It'll take years to repair the beaches and buildings there. My friend owns an historical home in Galveston and is just sick about having to leave it.

Eva, my friends' B&B was a historical home about 6 blocks from Seawall Blvd. They put in a pool and jacuzzi while they owned it. It was called Island Jewel.

I hate to see people get wiped out by a storm and I sympatize about their losses, but I can't feel sorry for Galvestonians because the possiblilty of an ocean surge overrunning Galveston is a well known hazard. Circa 1900, Galveston was a bustling city with a large financial district. The town was wiped out by a hurricane, and the financial district moved away. Losses were huge. A sea wall was constructed to impede waves from running inland, but that wall can be topped. The town has never regained its size as compared to other cities in Texas.

When one buys or builds there, they should view it as temporary with the realization that storm driven ocean surges can overrun the island as it did this time. This should have been no surprise.

Now comes the $64 question: Should the rest of US citizens shell out milions of dollars to rebuild residences in this known hazard zone?

That is a very unfair question....millions of people live on coastlines throughout this country, in areas that are suseptible to fires or in areas prone to tornadoes. Where would you suggest people live?

It's not unfair at all!

Why should the rest of the USA continue to rebuild areas where common sense tells you to avoid?

Galveston City Hall is just 6 feet above sea level...

Some people feel they have an inherent "right" to live anywhere and have the same services, support and protections afforded others. I don't agree. The south coast gets hurricanes all the time and many of us wind up paying extra to cover their insurance because they don't pay their fair share on the risk. Is that fair? Should you even HAVE insurance in fire-prone, hurricane-prone, flood-prone areas? New Orleans is below sea level. Is that even logical to expect no problems??

I have cousins northeast of Houston. But at least they know to be farther inland and not complain when the hurricanes come. It's part of their choice to live in that area. The reports are that power will be out for weeks to over a month. With the temps and dewpoints down there I can't understand anyone living there in the first place. But to each their own. As long as you support yourself anyway.

I started to reply to jemdandy yesterday, but then didn't post it.

I totally understand her position. I also question the people now asking to be rescued, or just needing to be rescued, after defying the evacuation orders.

Personally I do believe, if you stay, you need to take care of yourself, and not cause others to have to pay for your help.

I also know, if you are in an area without electric (been there, done that during last years ice storm in Tulsa) you can do ok, but barely. We were cold, people down there are hot. We had water, but no electric, and ran out of fire wood. We were lucky, as we had a gas stove, but we also have camping gear, and could have used that for cooking our food. Restaurants in the area were also closed, no electric. Grocery stores were out of perishable and frozen foods, besides, the cash registers didn't work, no electric. Like I said, we managed. Of course, most times I have enough food for a week or so in my pantry.

I think, it was easier for us, cause it was cold. But, you can still manage.

Your food doesn't spoil overnight! Cook it. Eat it. Invite others over that have none and share it. Lots better than throwing it out.

Above all, take care of yourself. Whether you stay, or leave, make sure you can take care of yourself.

Sorry, may seem tough, but that is my opinion.

Moni

It is a sad situation and I would never wish the likes of Ike on anyone but it does anger me that they build homes that are bound to be inundated if there is any huge storm. If you paid any attention to some of the before pictures, there are neighborhoods intentionally built where the water comes practically up to the door and certainly within 50 feet or so of the yard. Many many of the buildings down there are also hastily thrown together summer places that are not even meant to withstand. It burns me up too that people choose to ride out the storm. That is basically what made Katrina the catastrophe that it was...People just knew more than the weather authorities, and they put themselves into the position that they found themselves. There has always been a certain bravado in staying behind. Buy some beer and burger meat and let's party while the storm passes. I don't care where it is, California or Mexico or the Northeast or Florida or TX you want to take the risk, fine do it but don't put the rest of us who buy insurance in a position of having to pay for it.

People who live inland and are not in a flood zone, I can understand staying behind but when you are basically below sea level already, then I say..get to he// out, even if the storm "might" not land right on top of you. And my feelings are....if you want to build or rebuild in a place like that...your insurance should be way beyond unreasonable or you shouldn't be able to get it at all.

