Oh my, oh my, Jim and Karen and May and everyone else down there. I don't envy you guys at all. Even our local media is going nuts about this thing, and we're only expected to get winds around 25 to 45 mph, with about 3" - 4" of rain. Nothing like what you're experiencing. Good luck to you all, and stay safe!

Sally

All that water sounds scary.

Sally, your expected weather is a typical November-January day around here. Except add gusts to 60+ mph. 2-3 inches of rain a day for 2-3 days in a row. LOL

But the "ground" water coming up to and covering things it shouldn't is scary.

My thoughts are with everyone!

The water has actually gone down about a foot. The wind is gusting to I'm guessing about 50. It just started raining so we are locking it down for the night. A lot of people in Galveston and Boliver dd not evacuate. I think the ones they couldn't rescue are in big trouble. If you look at the map the water is back down to the second pine tree between the church and bayou. Tomorrow once it blows through I'll take some pics and when I get back home, if I still have one I'll post them. I'll be back when things get a little more exciting.

Thanks Jim, your updates are great.

Yay! We still have power.

The winds are gusting to 35-40 miles an hour and we are getting some rain. It will be interesting to wake up in the morning and see what all has happened in our area. I'll also take pics and post if I have power.

Our DD is on the phone with DH right now from Houston (I-10 & #6)...they have lost power.

/tricia

What about your boat, Jim?

Sally

Keep the updates coming please. I am watching the weather channel also and the fool reporters are standing in it again.

I left my boat at home Sally. I figured it would be safer there.
After my last post the wind laid down some and the rain quit almost as soon as it started. The guys down in the main building woke me up a little while ago so I could come get some pork chops they were cooking. It was raining and windy when I walked over. I was there about 15 minutes and the weather turned a lot nastier. The wind is really blowing now. It sounds like a tornado or something. I don't know how fast it is but it still has a long way to go to get up to what they say it will. I'm going to try to grab some sleep. I definately want to be up when the eye passes over.

Brennan's Restaurant in Houston just burned down according to Houston news.

Take care Jim. I'm wishing good thoughts for you tonight.

Stay safe all.

It's 2:30 here and it's blowing and raining like heck. I just heard on of the operators on the radio saying the wind wasn't too bad. It looks plenty bad to me. I got some good sleep and I'm going to stay up until the eye passes. I can go up high and see how much the bayou has risen then.

Just saw on the radar that the eye is about to begin passing over Baytown. Enjoy the calm. That part of the storm is such a neat experience, it's such a weird feeling. During hurricane Georges we were in the eye and it was perfectly calm. My cousins were about 8 miles away and were in the eyewall and getting hammered for hours because it stalled right over us. It was very strange because they called us on the phone and we could hear the wind howling at their house, but it was almost sunny at our house.

I hope Karen, May and everyone else is doing ok. Stay safe.

Yep we are in the west edge of the eye. It's calm but you can't see any stars.I guess we're too close to the edge. I got down to the water and it's 7 or 8 ft below the concrete which means we are 12 or 13 ft above normal now. I'm one tired SOB. I can't imagine how people feel that stayed behind in their houses with no power. It's gonna be bad news come daylight. I'm off to the cot for some more shuteye.

Jim, sleep well! You have earned it.

It is 5:30 in Chicago and I am watching the news for updates. Hang in there.

I'm just checking on everyone. Thanks for the updates Jim and Karen.

I can't imagine being in the middle of that. I just hope it moves quickly.

Tracey

I just got up and had to check in. I don't know how you can sleep through that. The reporter on t.v. is reporting from Baytown, and it looks pretty bad, but he's standing outside in the weather to do his reporting, just like an idiot reporter. He said a church (Lakeland? Lakeside? some name like that) had been damaged or destroyed.

I hope everyone is doing okay.

Sally

Hey Jim...thinking about you... hope you are well! I just woke up about 7 oclock NY time and put the news on right away before my coffe even perked! Looks like its calming a good bit but there showing a good amount of tree and flood damage.

ARe you there Jim? I don't know how you slept. Let us know you are okay.

I logged in at 6:15 to get your updates Jim; and turned CNN on. I woke up several times during the night thinking about all you in the path of Ike. I hope May and Karen are all right and can check in soon.

Lee, keeping you all in my thoughts along with everyone in the area.

Glad to hear some of you are weathering the storm! Has anyone heard from May? Good to know you are up pretty high on that bluff, Karen - the news had Lake Charles between two severe weather lines with tornado action possible.

Thanks for the updates, Jim. Everyone stay safe....it's not over yet.

Teresa

Was raining like mad here all night and I was dreaming of hurricanes.
Watching for checkin's by all those in the path.
Linda C

I stayed up most of the night tracking Ike. Some of the folks who didn't evacuate are calling the radio stations saying that "yes, they were warned so don't hold it against the officials but they don't know what is going to happen to them."

