IKE - the storm from hell

IKE - the storm from hell Two weeks, two &!#$% weeks without electricity. Never in my life did I think that living in the 4th largest city in the USA will feel like living in a third world country. The night of the storm was scary. At 10:00pm we lost power. Transformers were blowing all around us in crazy green and blue colors. It was like an eerie fireworks display. The next morning, we came out to assess the damage. My car had a new hood ornament in the shape of the tree that used to be on the side of the house. The street was blocked by trees and brunches. The neighbors came out. We all tried to figure out we needed to be done next. It was Saturday, so we assumed that we will probably be without electricity for a day or two. We were prepared for that. Everyone put their hands together and we started to clear our street. Three hours later, our entire neighborhood was clean. Piles of trees were nearly packed in front of our houses; the streets were free of any major derbies, other than the electrical polls that landed in the middle of the street. We set up a barbecue block party that evening. We were hopeful. The weather was nice and cool. That was what we call in “techie” the demo version, Microsoft style. By Tuesday, we still had not electricity, no grocery stores, no gas stations and no one at work. The ice trucks did not come on time – as was promised by FEMA, but in true Texan spirit, our Mayor and County Judge contacted a local grocery store chain, and they brought in the ice. They brought us MRI’s that needed to be microwaved?!?! We had one old fashion phone; you know that one that does not need electricity to work. Our cell phones did not work either not even for texting. We were disconnected from the world. The local TV stations, along with several local radio stations broadcasted as if they were radio stations. The anchors at the TV station kept reminding their reporters that no one can see anything, and they have to describe everything. The National news apparently stopped reporting about our situation after about four days. On the fourth day, they started bringing generators to town. And here we were, with one computer on, no internet, no email, no fax, just one phone line, and no cable. I had to explain to our customers that we have to do computer work to candle light. On the other hand, we truly enjoyed the spirit of the community around us. Everyone was helping, and sharing. Even at the darkest moments that is always something good that helps bring the light on.

IKE is coming

I am not quite sure what to think of this. I have lived in Houston for 22 years. Usually they warn us, and then nothing happens. Just like when Rita hit. We were ordered to evacuate. We left on a Wednesday to go further inland – to Willis Texas. In Texas terms that is very close – only 60 miles away. Those were the longest 60 miles of my life. Yes, we were stuck in traffic for 18 hours. We could have walked faster. Two days after the storm past we were able to make it back. It took that long for a gas station to open and dispense the allotted 8 gallons per car. The place we stayed at did not have power since the night of the storm. When we got home, we discovered that nothing happened here. It was at that time that we decided never to evacuate again. People are saying this storm is going to be bad. They asked everyone in Houston to stay put and free the roads for the cost line residents. They do need to evacuate. By orders (strong suggestions) from the Mayor’s office and the County Judge, no one is going to work today and school has been cancelled. It is beautiful outside. I went to visit with all the neighbors to check who is staying and who is leaving. Everyone is staying. We promised to help each other, in case we will be with out electricity this weekend. We disconnected all the computers at work and lifted everything off the floor – in case of flooding. We got plenty of water that we are freezing now. If the electricity is going to go out, our frozen water can keep the freezer cold for at least 2 additional days. We have a gas stove, gas water heater, gas grill, battery operated radio, plenty of batteries, flash lights and candles. We stocked on can goods and have a manual can opener. They are saying we should fill the bath tub with water – we will do that.