What really bothers me is that people were calling begging for help in the middle of the storm that night. So, they expected rescue workers to put their lives on the line when they chose to stay. I also wonder where those parents brains were, with small kids who stayed behind. Ok to risk your own life, but not kids who can't make that decision.

i am surprised people agree w/ my opinion on rescueing those that should have evacuated and building in the path of hurricanes. i live in FL and after hurricane andrew litterally wiped out south FL the state enacted very strict building codes set up by zones where the worst winds could possibly be. those laws caused building costs to more than double but losses have significantly dropped off. aside from our strict building there's homeowners insurance that costs a fortune here. down south on coastal areas they easily pay $12K a yr in insurance on a condo, not even a house. my modest old house in orlando costs $2500 w/ a $5K hurricane deductible. and good luck getting companies to cover anything, they won't and don't have to cuz you must be insured no matter what the costs so if you try to file a claim they can threaten to drop you.

we do routinely have coastal areas wanting beach erosion fixed to the tune of several million $$'s a yr. that really bothers me cuz we have new hurricanes every yr and replace all that sand those people live on every yr w/ tax $$. but they always find the $$... i live in orlando and can not replace my front door on my own. i must have someone certified to do it and replace the entire framework, which is 20 yrs old. that work is then inspected by a building inspector, it's the law. i'm pretty positive TX is not up on governing things like this because a brand new Hooters Restaurant was completely wiped off it's foundation in galveston. storms worse than Ike (a mild 110 mph) come thru the Keys every single yr and you never ever see damage anything like that. i do have a friend w/ a condo in galveston, it has 2' thick poured concrete walls & automatic hurricane shutters, did cost $2 million in 1990 thou. i'm sure he has no damage on the 13th floor and really if you want no damage you must build it to withstand cat 4's and 20' of surge.

BTW in case everyone did not know this...insurance companies here in FL can not pass on the costs they incur w/ hurricanes to homeowners outside of FL. when we have a hurricane which is every yr LOL our rates go up significantly (mine have gone up 400% in 4 yrs w/o a claim). the costs are not passed on to other's outside this state, it's a state law i believe. i had alot of damages in 2004 and nationwide would not cover any of them. it really really bothers me when you hear of people who get $$ from their insurance company for hurricanes and then rebuild in the same coastal place again. i saw a news report just before gustav from waveland MS of a couple whose beach side house was wiped out and they rebuilt w/ insurance $$ and said they'd rebuild again w/ insurance $$ again if needed from gustav....sure made me want to know who their company was lol. people who live in any other area of this country always get their insurance claims paid, even for total losses in a tornado, but here in FL is unusual to get much paid, you really have to have the finances to overcome it on your own. ~ liz

Boy, you people are really cruel. Most people lost everything they own. For some, this is the only place they've ever lived. This is their way of life and all they konw. Cut them some slack! There's no place on this earth that's immune from Mother Nature. I live in a area that's prone to tornados but have only actually been in 2 in my whole life. The other times, it went around us. So, does that mean I should move because of what MIGHT happen? Give them a break!

All I say, is if there is a mandatory evacuation notice, get out.

Don't ask for help if you decide to stay.

If you stay, be prepared.

Actually, if you leave, be prepared.

Take care of yourself!

Moni

Add my name to Monis posts, both of them.
I was raised that if you need a helping hand; look at the end of your sleeve.

Ron

I agree that if you were warned to get out and you didn't and need to be rescued then you should have to pay for them to risk their lives to save you.

However, the issues are not as simple as you may think. I'm a 5th generation Galvestonian. (I happened to marry a Minnesotan and live there now so I missed all this weekends fun and games!) My family was there during the 1900 storm. That was the last time my family suffered any consequences from a hurricane. I myself have been through many hurricanes in Galveston and Houston. I repeat, no one in my family has lost any property or had any significant damage since the 1900 storm. The wind and water was never enough to do any real damage for us.

