Galveston Island opens a shelter of last resort....

[tekisui]

A high school. 150 moved there so far. After 9pm tonight, there will be no response from police or rescue.

40% of population stayed on island.

From local feed...

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/feature?section=news/local&id=6102015

[jayfish]

1. Just About To Post That.

Truly, truly unbelievable.

Jay

ON EDIT:"After 9pm tonight, Galveston officials will not respond to anyone for anything."

[Cal Carpenter]

2. I'm listening to that feed too

My heart dropped when I heard that estimate.

It's not good :(

[SweetieD]

3. 40%! Did they realize the entire island is going to be under water in a matter of hours?

[nonconformist]

4. 40%?! Holy shit.

Speechless...

[tekisui]

10. 40% of their 2005 population is 23,000.

[Avalux]

5. How horrible. There's nothing to be done at this point.

The surge will top the wall and put the island under water.

[tekisui]

6. The authorities collected names and social security numbers

of those who stayed.

[RollWithIt]

7. 40%? Did any of them actually attend that school? Talk about stupid

Moronic.

[Retrograde]

15. Since the GOP spent 25% of their convention talking about Gustav

and how great it was that they evacuated and how well prepared everyone was this time, and the storm fizzled at the last minute, I can see how some people might think this is just the media crying wolf again. And after the evacuation mess that was Rita, I can see why some people may have chosen to stay.

I do wonder, though, if they've thought through all the consequences. Is the building they're evacuating to strong enough to withstand the wind and waves? Do they have adequate food? water? medical supplies? sanitary equipment? Are they prepared to hold out for a week? or more? And why are they living on a barrier island in the first place? And are they expecting us to bail them out - financially if not literally?

[SammyWinstonJack]

17. Many of them didn't want to leave because they did leave during Katrina and got caught in traffic

for hours and didn't want to go through that again. Heckuvajob Gov Goodhair!

[tekisui]

8. According to 2005 Census, that would be around 23,000 people.

[HereSince1628]

9. Anyone know if U.T. Medical Branch evacuated? n/t

[carlyhippy]

11. stupid...that island is nothing more than a sand barge barely above sea level

they will be sorry.

[Mari3333]

12. i saw that, and people still calling coast guard..

asking to be rescued..i guess they didnt think this would get this bad. fema officials seemed a bit pissed off at their press conference that so many rescue workers are being put in harms way because so many refused to leave..same thing in freeport, where people are sitting in bars saying they will wait it out..newscasters are going on and on with disbelief that so many people are staying..

[tekisui]

13. After 9pm, all cries will fall on deaf ears.

[rsdsharp]

14. My God!

A hurricane in 1900 nearly wiped Galveston off the map. They aren't much safer now. This is lunacy.

[eShirl]

16. this storm's surge is projected to be greater

and the 1900 one killed 6,000-12,000 people

[Mari3333]

18. a lot of people, as i am listening to the interviews

thought this would be like rita..and when they said category 2, they thought that meant 'safer'..but its not,,the swath of the storm is huge, and the surge hasnt even hit yet...this morning, many of them woke up and realized they made a mistake..and now they are starting to try to leave..
i would have been in ohio by now...

[Ichingcarpenter]

19. A 25 Foot Storm Surge and an elevation of 0-10 feet

MAJOR DISASTER

[WolverineDG]

20. At least one area announced earlier they were shutting off the water

I think it was Bolivar, but can't recall. They are not kidding when they say "Get out."

dg

[shadowknows69]

21. My Gods please keep those people safe

This could be more horrible even than Katrina. I'm so scared for those people.