Anyone interested in pics as I ride out Rita?

[Mugsy]

IF, and that a BIG "if", I still have both electricity and Net access while hurricane Rita blows through here (I'm right in the path, on Houston's West side), maybe I can upload some photos... if anyone is interested?

I'm stuck here riding out the storm (the traffic is a snarled mess, even now at 10PM.)

Houston Freeway cameras.

[txindy]

1. Is traffic the reason you're stuck and remaining? n/t

[Mugsy]

5. That, and the lack of a better place to stay.

Pretty much.

I could have traveled to a friends house 100 miles to the North in the tiny town of Trinity, but the storm is likely to still be a Cat-1 even that far inland, so they'll almost certain to loose power up there too (I'm not too worried about property damage here). I'd much rather be home with no power than stuck in the middle of nowhere, 100 miles from home in a strange place, with no power. :)

[txindy]

23. All the best, then, if you're certain.

Take care and, yes, please, post away while you are able. We may lose power here, ourselves, but I plan to be online whenever possible.
:hug:

[Journeyman]

2. Bad link, Mugsy. . .

a double "http" in the url. . . or something. It won't load.

[Mugsy]

9. It should be fixed now.

Damn DU parser automatically inserts the "http://" for you.

I keep forgetting.

[goclark]

3. Shouldn't you be leaving!

Are you North or South of Buffalo Bayou?
Seems like you should be making an exit.

My friends live on Terrace Lane 77007 zip


Prayers.

[NJCher]

4. R U Cra_Z?

Mugsy!! Isn't there a way to get out of there!!????

Get out!!!

Yes, of course we'd love pics but that isn't gonna' happen. Go!!!




Cher



p.s. your link doesn't work but this one does:

http://www.khou.com/news/webcams/

[Liberal In Texas]

8. Hi Cher...bet you're glad you're in NJ!

[Lorien]

6. leave in the early AM

you still have plenty of time. I've been through a hurricane and have no desire to rubberneck at the misfortune of others. I'm more interested in hearing that you've evacuated.

[CoffeeCat]

7. Gosh...it's hard to think about pictures...

...just knowing that you are there and unable to leave.

I'm more worried about you, than anxious to see your pics!

How are you doing? Are you nervous?

Are you in a safe, solid structure on high ground?

Please let us know how you are doing.

I'm sure people are interested in anything you have to say or show us--and we're ultimately concerned about your safety.

So check in frequently and let us know how the weather is and how you are doing--and if you need anything.

OK?

[Lorien]

13. His/her power will go out as soon as the hurricane crosses

backup batteries last about an hour-maybe two. Thrill seekers who try to get photos during a hurricane risk being killed by flying debris (my neighbor glanced out of her window during Charley, and narrowly missed being crushed by a flying live oak limb).

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. ok I will say this now

get the hell out of there...

This is not funny, get the hell out...

[KitchenWitch]

11. That would be cool, but only if you are safe.

[DearAbby]

12. WALK OUT OF THERE....Hitchhike a ride where you can...Get out

If you can't get out by car, walk to an area where you can be picked up by a bus or something. there are some good people that will give you a ride if they have room. It is life or death matter.

Isn't the evacuation of Houston mandatory?

[Mugsy]

19. Mandatory evac for coastal regions and East side only.

The far East side, which is closer to the Port of Houston and Galveston, is most at risk and under a mandatory evac. The recommendation on my side of town (now) is to stay put.

Being the long time computer hacker that I am, I have three old backup power supplies around the house, fully charged. Plus flashlights, a radio, canned food and water. And if the problems last for more than a couple of days, I filled my gas tank up and can drive out afterwards.

I went through hurricane Alicia in 1983 when I was a kid. That was a Cat-2. The eye passed right over Houston back then. I don't think it'll come this far East this time.

[anarchy1999]

31. I was there for Alicia in '83, I'd only been living in Houston for a

couple of weeks and my new husband worked for GTE and volunteered to stay. I loved storms and thought it would be cool. It was the scariest night of my life and cured me forever of thinking sticking around for a hurricane could be fun! Get the F out of there Mugsy, it's just not worth it. Especially this time.

The eye for Alicia went straight up I-45 and tore the roof off the mall across 45 from where we lived. I didn't know until that night that hurricanes spawned tornadoes and I heard them all night long. The deafening roar is something you never forget.

[Pirate Smile]

32. and this one should be a lot worse.

Here is info from another thread

"HURRICANE HOUSING .ORG .... by moveon.org
http://www.hurricanehousing.org/results.html?zip=78705&...

For anyone looking for a place to evacuate to. It's sponsored by moveon.org so you'll probably be with less irritable people than the right wingers, no promises though ..... but seriously, we all know Rita is a monster. Please pass this link along to anyone in need. Play this one smart DU'ers, and stay safe. Prayers and Peace. "


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4845415

[annabanana]

14. Geez, Muggsy...

I wish you weren't stuck there..

[kedrys]

15. Where are you in West Houston?

We're in Westchase, a few miles outside the beltway.

[Mugsy]

24. Probably next door.

I'm in Westchase too (or is that TMI?)