I am concerned now for May even knowing that she is inland some what. Houston is taking a great hit.

Karen, I know you got the eastern side of after your last post. I hope the river didn't rise more.

Please God, take care of our friends.

Cathy

May is most likely without power. The headline that I just read said 3million in Houston are w/o power. I hope that's the worst of it for her.
Jim & Karen, hoping that you're safe and dry and check in when you can!

I just called Karen and Charles told me that they are without power, and no mention of damage. Amen to that one!

Now we need to hear from May and Jim.

Peppi, I'm glad that you got through to them. I was getting worried when I couldn't.

I'm with you Ellen, looks like the road to May's area is under water.

Jim?

UPDATE: May is fine and has electricity unlike 90% of Houston. The flood is several miles from her house--at this time.

I'm just checking in before I shower for tonight's party, I'm glad that Karen and May are safe, I was hoping that James had checked in, then I'd be content that everyone was safe.

Annie

I just got home from work - we closed early because of Ike. Of course, it's not really bad here at all, but there's just not enough business to stay open today. We're getting light rain and wind in the 20 - 30 mph range, and it's supposed to get a little bit stronger. No big deal at all compared to what they're getting south and east of us. We did have a daughter bring her mother in to look around and shop. The mother is from Clear Lake, which is between Galveston and Houston, I think. The daughter told me she had to get her mother out of the house because her father was watching the coverage non-stop, and I guess it was making the mother a nervous wreck. I don't blame her. All they know about their home is that they are without power there. Luckily, they are safe and sound up here with family.

I was listening to reports on the radio on my way home, and they said 2 people have died so far, but they didn't give any details about how they died or where they were.

Hang in there, all of you down in Ike's path.

Sally

Anyone got Jim's cell number? Ann?

My heart goes out to everyone in the path of Ike. I watched it all day yesterday and woke up in the middle of the night and watched it. It's so sad and so much devastation!

Jim, I hope all is well with you.

Waiting for news...

I just saw a guy on CNN who said his house at 81st and Seawall in Galveston was completely destroyed. I guess my former condo at 83rd and Seawall probably saw the same fate. I'm sure glad I don't live there anymore.

Our cousin in Houston emailed and he has power, also, but he doesn't live on the south side. We haven't heard from any of our relatives down in the Clear Lake area, and aren't even sure where they went for the storm (or if they stayed at home). We haven't heard from my sister-in-law either, but she lives out near Katy so she should be ok. We've left phone messages and emails, but no responses so far.

I have lots of friends in Galveston. Some left, some stayed to work at the hospital, others I'm not sure of. I haven't heard from any at the hospital, but I know the hospital flooded and is not really even running a real emergency room -- they are just running a "Treat and Transfer"(according to their website). They are working on generator only and cannot handle traumas. (That's why you don't stay on an island that has mandatory evac orders!).

Jim, are you still in Baytown? Have you heard how your house is?

I'm sorry guys. We blacked out at 5:30 this morning and just got power back a couple of hours ago. Hell of deal to make electricity and have none. I just took a cold shower and it felt wonderful. I'm still at work but at least I'm clean. Last night when the wind shifted to the west it was most awesome thing I've ever seen and I was in the middle of Alicia. May will attest to it, it just never quit. We had hurricane winds until 9:30 this morning. Just when you thought it couldn't blow any harder or get louder it did. We went down and measured where the high water line ended up and we were 14 ft 4" above sea level so it was 5 ft lower than predicted. I'm about to bed down for the night and I'll go home in the morning. I'm was too tired to drive and there's no power there anyway. My neighbor said I lost a few shingles and my boat is ok. I came out lucky. Also the church did get several feet of water in it and I took some pictures from a sheltered place when the wind was blowing over a hundred. I'll post when I get power back at my house which could be weeks.

Jim, We are so glad to hear from you and that your property was relatively unscathed. I hope you can have a long restful night...I'm sure you need it.

Let's also hope it ISN'T weeks before you get electricity.

Life is good -- you still have that boat for relaxing and enjoying. Glad you are ok.

James, Glad to know that you and May and our other Texas friends are safe.

Ann

Good to hear from you, Jim. I sure hope you can sleep tonight, and that you have power sooner than you expect.

Sally

I'm so glad everyone here is safe! It's good you still have the boat intact Jim. I hope it isn't long before everyone's power is restored. I'm sure that's wishful thinking from what I heard. Ike was sooooo huge!

Beverly

Karen's neck is bothering her, so DH gets to give y'all the Lake Chuck update. Our electricity went out about 5 a.m. We hear it may get restored tomorrow. We are now holed up in a motel about a mile from our house. The loss of electricity is spotty in Lake Charles.

The river at our house rose 8-10 feet. We're on a bluff 19 feet above river level, so there was never any fear about us flooding. But, a lot of our friends' houses have flooded.

