I am *somewhat* out of the line of Rita, BUT....

[Bouncy Ball]

the lines at gas stations are wicked long. They ran out of the cheapest gas, then ran out of the medium priced gas. Now a few places are out altogether. I saw a guy fill up his Dodge Durango, then fill up six gas cans from the back.

Lots of people doing that.

I went to get cash out of the ATM and it was out of money, second ATM same thing. Third ATM finally had some, but not for long from the looks of the line behind me.

Cell phone lines are iffy, you get a lot of "All circuits are busy."

The normal dangers are flash floods and tornadoes spawned off the hurricane.

Problem is, this one has kind of been breaking some rules all along, so we really don't know what to expect. When I heard it would possibly still be a category 1 as far north as Dallas, I knew all bets were sort of off. I haven't seen the latest trajectory, I'm on a laptop with limited battery time and have to type quickly to save it. I'll check TV for that.

I'm hoping the predictions of several inches of rain are true, and not the predictions of "up to 30 inches" as they were saying on TV last night. The ground is hard and dry, as it is this time of year, and that much rain that fast isn't going to soak in, it's going to sit on top.

I am still in Texas, not as far north as I would like, but this will have to do. I have some friends who live in Spring, Texas (just north of Houston) who opted to stay there with their three small children. I honestly think that's a huge mistake and I am worried sick about them.

DUers in Texas, stay safe. If you have family or friends who are still too far south, do whatever you can to convince them to try to get out. Even being in your car to the north is better than being in your house to the south at this point.

To add: temps and heat index in most of the state are still very high, triple digits. We really hope the power doesn't go out.

[DS1]

1. That's just rude, filling six cans AFTER you fill your car

I'm not going to get into the fact that your typical SUV has a gas tank triple the size of a small car and the same resultant range, but talk about Christian values! Leave some for the next guy you assholes, worry about filling up your next cans AFTER you leave the immediate-need zones.

Fucking fucks.

[Bouncy Ball]

5. After he finished, I was next.

Right before I pulled up, the attendant came out and put a little sign on the medium grade, next to the cheapest that said "Sorry we're out!" So it was get the premium grade or (ironically) drive around looking for cheaper. I knew it was hopeless and the lines were getting longer so I paid for the most expensive and cussed him the whole time.

[DS1]

15. Bastard

I'm glad you got some premium, but at what price you got bought it for is less relevant than the 6 gallons somebody else could have used. For me, 6 gallons -even in the most extreme city mileages which this is- is 20. That's 120 miles. Because some asshole doesn't have any concept of common good, or sharing.

[Bouncy Ball]

16. They weren't gallon gas cans.

They were those large ones. Five gallons, I'm guessing?

[DS1]

17. Okay, 30 gallons

There are now 2 cars in line that won't get gas from this station, probably after consuming a relatively large portion of their tank waiting in line.

Again. What an asshole. I'd have got in his face if I were there, I'm just like that. If he had his dad in the car with him on a ventilator running off the cig lighter that would be one thing, but AUGH!

[fishnfla]

11. He may have a generator and needs gas for it too

eom

[DS1]

13. Where? Back home!

If so, why fill it up on his way out?

Even if he does have a generator, don't most people with generators already have gas? I mean, if you're the survival type, you have a generator and gasoline that you cycle into your car and replace once a month, right? Unless you're a freeper fuckhead.

BS argument.

[RagingInMiami]

20. Down here

That's a very common thing to do before a hurricane. I don't do it because I don't have a generator nor extra gas cannisters -- and it is very frustrating to see people do that -- but in these situations, it's every man for himself.

[DS1]

22. I know it's now every man for himself

but how about filling up before the season? instead of being some poseur asshole who takes it all at the last minute.

[fishnfla]

21. I and many people here do the same thing with our generators

during hurricanes. I have 6 jerry cans in the garage now, but I dont keep them filled with gas, not until I need it for the generator. I worry about a fire hazzard

After the storm, the generator is going to still need it, whether he is fleeing or not

Its very common around hurricanes to see people filling the cans for their generators, is all I'm saying. Sorry for pointing that out

[DS1]

23. Cycle the gas during hurricane season if you're that worried about it

It's called Hurricane season, not "holy shit a hurricane popped up out of nowhere day".

[fishnfla]

27. What do you care anyway?

I remember during hurricane Dennis you bitching that you couldn't fucking care about hurricanes because they only hit rich coastal homes. Guess Katrina learned you that hurricanes dont discriminate, huh pal?
You have no idea what goes on, so why bother commenting?

[DS1]

29. You're right, I couldn't care about rebuilding the beach front properties

in known hurricane zones, but if they are going to be built at least build them to some sort of code. But no, that never happens, because the housing lobby will bitch and moan and file all sorts of lawsuits if suddenly Congress decides to enforce practical standards for new homes.

I'm just learning that Galveston is worse than NO in regards to how high off the sea level it is, 7 feet at its highest point. You have to be some sort of idiot if you don't expect your property to be destroyed every 30 years at that point - living in the Gulf. You should have all sorts of insurance. No, it's not a matter of the Feds paying for levees, New Orleans was a mistake in the first place, because we live under a Government that cares nothing about its people. Holland got away with its levees because they are quite frankly more civilized than us. They don't shun drugs, or porn, or other vices, instead they spend their time thinking about and investing in keeping their people and their property safe from natural weather disasters that will happen one way or another.

