Posted by No/ta/ry/2u on 9/16/08 2:04pm
Msg #264371

Hurricane IKE Never again

Hurricane Ike has come and gone and that was one hurricane that I will never forget. Lights went out Friday 7PM and as of today still no electricty, gas lines are 2 to 3 miles long, the only food you can find is can goods, nothing else, stores have lines that take 2 to 3 hours just to go in and buy a few items, Walmart is having trucks deliver items 2 to 3 times daily but by the time it is your turn to go in meat, bread, milk, eggs are already gone.

I have been thru hurricanes before being born and raised here in Houston, but Ike was a strong one, trees moved back and forth, falling on homes across the roads on power lines and vehicles. Our house seemed like it was breathing when the hurricane hit, the wind would whip around the house and the front and back door would sound like someone was trying to get in. The sound that the wind made and continuously for hours was something you won't forget.

My 93 year old dads home in Gilchrist texas was completely wiped out in fact the whole town of Gilchrist was demolished. Only one home was left standing. It was hard to tell him that his home was gone and he had no insurance. To see him start crying was so heartbreaking and hearing him say that he is ready to go, he has lost his home.

Brenda I know Ike made it your way and I hope you are safe and sound.

All we can do is rebuild and thats what we will do.

Reply by jba/fl on 9/16/08 2:25pm
Msg #264374

I am so aware first hand of your trials and tribulations from the hurricane having watched much the same in 2005 - Charley ripping off the roof, Jeanne flooding interior and Rita & Wilma sapping the balance of the house. Rebuilding is all you can do - life goes on, it is what makes us stronger giving us resolve beyond our wildest imaginations.

I understand your dad's feelings too - I remember trying to mop up the flooding from the roof and then just giving up and going in and lying down for a nap. Exhaustion permeated my bones and finally got my mind. But when I awoke (symbolically speaking here) I was refreshed to view things differently as another beginning. The older we are, the more difficult the task becomes. Perhaps there is something you can recall that will spark a smile or two of remembrance of a hated chore that will no longer need to be done; a neighbor's dog that will no longer annoy him; the garbage man throwing his cans in the wrong place. Some triumph that comes from no longer being faced with a particular something.

I really do wish you well: strength, patience, courage, resiliance. Maybe cut out a paper heart and pin to your dad's chest saying it came from the Wizard of OZ...laughter is the best medicine.

You have my thoughts and prayers...

Reply by No/ta/ry/2u on 9/16/08 2:31pm
Msg #264376

Thank you so much for the words, you living in Florida go thru the same and as you say we can only rebuild and continue. My dad hopefully will continue to be with us and I will bring up things we can laugh at.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/16/08 2:31pm
Msg #264377

L: I am so, so sorry to hear of your father's home! The pictures of Gilchrist are frightening. There is nothing at all left of the town. It is flat.

I'm fine! My family holed up here for the duration. College Station was indeed spared. My family have cleared out as of this morning...gone out to look at their homes. Fences down...no utilities...other outside structures blown away or demolished.

They will try to tough it out w/o electricity...may be back.

Gas is not all that plentiful here. Many people drive over to get it and take it back to Houston, et al to run generators. I believe the supply is available, just may have to get off the beaten path to locate it.

We, too, have had lines...no bread for days in the supermarkets. The minute they fill up they are cleared off...they were filled up three times on Sunday and immediately cleared each time.

My son and DIL are with his dad and step-mom in Angleton/West Columbia area. They still have no power and are surviving with a generator. My son's grandmother was in the nursing home and is at home with them. Some or all my move north to my home if they continue to be out of electricity. In fact, I know they will all be joining me (and others?) on Friday if things have not changed. Their generator is running the AC and fridge to keep Grandmother comfortable. It ain't cheap by any means and gas in that area isn't on every corner.

Reply by MW/VA on 9/16/08 2:59pm
Msg #264382

Sorry to hear about your father's loss. It sounds like everyone is safe, and that's what's most important. That storm was very powerful & the damage is very devastating. Thanks for keeping the board posted & letting everyone know how you are. Same goes for Brenda.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/16/08 3:15pm
Msg #264387

Thanks Marilyn. Right now, I'm feeling truly blessed.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/16/08 3:44pm
Msg #264390

Very telling pictures of Ike.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/the_short_but_eventful_life_of.html

The little town of Gilchrist, Texas mentioned in this thread is shown...completely obliterated.

Picture #7 is of the beach about seven miles from my birthplace and where I grew up...my family on the coast are all about 10 to 25 miles inland from that point.

My son works in Houston just a couple of blocks from where the Chase Morgan building is pictured.

My town was spared...but everything east of me and south of me felt the wrath of Ike.

Galveston will have to rebuild like it did after the 1900 storm. My heart breaks for Texans who have been displaced from homes, as well as their pets.

http://www.kbtx.com has details of a one day food and $$ donation drive happening tomorrow.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 9/16/08 5:52pm
Msg #264404

Re: Very telling pictures of Ike.

A picture sure is worth a thousand words. Those left me just stunned. What amazing shots! My heart, too, goes out to all who were impacted by this devastation. It's hard to even comprehend what people are going through... shades of Katrina (and many others) all over again. How very, very sad!

Reply by Linda Juenger on 9/16/08 6:43pm
Msg #264407

Re: Very telling pictures of Ike.

If anyone is interested go to www.kmov.com There are amazing pictures of the floods in the St. Louis area from Ike. Its nothing like Galveston, but pretty amazing what Ike did 700 miles away in a couple hours. You should see the completely flattened corn fields in IL. Our farmers took a huge hit. I couldn't believe it when I saw them Sunday.
Prayers to all affected. Just a horrible thing to happen.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/16/08 6:46pm
Msg #264408

Wow...that's tough Linda.

Thanks for letting us know! We will all be affected by the corn fields, won't we?

Reply by jba/fl on 9/16/08 7:50pm
Msg #264415

Re: Wow...that's tough Linda.

"We will all be affected by the corn fields, won't we".

Didn't think of that at first, yes, possible big impact...