I am starting this thread in hopes that posters and lurkers will report what is happening as this storm hits Texas. As you all know, this storm has already caused damage along the Panhandle and the Gulf Coast westward. I haven't seen a full updated report this morning, but just turned the blasted TWC on.
For all of you that have asked about my Daddy, PawPaw, thank you! I am happy to report that he arrived here safely, yesterday. I have been in contact with his wonderful neighbor, who will keep us updated. My sister got over there early yesterday and helped him get his car packed up, which was a God send. She and her family are staying behind. Enough about me...please let us know what is going on at your location.
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SoWal Expert
The Balinese Room is gone. This makes me sad. It was a big part of Galveston's history. 
SoWal Guide
thinking of all our texan sowallers, their families and friends too. please keep us up to date.
SoWal Expert
thinking of all our texan sowallers, their families and friends too. please keep us up to date.
SoWal Insider
The Balinese Room is gone. This makes me sad. It was a big part of Galveston's history.So much destruction. I can't believe so many people stayed behind. I saw 500 National guard trucks set to go look for people.
thinking of all our texan sowallers, their families and friends too. please keep us up to date.
Yes. Same here.
MeowAuthor
The Balinese Room is gone. This makes me sad. It was a big part of Galveston's history.
...so much history, gone. Isn't that where Frank Sinatra sang?thinking of all our texan sowallers, their families and friends too. please keep us up to date.
...thanks, Toots. My sister has a BA pine tree on her garage and no power. She sounds weary, but is hanging in there. Still no news on PawPaw's house. The neighbor hasn't contacted us (they may have power issues) and we are afraid to call. Ignorance is bliss, today. Trying to keep PawPaw occupied.
SoWal Insider
I was just catching the local weather on tv and Central Arkansas and Missouri are getting the worst of the remnants, lots of yellow and orange, etc. We are having high winds, gusts up to 50mph. Our lights have flickered 5 or 6 times already, some of it while I was showering. We are under a tornado watch until 10 a.m. and a wind advisory until 4:00 p.m.!
I've heard more ambulances in the past 5 minutes.
I've heard more ambulances in the past 5 minutes.
SoWal Expert
From the Associated Press:
A historic Galveston, Texas, nightclub that once attracted some of the world's top entertainers was washed away by the storm surge of Hurricane Ike.
The 79-year-old Balinese Room was once a popular dance and gambling hall. It hosted performances by Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, George Burns and the Marx Brothers in the 1940s and '50s. Howard Hughes was a patron.
The structure along Galveston's sea wall had extended 600 feet out into the Gulf of Mexico. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
It had survived Hurricane Carla in 1961 and Hurricane Alicia in 1983, but Ike was too much for it as the storm's surge ripped the building apart early Saturday.
Beach Fanatic
Miss Kitty, here's hoping Paw Paw's house was unaffected.
This storm is dumping lots of rain as it travels north and merges with a cold front. My sister called from Naperville, IL yesterday to say they had already gotten about 5 inches of rain and at least that much more was expected.
This storm is dumping lots of rain as it travels north and merges with a cold front. My sister called from Naperville, IL yesterday to say they had already gotten about 5 inches of rain and at least that much more was expected.
SoWal Expert
Miss Kitty, here's hoping Paw Paw's house was unaffected.
This storm is dumping lots of rain as it travels north and merges with a cold front. My sister called from Naperville, IL yesterday to say they had already gotten about 5 inches of rain and at least that much more was expected.
We got a whopping 3/8".
SoWal Insider
We did not get much rain overnight. Everything is very wet outside but there is very little in our rain gauge. A good deal of little limbs down around the yard. Sorry to hear about the Balinese Ballroom. I had never heard of it but that truly was a historic place. Such a shame.
SoWal Expert
South of Galveston, authorities said 67-year-old Ray Wilkinson was the only resident who didn't evacuate from Surfside Beach, population 800. He was drunk and waving when authorities reached him on Saturday morning. "He kinda drank his way through the night," Mayor Larry Davison said.
SoWal Insider
I think Mr. Wilkinson was waiting for a friend to pick him up to evacuate, but said friend couldn't get back to him due to roadblocks. Friend probably went on a beer run, leaving Mr. Wilkinson to survive with a 6 pack! 