As far as evacuating goes, no one ever talked about evacuating until the 1980's. It was practically unheard of. The first time my family tried to evacuate with my grandmother in the 80's they were stuck on the highway for 18 hours for what should have been a 90 minute commute. The storm took a turn and went somewhere else otherwise they certainly would have died in their cars on the highway. Plus, some people have no transportation or place to go. There was a story of an elderly woman who had been calling for three days before the storm hit trying to find a way to evactuate with no success. She was stuck in Ike on the first floor of her apartment in a retirement complex, floating on her mattress with her cat. She was finally rescued by a neighbor who had to carry her to the second floor the next day. If they want them to evacuate they should have some concrete plans for everyone, not just people who can afford it.

Living elsewhere is kind of silly. We all depend on the oil being produced in the Gulf and where do you expect the workers to live? They live in Galveston and other coastal areas so they don't have to commute to work. What about the fishermen who bring you seafood? My family have been fisherman and captains for many generations. We don't expect sympathy or handouts. We have chosen to live there and continue to live there. I will add that we have never lived on the west end of the island, which is complete insanity. My family has always lived behind the wall. The insurance companies no longer insure those homes on the west end, either.

I hesitate to voice my opinion here because I'm sure I'll get slammed. Thanks anyway for giving me a place to express myself.

Bigbaby, I understand your feelings....and you are correct, in the old days people did not evacuate. You either left if you were afraid or stayed and died. I also live on the Gulf Coast (SW Louisiana) and we never had to evacuate until Rita, 3 yrs ago.

But I do believe people should leave if they are told they should. And for those who cannot, due to no money or transportation - their are numbers to call to get a way out of the danger zone.

Still, not everyone will do that. So rescues are going to be needed...in my book those brave men & women (first responders) are heroes, and deserve a very special place in heaven.

Susan

I'm with BigBaby on this. If the Gulf is your livelihood you live near there.

You can bash Coastal Inhabitants, but people sure like to vacation there don't they? LOL. Who do you think is going to work at all those Resorts and Restaurants and Tourist Shops?

Gayle

Hi Gayle

I am glad to see you post. This means to me, you either have electric, or manged to get online someplace.

I hope, this means you are ok.

By no means, do I expect anyone to move because of some "natural disaster that could happen". I myself live in the so called Tornado Alley.

I just get so tired of the pleas for help, and the "I feel so sad because" stories.

I guess, I should shut up and get out of this post.

Moni

Bigbaby, you're not alone and as you've said, where work is, is where we live and our lives are.

My family moved to Houston from Colorado because we couldn't handled the cold and snow. We didn't have many location choices to warmer climate because we wanted to be close to our family/relatives. Many were working in Houston where the oil industries were blooming and there were work waiting for us.

Although, we live in hurricane path, at least, we know ahead of time to evacuate. Whereas, place with earthquakes or tornadoes, you have none or very little advance notice.

I do agree that if officials said to go, you should go and not expecting rescuers to come to you during the storm. With Ike, rescuers did come but only after the storm had passed and that it was safe for them to try to rescue.

I also do agree that since we chose to live in such areas, we should do all we can to be prepared and protect ourselves from disasters.

But, we too pay for power service as well as others and we do have the right to ask the officials to do their best in bringing our power back.

AND, WE TOO pay taxes as everyone else in the nation and have the right to expect help from the government officials and other organizations in time of need.

Although, I did chose wisely to live further away from the Gulf Coast, I, with over 1 million of people, are living with no power. Fortunately, our corporation is running on generators, and had opened the company for those employees who can get back to work. It's not only helping us to get back with our normal life but the corporation is also giving us some daily life comforts that we're missing while waiting for power restorations..... Comforts like air conditioning, running and hot water, internet and working telephones for communication and in my case, power to recharge my wheelchair.

That's how I'm communicating with you today. So... if you can't agree with us or wanting to blame us, could you all please at least wait until the recovery had accomplished. There's enough stress within this disaster and the aftermath. When we're looking for some comfort to our forum friends, certainly, that's what we would like to expect and see.

Remember, we too go to work and pay our taxes. Thank you.

Natalie

Quoting an above statement...If "they "want them to evacuate "they "should have some concrete plans for everyone, not just people who can afford it.

This kind of thought is what the problem really is....people wanting others to be responsible for their own safety. That statement about people who can afford it is outrageous too. What more can some official do other than bring in hundreds of buses and set up buildings in safe areas for people who need to get out. If you are an invalid or need special assistance, you personally should be responsible for setting that plan in action. People are kind and generous beyond belief and to assume that in the throes of some natural disaster, "they" should take care of you is BS.