[graywarrior]

16. If you could make it to Sarasota, my door is open

[Mugsy]

27. Sarasota?

<chuckle>

Just a WEE bit too far, plus don't forget I-10 was taken out by Katrina between Texas and Louisiana. :)

Thanks everyone for the offers.

[graywarrior]

28. I know, but the offer is there.

[karlrschneider]

17. Jeez, Mugs, I wish you'd reconsider...unless you're WAY west of town

on some high ground (I can't remember any)...

[Hissyspit]

18. Did you not see this thread, Mugsy?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4841611&mesg_id=4841611

Or this one?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4834367&mesg_id=4834367

[fudge stripe cookays]

20. Mugsy, reprehensor and I are outside of Dallas

Please PM me. If you have transportation, get the hell out of there now. It may be awful, but it will be worse the longer you wait.

You have a room here if you want it. Queen size bed, plenty of food and water, and a cuddly Pyrenees who would think it is awesome to have more belly rubs from a gullible hurricane evacuee.

FSC

[smartvoter]

25. Here you go. F*ck the pictures. Go to Dallas. nt

[smartvoter]

21. If you can get to Phoenix, you can stay at my place. If it's too far,

maybe another DUer close by can help.

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. I'm even farther out...

[Liberal In Texas]

22. You still have time to get out. I hear Oklahoma is nice this time of

year. (Better than Texas this weekend at any rate.)

My son and his GF are snailing up (as I write) from Houston to Dallas and when they get here we'll all have a jolly weekend.

Until Rita hits here.

Then the power will be out and we'll be buring the candles I bought today for light. Latest from a local wx guy is that No. Texas is expected to be feeling Rita until Wednesday! They say it's going to stall after it hits the coast.

So, my advice. Pack the car and head west or north. (I actually kind of like Marfa. It's cool in them old hills out there.) It may be slow, but at least you'll be safe.

Be safe.

-Lib....

[Peggy Day]

29. How about Washington DC?

[A-Possum]

30. Get out NOW

Read this. Please find a way to leave, you have time and you should.

Feb. 20, 2005, Models show 'massive devastation' in Houston

Houston's perfect storm would feed on late summer's warm waters as it barreled northward across the Gulf of Mexico, slamming into the coast near Freeport. A landfall here would allow its powerful upper-right quadrant, where the waves move in the same direction as the storm, to overflow Galveston Bay. Within an hour or two, a storm surge, topping out at 20 feet or more, would flood the homes of 600,000 people in Harris County. The surge also would block the natural drainage of flooded inland bayous and streams for a day or more.

Coastal residents who ignored warnings to flee would have no hope of escape as waters swelled and winds roiled around their homes. Very likely, hundreds, perhaps even thousands, would die.

Meanwhile, as the storm moved over western Harris County, its most dangerous winds, well in excess of 120 mph even inland, would lash the Interstate 45 corridor, including Clear Lake, the Texas Medical Center and downtown.

Anything not tied down, from trees to mobile homes to light poles, would become missiles, surreally tumbling and flying through the air, flattening small houses, shattering skyscraper windows and puncturing roofs.

Current forecast tonight (Wednesday) is for landfall near Freeport. This could change, but by the time you know, it will be too late. Leave now. Take whatever means of evacuation is offered and go to a shelter if neccessary.

[Hissyspit]

33. From A-Possums' thread:

Maybe you missed this article in the Houston Chronicle back in February which talks about computer models run on the effects of a cat 4-5 storm on the city:



Houston's perfect storm would feed on late summer's warm waters as it barreled northward across the Gulf of Mexico, slamming into the coast near Freeport. A landfall here would allow its powerful upper-right quadrant, where the waves move in the same direction as the storm, to overflow Galveston Bay. Within an hour or two, a storm surge, topping out at 20 feet or more, would flood the homes of 600,000 people in Harris County. The surge also would block the natural drainage of flooded inland bayous and streams for a day or more.

Coastal residents who ignored warnings to flee would have no hope of escape as waters swelled and winds roiled around their homes. Very likely, hundreds, perhaps even thousands, would die. Meanwhile, as the storm moved over western Harris County, its most dangerous winds, well in excess of 120 mph even inland, would lash the Interstate 45 corridor, including Clear Lake, the Texas Medical Center and downtown. Many older buildings could not withstand such winds.

Anything not tied down, from trees to mobile homes to light poles, would become missiles, surreally tumbling and flying through the air, flattening small houses, shattering skyscraper windows and puncturing roofs.

"Unfortunately, we're looking at massive devastation," said Roy Dodson, president of the engineering firm Dodson & Associates, which Harris County asked to model realistic "worst-case scenarios" for a major hurricane hitting the area.


Current projections today by the NHC show landfall near Freeport, "the perfect storm." This may change but the time you know it will be too late. Please take advantage of any evacuation procedure offered and leave, even if you must go to a shelter. This storm will cause severe damage hundreds of miles from the center. Heavy rains and flooding are predicted as it moves over Texas and stalls. You do not want to be sitting on flooded roads if you evacuate too late. Please go ASAP.

[LittleClarkie]

34. No, start walking if you have to

get the fuck out!