Man rescued from home in surge zone earlier in the afternoon - "It was unbelievable"

[TornadoTN]

He said he survived many other hurricanes in his home with little to no real danger. But he said that earlier this afternoon, his house was competely surrounded by water, all routes of escape cut-off, and the water level was rising at levels that he never saw in any other Hurricane previous to this one. He and his two dogs were rescued by the National Guard in a helicopter. He was relieved, but visibly shaken and concerned when the reporter questioned him and he related his story. "I've never seen anything like it, things are going to be awful out there. Just unbelievable"

This was taken from an interview just a couple minutes ago on KHOU. Remember that this took place hours before the storm was even close to shore. Now, as the storm starts to crawl ashore,try to imagine how things have gotten since that point several hours before. People, we are looking at an epic catastrophe in the making.

[babylonsister]

1. This could be why they've been evacuating for two days. This guy

is lucky; there are many others that won't be.

[TornadoTN]

3. Yes indeed. He said he didn't have a way out - no car, relies on others for transport

He said that he had a friend that was on his way this morning to pick him up, but couldn't make it to him, so he was pretty much forced to stay.

Maybe he had other options, but I feel for the guy. Few options and a certain sense of hope due to his past experiences. That's what made this story really made me take notice - he was a weathered guy whose reaction just struck me as so authentic and striking.

[babylonsister]

6. There were many services available for those that were interested,

including free rides out of town.

I don't know what to say. I feel for him to an extent, but if he didn't take advantage of what's available, that makes it harder.

[TornadoTN]

9. I understand - I think he feels the same way

People still didn't take this thing seriously, for a variety of reasons - some more understandable than others. I still feel a lot of heartache and compassion for all of them - regardless of the legitimacy of their reasons. No one deserves to suffer like this.

[JonLP24]

12. I don't drive and I have 2 large dogs

I couldn't live with myself if I left them behind to die. I'm sure they wouldn't be allowed on a bus. I'm just so glad I'm not in that situation and I wouldn't know what to do if I was.

[tnlefty]

5. My thougts are with you as well.

Stay safe! :hug:

[babylonsister]

11. Thank you! I keep typing, power's on, I'm okay-LOL! Thanks, tnlefty. nt

[Xipe Totec]

2. People definitely did not understand the magnitude of the storm

When the National Weather Service said: CERTAIN DEATH, they were not kidding.

(CNN) -- Residents living in single-family homes in some parts of coastal Texas face "certain death" if they do not heed orders to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Ike's arrival, the National Weather Service said Thursday night.


The unusually strong wording came in a weather advisory regarding storm surge along the shoreline of Galveston Bay, which could see maximum water levels of 15 to 22 feet, the agency said.

"All neighborhoods ... and possibly entire coastal communities ... will be inundated during the period of peak storm tide," the advisory said. "Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single-family one- or two-story homes will face certain death."

The maximum water level forecasts in nearby areas, including the shoreline of Matagorda Bay and the Gulf-facing coastline from Sargent to High Island, ranged from 5 to 8 feet. But authorities warned that tide levels could begin rising Friday morning along the upper Texas coast and along the shorelines of the bays.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/weather/09/11/hurricane.ike.texas/index.html

[tnlefty]

4. I was seeing the panick in the reporting of meterolgists on the weather

channel as of 8 this morning our time. Since then, I've seen pictures of kids and animals in the path of Ike, and it has my stomach churning. Kids and animals shouldn't be sentenced to an "almost certain death" because of the older humans.

I have candles lit and I'm hoping for the best for everyone facing the wrath of Ike. I don't know what else to do right now.

[TornadoTN]

7. It's a horrible feeling many of us are sharing

I don't have anyone in that area, but I'm sitting here glued to the TV and DU trying to stay on top of this thing. I dont want to see anything like Katrina again, but this one may well be a disaster of even more horrific proportions. I hope not - but what I've seen today doesn't give me much hope.

The kids especially. They don't have a chance or a choice aside from follow their parents or guardians, some have shown horrible judgment by treating this as a fun event.

[goodgd_yall]

8. Heavy rain is hitting Galveston right now

The radar shows the orange and red bands at Galveston as I write.

[Catherine Vincent]

10. I saw that guy.

He was pretty shaken up and very thankful that he was rescued. He said he had never seen anything like it before and he went through Carla and Alicia.