I agree with Lewis Black that there should be a more meaningful naming system for tropical weather systems, because I, for one, refuse to let that monstrosity in the Gulf screw up my memories of the one true Rita.
As has been pointed out to me, I'm not the most logical in what I stress out about. Case in point: the aforementioned big freaking storm over which I have no control. We've made contingencies for staying (holing up with a friend who has a generator, keg, and firearms) and bugging out (visiting Mom in the Panhandle). We have water, batteries, and diapers, the cars are gassed up, and I may or may not nail plywood over the windows tomorrow.
Because if anything can stop a 2x4 blown by 80 mph winds, it's a sheet of plywood.
It's the waiting that's driving me nuts. The latest models are once again all over the place, but with consensus seeming to put landfall around Matagorda Bay. The storm is expected to intensify beyond...what was expected, and mandatory evacuations for Galveston are set to begin later today.
Some things will be a little clearer late Wednesday night, and I think we'll make the call whether or not to take off at that time. And of course, it's also looking more and more likely that I won't be making it to the Bend Film Festival this weekend like I'd planned.
Time for bed. We'll see what the morning forecasts bring.
Good Luck Man! I just saw that Houston's Mayor was calling for evacuation of flood-prone areas in Houston. I still remember seeing pictures of I-45 in Houston underwater last time you guys got dumped on by a stalled hurricane. Take care, get your family and go on an improvised vacation, and let us know how you are doing.
As a fellow Houstonian (Houstonite? Houstanian?) I want to thank you for the updates and the links. =] There's a lot of crazy rumors floating around, your updates are MUCH appreciated.
What are you waiting for, Doofus--the latest global warming debunking from Dubya's crack science team, an evacuation plan from the mayor of New Orleans or a disaster relief plan from FEMA? Get your sorry ass out of there! We don't want to see SWSNBN clinging to your roof top on the Sunday night news.
Am I being naive to think that all of the panicking going on around me is utterly ridiculous? I mean, the list of reasons why Houston is not New Orleans is huge. Even if a catagory 5 hits south of here, how strong can the winds be here in town 70 miles from the nearest coast. And if I lose power for some period of time, can't I just take one of the FIVE major highways out of town? Or maybe I'm an idiot.
Raybob's right, Pete. Take yourself, The Wife, and SWSNBN somewhere that isn't Houston and get away from this storm.
I'm getting the fuck out of here. Highways are only good if they aren't totally clogged.
Better safe than sorry. I'm taking my babies outta here.
hey, al get the hell outta dodge!! pack up the kitties and go vist your folks for a a long weekend .
Hey Pete, I'm with the last few folks. Get the hell out of there, man... better safe than sorry. This bitch is a Cat 5 now -- and it still has a whole Gulf to cross.
Will keep you & fam in my thoughts.
hey, pete. whatever you do, I hope you're safe. Like a good American I've been ignoring the news entirely this week so I've no advice.
We're sticking it out. You're all invited. Bring your own liquor. We can't promise fresh limes if things get ugly.
"Am I being naive to think that all of the panicking going on around me is utterly ridiculous?" --Basshole
You don't remember Hurricane Alicia, do you?
Shit. I barely remember this morning.
if you are gonna stick it out are at least gonna pack up some things so that when it gets real bad and you shit a kitten you don't have to waste time gathering stuff up?!
Our neighbor, Big Gay Gary, just dropped off his key, a case of wine, and a stack of (straight)porn. We're gonna make it. : )
Category 5!!!! Take the baby and your wife and HEAD FOR THE HILLS, Pete! God be with you.
This just in--Rita's now the third most powerful hurricane in Atlantic storm recorded history. B-hole, I think you're gonna need a bigger case.
I talked to Pete this afternoon. Actually, I was trying to hit on his wife, but he was in the car.
Anyway, they are motoring their way upstate, hoping the laptop has enough juice to keep Elmo entertaining SWSNBN.
BassHole, Godspeed, bro.
Glad to hear that Pete took the smart route. Basshole, this is the third strongest hurricane ever -- and it still has more time to get stronger. Really wish you were heading out. But if you're determined to stay, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
I think we are all getting at something here and all kidding a side( well most ) there is a reason the better part of the city is sitting on a highway right now... rita and it ain't the good kind this rita has gotta chipped rim on her glass and I am afraid it's gonna tear your shit up!
Jeez guys, now y'all are making me feel bad. Not too bad of course. I AM drunk...
I just drove the Beltway going East-West towards the airport (I work nights thereabouts). Thank Zombie Jesus that I go East-West.
Why, you ask? Because I passed over the I-45 North freeway, that's why...and it's a fucking parking lot. From North horizon to South horizon, as far as the eye can see, the roadway is a solid mass of head-/tail lights trying to get out of town.
Ever driven I-45 North on the Wednesday night right before Thanksgiving, at about 4:30pm? You know how hideous that gets? Well, this is worse...infinitely worse. I've lived in Houston all my life, and I've NEVER seen it like this. (And I heard from a coworker that I-59 North is in the exact same condition.)
Katrina seems to have scared the proverbial shit out of my fellow Houstonians.
The 11:30pm update...
According to sources, it's a 60 minute drive to go from 1960 to Louetta via I-45. (For you non-Houstonians, that translates to about 2.3 miles).
Two mph on the freeway. Yikes.
(And on the Hardy Tollway, it's a 30 minute drive to go from Louetta to Spring Cypress--about 1.5 miles.)
We know it's serious because TTTWLAM only made one joke in two comments.
Our best to all in the path from Darkest New Jersey.
Pete, we're all thinking of you and hoping you and your come through this thing OK. Take care of your family, dude. A whole lotta cromulence is riding on your safety.
Rita just hit Cat 4.
As a news and weather junkie, I vote for heading to the panhandle. Hurricane free and a beautiful woman behind every tree.