Calm Before the storm

[sereneorange]

The traffic situation with the evacuees is insane. I am really worried about all the people stuck on the freeway when Rita rolls in. I feel much better about staying here now. I was going to go a little north to parents house, but the further East Rita moves, the more I thought it would be okay to stay. If I have to be stranded somehwere without power, I would rather be here with all my clothes and books than to sit around in the same 3 outfits in the swealtering heat and none of my things.

My friend Jose sent me a text message last night around 1 AM. He was in Loveland and was looking for a hotel. He had his family in his SUV, and the traffic made them 10 hours late for their hotel reservations and the room was gone. He had been driving around for Hours looking for a room. I looked up a bunch of different Hotel 800 numbers to see if they could find an open room for him.

Today at around 11 AM, he sent another text message asking if roads were open to come back into Houston. I am guessing they never found a room. He said people were getting into fights at the gas pumps over fuel. He was sick before he left and driving around in the 100 degree heat wasn't helping. I am sure he used little to no AC to conserve fuel.

I assumed the roads are open to come back as they have closed the contra flow lanes.

Con is in heaven. We have lifted the TV and gameboy ban for the duration of the Hurricane time and he is currently watching Buffy. and reading while we still have light. When there is no light he will switch to gameboy.


Took a few more pics of my area pre-Rita




This is my favorite tree around. It is in the median in front of my apartments. We love the way it looks at night when we look out our window. I hope it survives okay.


Wind is picking up some around here, but the skies are overcast without hurricane clouds. This is looking South down my street. I am hoping to get some pics of Rita rolling in later on.


This is looking North up my street, Bellaire, toward the Texas Medical Center. I have no idea where all these cars are going. Nothing is open. The last store closed at 8 PM last night.

I love the trees aroundhere. I hope they are all still standing when it is all over.

Comments

[theclamsman.livejournal.com]

It's cat3 now (yay?). But I just woke up and have yet to read the news...I did see briefly that NOLA is flooded again... x_x

[serene-orange.livejournal.com]

it sure is. I woke up to that. and the news that the bus carrying the elderly from the nursing home down the street from us exploded on the freeway killing 24 people. Not a great start for the day.

[colbyfan.livejournal.com]

I saw that on the news this afternoon. You're in my prayers. Stay safe.

[serene-orange.livejournal.com]

will do. Thanks.

[onnotangu.livejournal.com]

at least everyone gets to come back

[serene-orange.livejournal.com]

yup. I am not anticipating any flooding here. I am just a little worried about the wind, but it is down to cat 3 now. I am feeling good

[onnotangu.livejournal.com]

stay safe Honey cloud.

[alichick2004.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine the fustration he must/is feeling. I mean it's one thing to be stranded at home but to be on the road and with the crazy fucks out there.... WOW.

[serene-orange.livejournal.com]

he is safe. He spent the night in a Wal-Mart parking lot with about 50 other cars. There was a security cart riding around and in the AM, people came out and gave them Donuts and milk, juice, and water.

He found a 3 bedroom trailer to rent and a hotel room. A shelter took his two giant dogs for $15 a day.

[alichick2004.livejournal.com]

Thats good to hear.