Besides, Dennis hit 2 years before DU was even started, so I don't know where you got that bullshit about me not caring about rich homes getting slaughtered.

It's not about rich or poor, it's building around common sense. Hell, even the poorest of homes in the area should be built stronger, because it's a proven Hurricane zone. Yet, people still keep building weak houses in those areas. Why? It's because it's a source of continous revenue. Yet, it's a source of continous revenue of building shitty houses on every taxpayer's expense because as soon as a Hurricane hits the insurance companies go begging and pleading to their local and federal senators begging for relief money.

So, a shitty beach-front house is built, some buyer buys it, he buys insurance. A hurricane wipes him out. He applies for help from his insurance company, they find some clause that says they don't have to pay him shit. The insurance company turns around to the Federal Gov't and says "Look at all these claims! We can't possibly afford this!", the Feds reimburse those insurance companies (who were paid with insurance money) with tax dollars to fulfill their obligations. And the cycle is complete.

You buy a house. You pay insurance on it. You pay taxes on it. Your house gets fucked. Your insurance company says 'Fuck You'. Your insurance company says to the Gov't "We're gonna need those tax dollars, too". You get nothing from your insurance company. You get shit from the Gov't because they gave it all to the Insurance company. You're left on your ass because you chose to buy a house in an area known for massive, incomprehendable, 3-foot sea-wall leaping, damage. Because the people around you didn't want to pay local taxes and reiforce the seawalls.

[Eurobabe]

2. I am worried sick about my friend and his wife and their animals

and they are near AUSTIN. I tried to call him this afternoon, six times I got "all circuits are busy now, blah-blah." He's not worried, but I am. Tornadoes, flooding, etc.

[knowbody0]

3. you stay safe, Bouncy Ball

post when you can, you are so in my prayers
love and peace

[nadinbrzezinski]

4. take care bouncy

[flamingyouth]

6. Fenris' parents are still there.

:(

[Bouncy Ball]

7. WHAT?

Oh no. They're in Houston? Where is he?

[flamingyouth]

14. He's at school in San Marcos.

But they are north of Houston. I wish they had left. :(

[doublethink]

8. Hunker down Bouncy Ball ......

let us know your okay when you can. But stay safe, take care of yourself and your own for now. Your in our thoughts and prayers. Now get off this board and get moving. Seriously. :hug:

[Bouncy Ball]

10. We've done everything we can do for now.

We are where we are and this is where we'll be. Like I said, not as far north as I'd like, but we are definitely not in immediate danger when it hits land or anything, no.

It's the amount of water it brings that is worrying us at this point. And all there is to do is sit and worry.

[doublethink]

18. Are you on 'higher ground' ?

Flooding? Make sure you have things prepared to 'go up' ... if that's it. If your with family and friends, get your heads together and go through all the 'what if sceneries' you can. I know what a pain in the ass that can be, and you probably already have done all this ... but ya gotta do it.

[Bouncy Ball]

19. We've done it.

And there's not really any "higher ground." So to speak. I mean, if we could get to Oklahoma, we could get away from the possible flooding.

[doublethink]

25. Where are you exactly ? Town?

In a hotel?

[ninkasi]

24. Where are you right now?

N/T

[BlueJazz]

9. I'll be thinking of you Bouncy.......A BIG Kiss!

:loveya:

[Blue Belle]

12. Take care of yourself Bouncy Ball....

you and the rest of the DU'ers who are in Rita's path are in our thoughts and prayers.

[denile01]

26. My son is still in Houston

and I'm scared. He's been a resident of Texas for only 6 months and is not is the "evacuation zone" but close. His apartment is within walking distance of the Galleria which I think is downtown?

He reports the same kind of gluttony at the gas station and grocery stores. He was out til midnight getting his tank filled with what was left and will leave town when and if the nightmarish traffic eases some. The last thing he wants is to be stranded in his car in the hurricane. I'm urging to leave tomorrow if he can.

I don't understand how whoever is in charge down there expected everyone in Houston area to be able to get out.

[doublethink]

28. Optional route ......

South to Corpus Christi ...... and inland to Laredo. That's what I would do at this point. Seems everyone is headed to North Texas and Oklahoma away from the coast which is in the path of the storm anyway where storm is chasing them, turning North. Thus traffic. Forecasters say it's gonna go inland weakening. I would go south, away from traffic and the projected path of the hurricane ... and then inland. Mexico might be an option too. Just a thought at this point. All the best to your son. Peace.
on edit: if you pass this possibility on to him, have him check the traffic south, then inland, on the path I layed out. Prayers.

[denile01]

30. Thanks much, Doublethink

I'm still able to call him and will pass on the suggestion. Makes sense to get out of the path.
He's with 2 other people from his apartment building and they are planning on heading to a co-worker's house northwest of Houston tomorrow.
Thanks again.