Yes, there was a # to call if you had Special Needs and wanted to evacuate.

Moni, I did great. I was on the "clean" side and only got 60mph winds. No damage here and I'm only 75 miles are so inland.

All hurricanes are different. You never know what is going to happen.

Gayle

We got a lot of damage here--2 trees on my house and several other ones down. I talked to a gal volunteering at one of the shelters here and she said she's never seen such ungrateful people. They're out there fighting and causing a lot of trouble. Of course, they did have 1600 people in an old Wal-Mart that was designated for 800.

Gayle, funny how you mentioned about the registered number (211) for the needies. I'm disabled, in a wheelchair, and live alone. Of course, I called to register. But.... I wasn't in a qualified area! Guess, that's good in a way.

Fortunately, I'm never alone and I seemed to be the most prepared person on the street! I normally have relatives and family that evacuate over my house and I usually ended up helping my neighbors out. Life is funny, isn't it?

Ruthie, the elderly woman in the article called several agencies for several days before the storm to arrange evacuate and was offered no help. The busses came after the storm to get people off who stayed through the storm and now want to get off. I'm quoting a story that was either in the Houston Chronicle or the Galveston Daily News. I tried to find it again to put in a link but I can't.

Is this the article about the elderly woman that no one came to help her evacuating? The story is about halfway of the article.

Here is a link that might be useful: Retirement community evacuation

Hey, ntt--same lady, different story. The one I read was posted on Sunday and included what happened to her Friday night/Saturday morning, until another neighbor came and helped her up the steps to a vacant second floor apartment. Thanks, ntt.

This reminds me of a comedy routine by the late Sam Kinnison. Remember him? He was rude and crude and shouted some of his punch lines. He had a routine about people starving in Africa. He say something to the effect of: "Well, OF COURSE they're starving! These people live in the DESERT! Why the *&^% do they live in the DESERT? You can't grow food in SAND!!!!! Why don't they MOVE????"

Now, I know this hurricane is a terrible thing and I do feel sorry that people lost their homes and some lost their lives, but there is some truth in the late Mr. Kinnison's joke.

The story sums it up pretty well, if anyone is still interested.

Here is a link that might be useful: Galveston Daily News

The other day on the History or Discovery channel they had a program about the potential Volcanic action in the far western states - about half of the USA Perhaps all those people in that area should move to Iowa or the northeast where there is potential flooding or the far west coast where we should expect "The Big One" at any time. Now what about all those people in Ohio and Ill who also suffered from Hurricane IKE should they have anticipated that and moved?
It is easy to pass judgment on where someone else should live. I agree that there should be help but not a bail-out for recurring losses. But if we can send billions to foreign countires when they have disasters I think the home crowd should get first attention. I agree that personal responsibility is of utmost importance as well as protection of your family and property. There are always going to be freeloaders and looters It is something we have to deal with.
No Flames please JMHO

Oh gimme a break....

"potential Volcanic action"
"potential flooding"

That is not at all the point.
The point was that some areas... such as those at or below sea level... should not have dense housing populations that need frequent assistance.

There are many good points here on each side. While I do feel sorry for those who lost everything I can not feel sorry for those who "chose" to stay behind. Some people said they had to stay behind to "protect their valubles". What is more valuble then your life? They say "I'll ride the storm out" and take my chances. Okay...that is your choice but then don't complain when you can't get anyone to come rescue you. The news reports say that they are doing search and recover and people should not attempt to get back into the area.

Take Katrina for instance. Many people did not have a way to evacuate. But for Gustav transportation was provided...yet many people stayed behind. For Ike...people seem to think "Well the last storm didn't have much damage so I will ride it out". When storms like that approaching you should get out immediately...mandatory or not.

SamKaren
your resident DJ

Like the article said, Ike was only a Category 2 and Hurricane Carla, which I rode out when I was 5 years old in 1962, was a Category 5. It was unusual for people to leave the island for a storm then and many people, particularly older folks who have ridden out many a storm, didn't think Ike would be any different.