All-in-all Lake Charles was very fortunate. We're still not completely recovered from Rita. Baton Rouge still has areas without electricity from Gustav. And now Texas is devastated. Our friend from Houston staying with us will probably not have electricity for weeks.

Many thanks for all of your expressions of care and concern.

Karen and DH

I'm sorry for the damages you all suffered and for the inconvenience of being without power....but mighty glad to hear that all are safe.
Linda C

We just got home from a dinner party with a group of friends. I had been hoping that there would be a post from James and an update from the others. I walked in the door and straight to the computer. I'm so relieved to hear from everyone and that your problems are ones that can be fixed. It does seem unfathomable that Texas and Louisiana have to suffer so much and repair so much before the problems of three years ago are fully resolved. I hope all your friends and family will have weathered the storm without much damage too.

Thanks Charles for the update. I hope Karen will feel better in the morning and that you will be able to go home soon with electricity.

Dlynn, I've been thinking about you too knowing that you have family and friends in the area. I hope when you hear
from them that the news will be good.

Like Linda, I'm so sorry about all the damage and so thankful that you all are safe.

Lee

It's very good news to know that you are all safe. I get quite anxious when I watch the aftermath of Ike on CNN and the Weather Channel. Thinking about all those poor people on Galveston Island who stayed against all advice, then when they changed their minds and needed to leave because their lives were at risk, there was no one to rescue them. Such an awful, perilous situation for those who are bravely now serving as search and rescue personnel. Prayers going out to all, may Texas and LA recover quickly and may no more lives be lost. ((((Karen, May, Jim and families)))
DONNA

Just checking in to see how my Texas and LA friends are doing. So far it seems you're all ok, thank God! Hang in there guys. I'm thinking of you all.

Jim,

The satellite photos from Ike have just been released and I thought you might enjoy looking for your house. (it's a lot like those google earth pictures).

Here is a link that might be useful: satellite photos after Ike

A surgery resident at the hospital in Galveston where I used to work kept a blog during the hurricane while she was locked in. It's very interesting to observe her mood when reading from the beginning "Bring it on, Ike" through last night. The hospital has been flood with sewage and sea water, without power, had food rationed, etc. I've been locked in there for several storms and had to sleep on the floor for many nights and I understand some of how she feels -- at first it's exciting and fun, but it definitely gets old. They have finally decided to close the hospital for 2-4 weeks until they can get it cleaned and back in a safe and working condition, so the clinical employees will all be going home soon.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ike blog

I'm finally able to check in. First of all thanks to all for your concern! Your posts & phone calls mean so much to me.

We lost power at 10:40 pm Friday, just as the winds were really starting to pick up. We went to bed and I woke up at 2:20 am to incredibly loud winds and lots of loud noises. I walked around the house several times sure there would be damage but thankfully there was none.

Just as I finally fell back to sleep, around 3:20 am, the power came back on and woke me up. It was on for maybe 20 seconds then off again. We got a lot of rain at the house but actually nothing really major. I think most of the rain was to the east of us.

Our front yard has a large oak (very large) and an large pine, both of which got a nice pruning by Ike. There were branches and limbs and leaves everywhere. We did about 75% of the clean up but have more to do. We now have three large piles of tree debris at the curb.

Our power is still out and there's no telling when we'll get it back. I came to the office just to get out of the house. Our temps are dipping to high 60s thanks to a cold front from Canada (thanks Canada!!), so I'm hoping tonight will be more bearable sans A/C if we still don't have power, which I will be shocked if we do. Right now it's 62 hours without electricity and counting.

Gas stations which are open are few and far between with long lines. I have enough gas to get me to work & back for the rest of the week and then some so I will be able to ride it out. I'm going to try to get ice on the way home but not sure if I'll be able to or not.

I am extremely thankful that we made it through Ike with no damage. Some people have lost everything, many have had flooding and tree damage and more. We are very very lucky. This was a very damaging storm and very scary.

May, I'm without also. I got home at 3:30 yesterday, fianally. The north wind made sleeping bearable, thank goodness for that. I'd had enough by 4 this afternoon and went to my sister's house in Clear Lake. My parents are here too. She has power and we are camping here until it's restored. The devastation seems to be mostly trees once you get away from the coast. I saw a convoy of at least 50 poles trucks headed south on the way over here so at least they are giving it their best shot. I think the hunkering down has just begun.

Thanks for checking in Jim, May and Karen's DH! I'm glad you are all unhurt. (But what happened to Karen's neck?)

Jim and May, I am glad you both have checked in! Hang in there.

I talked to Karen today and she has power and just some branches down but all is ok. Actually, she called to check on us in Chicago! I asked about her pain in the neck, and she assured me I was not Charles, her DH, or the kids, but arthritis flaring up. How could it be Charles, is a treasure!