I would need to be highly intoxicated to stay too.
I would need to be highly intoxicated to stay too.
Beach Fanatic
South of Galveston, authorities said 67-year-old Ray Wilkinson was the only resident who didn't evacuate from Surfside Beach, population 800. He was drunk and waving when authorities reached him on Saturday morning. "He kinda drank his way through the night," Mayor Larry Davison said.
God love em!
Glad you guys are ok and we pray for all the Galveston and Houston folks.
Beach Fanatic
Glad to hear Miss K & DD are doing ok. My thoughts & prayers are going out to all in Texas.
MeowAuthor
Miss Kitty, here's hoping Paw Paw's house was unaffected.
This storm is dumping lots of rain as it travels north and merges with a cold front. My sister called from Naperville, IL yesterday to say they had already gotten about 5 inches of rain and at least that much more was expected.
...this just in from PawPaw's neighbor....the huge double BA pine tree at the back of the house snapped and fell on the neighbor's garage, knocking the new fence down. There is a huge limb on PawPaw's roof and he doesn't know if it has been punctured. No windows were broken. Power came on for a bit yesterday and quickly went back off...that is somehwat good news, as it proves they are working on it. The neighborhood has trees down all over and some streets are blocked. Just think about this damage all over that huge city! Better news...Mr. K is back in town and is cooking a steak for PawPaw tonight! Sister is still w/o power, but her neighborhood Kroger is open and a neighboring commmunity has power. BIL's vet clinic is also w/o power and he had to get dry ice to save the vaccines. Theya re experiencing heavy rains today because of the cool front going through. Thank goodness...they need some cool DRY air w/o air conditioning!!! God Bless, Texas!SoWal Expert
Wow. Glad you got a report finally. PawPaw deserves a steak!!!
Sounds like Houston's working hard to get everyone back up and running. I saw where they were getting lots of rain.
My evacuee cousin just called. He's coming over today with the babies!
SoWal Insider
Acquaintences in Friendswood TX rode out Ike in their home. Power went out 10pm on night of hurricane.
Called yesterday (land phone lines worked) and all made in through safe and sound and house was undamaged, cars parked in driveway OK--tree in backyard damaged and fence wobbly. Neighbors' homes and occupants were OK as well. They spent last night without power. Power back on this morning (Sunday).
My prayers and thoughts go out to all those who are not as lucky.
.
Called yesterday (land phone lines worked) and all made in through safe and sound and house was undamaged, cars parked in driveway OK--tree in backyard damaged and fence wobbly. Neighbors' homes and occupants were OK as well. They spent last night without power. Power back on this morning (Sunday).
My prayers and thoughts go out to all those who are not as lucky.
.
SoWal Insider
after this whole storm is sorted out, does anyone think about the "certain death" warning will make folks even more jaded about leaving the beach areas?
MeowAuthor
after this whole storm is sorted out, does anyone think about the "certain death" warning will make folks even more jaded about leaving the beach areas?
Obviously, if you have enough liquor or a big enough drug stash, certain death means nothing. I am just glad the government agencies in Texas told these people...you are SOOL after 8 pm. I am tired of people being put in harm's way for IDIOTS.
SoWal Insider
Obviously, if you have enough liquor or a big enough drug stash, certain death means nothing. I am just glad the government agencies in Texas told these people...you are SOOL after 8 pm. I am tired of people being put in harm's way for IDIOTS.
MeowAuthor
I rest my case. :roll:
Beach Fanatic
Here are a couple of photos I took from the Henderson Park Inn's deck today. Clearly, I have no idea what I am doing when I upload them. So please excuse me.
http://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hendersoninnlookingeastib8.jpg
http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hendersoninnlookingsoutyv6.jpg
http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hendersoninnlookingwestyn9.jpg
http://img232.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hendersoninnlookingeastib8.jpg
http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hendersoninnlookingsoutyv6.jpg
http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hendersoninnlookingwestyn9.jpg
Beach Fanatic
Ugly, persistent popup from imageshack. Please upload to the SoWal library. Thanks...
beats on hood
Oh, wow. Sorry you and your family are having to deal with all of this. Prayers for you and your PawPaw and everyone else who is affected.
Beach Fanatic
Any new reports from Galveston and Sugar Land? I've tried to call cell phones and circuits are busy.
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