chambers County or Baytown, I'd be getting the fuck out. 

Take care of you and yours.

Western Chambers County would be me.

[Ty in Tampa]

Western Chambers County would be me.

Git! And be safe!

[Amy]

Western Chambers County would be me.

Best of luck to you.  Take care.

[mihoba]

Western Chambers County would be me.

Have a safe journey.

[HudsonHawk]

Every source says it doesn't help with that.

Every single one? 

[das]

You and das, weather fight.

Everybody always says they want to see a weatherman death cage match but whenever they do, they end up queasy and disturbed instead of entertained.

[strosrays]

Exactly.  The tape isn't supposed to provide support or protection from missiles, only to keep the glass reasonably together when it gets blown in.

That's if you use masking tape.  If you use duct tape, however, the tape will cause the hurricane force winds to divert over and around your home but leave the structure itself, including windows, entirely intact.  And if you make yourself a vest out of duct tape, you can walk around out in the storm.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

That's if you use masking tape.  If you use duct tape, however, the tape will cause the hurricane force winds to divert over and around your home but leave the structure itself, including windows, entirely intact.  And if you make yourself a vest out of duct tape, you can walk around out in the storm.

nominated....

[ybbodeus]

It was a stellar post, no doubt.

[Limey]

Just to be clear, "mandatory" is a legal term or designation that triggers things like level of federal aid, large companies releasing their employees, etc.  It does not mean you have to leave, Spack won't be beating on your door saying, "Flee now, or spleen?  Your choice."  Although, if I lived anywhere in western Chambers County or Baytown, I'd be getting the fuck out. 

Take care of you and yours.

Just been told the office is closing at noon, to re-open Monday if possible.

[Limey]

Every single one? 

Every single one except you and I.

[Amy]

Just been told the office is closing at noon, to re-open Monday if possible.

Yep, mine too.  The Eagles concert is still on tonight so far, so I'll be at the Toyota Center tonight.  After that, I'll head to Dallas as I had planned all along, unless the roads are gridlock.  I'm supposed to be heading to Pascagoula on business Tuesday anyway, so maybe I won't bother coming back to Houston until after that.

[BizidyDizidy]

Every single one? 

Yes, I not only processed the entire internet but also, heeding pravata's recent advice, every microfiche archive, private library, and 10th grade girls diary on the planet. Quite frankly, I was as surprised as you were that it was unanimous.

[Trey]

Yep, mine too.  The Eagles concert is still on tonight so far, so I'll be at the Toyota Center tonight.  After that, I'll head to Dallas as I had planned all along, unless the roads are gridlock.  I'm supposed to be heading to Pascagoula on business Tuesday anyway, so maybe I won't bother coming back to Houston until after that.

<obligatory>

I hate the fucking Eagles, man.

</obligatory>

[BUWebguy]

How are the roads looking heading out of town? Anyone heard expectations for that?

My 55-year-old single mom is in NW Houston and had an already-planned trip to Austin for my nephew's bday scheduled for Friday morning. If she left tonight after work (vs. 8 a.m. or earlier tomorrow), think that would be any better or worse as far as the travel goes?

[tophfar]

http://traffic.houstontranstar.org/layers/

[T. J.]

Some fascinating (and scary) stuff over at Dr. Jeff Master's latest weather blog post on weather underground.

[das]

Some fascinating (and scary) stuff over at Dr. Jeff Master's latest weather blog post on weather underground.

I'm not much of a hydrologist but it's nice to see him reference Dr.  Powell's important integrated kinetic enengy work.  Those of you on the central and northern coast Texas and inland low-lying areas should heed the evacuation orders that are being broadcast.

Dangerous seas are already being realized, central gulf buoys are already measuring 30 ft. seas.  Here's NDBC Buoy 42001, Ike is probably aroound 50mi SSE of this buoy right now.
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=42001

Scroll sown and look at the Atmospheric Pressure graph.  Zowie.

[Ty in Tampa]

We have tides 3 feet above normal right now. It's massive.

[strosrays]

When I heard 20 ft. waves this morning, some tiny, vestigal part of my brain was saying, "Grab your stick and head for Bolivar."

[Taras Bulba]

My old man and his favorite brother would head directly for the North Jetty with an approaching storm.  "That's when the bull reds run, son and we don't miss it."

Surfers would probably do good near the South Padre jetty right now.

[austro]

Surfers would probably do good near the South Padre jetty right now.

Insert link to video of the para-sailer who underestimated Gustav's winds here.

[das]

When I heard 20 ft. waves this morning, some tiny, vestigal part of my brain was saying, "Grab your stick and head for Bolivar."

Wave heights just offshore the north jetty have gone from 2' to over 8' in the last two days.  Bring your sex wax.
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/show_plot.php?station=42035&meas=sght&uom=E&time_diff=5&time_label=CDT

[Ty in Tampa]

We used to hit the Surfside jetty during tropical weather.

[Mr. Happy]

When I heard 20 ft. waves this morning, some tiny, vestigal part of my brain was saying, "Grab your stick and head for Bolivar."

Katrina put up a 30 foot storm surge. Ask those poor bastards on the Mississippi Gulf Coast about it. Evacuate.

[T. J.]

Yep, mine too.  The Eagles concert is still on tonight so far, so I'll be at the Toyota Center tonight.  After that, I'll head to Dallas as I had planned all along, unless the roads are gridlock.  I'm supposed to be heading to Pascagoula on business Tuesday anyway, so maybe I won't bother coming back to Houston until after that.

It's postponed, Amy.

[strosrays]

We used to hit the Surfside jetty during tropical weather.

We used to go to Shorty's Longest Pier, on 87 just past High Island.  Between there and another pier called Gulf Haven.  Shorty's got half blown away in a storm and renamed, the other got blown away completely some years back.  Excellent surf in a tropical storm. 

Now I fish there, or from the beach nearby.  Great for catching bull reds late in the summer, like about right now to October.

[Amy]

It's postponed, Amy.

Yeah, I saw that about 12:45pm yesterday and said, "well, it's time to go."  So I loaded up the car, caught my cat and put her in her carrier and we headed up 59 to Rayburn.  I met up with my godmother and her daughter (who had evacuated from Port Arthur at 4:30am yesterday) at my parents' house, we spent the night there and then we headed up to Dallas today.  Piglet and I are now happily settled in at the Fairmont until at least Monday.  I'll see the Eagles up here at the American Airlines Center instead.  Hurricane Party!

Ike looks worse by the minute.  I'm glad I left.  Best of luck to you all.

[Arky Vaughan]

Yeah, I saw that about 12:45pm yesterday and said, "well, it's time to go."  So I loaded up the car, caught my cat and put her in her carrier and we headed up 59 to Rayburn.  I met up with my godmother and her daughter (who had evacuated from Port Arthur at 4:30am yesterday) at my parents' house, we spent the night there and then we headed up to Dallas today.  Piglet and I are now happily settled in at the Fairmont until at least Monday.  I'll see the Eagles up here at the American Airlines Center instead.  Hurricane Party!

Ike looks worse by the minute.  I'm glad I left.  Best of luck to you all.

I hope your stuff doesn't get too messed up, Amy. I'm glad you got everybody out safely.