Ike...reports from the ground

Any new reports from Galveston and Sugar Land? I've tried to call cell phones and circuits are busy.

I read that they were hoping to get cell phone coverage in Galveston sometime today. Lots of rescues.

The first aerial photos this morning. Lord have mercy.
Boats next to I-45. Crystal Beach (community) gone. Lots worse than I first thought. They say over 2000 rescues so far.

I just heard the worst kind of news from Louisville- Ike blew through there yesterday, and a falling limb killed the son of our friend. He was 10 years old.

Apparently it was supposed to be windy there yesterday, but the storm got a burst of energy, and the 75 mph winds caught everyone by surprise.

I just heard the worst kind of news from Louisville- Ike blew through there yesterday, and a falling limb killed the son of our friend. He was 10 years old.

Apparently it was supposed to be windy there yesterday, but the storm got a burst of energy, and the 75 mph winds caught everyone by surprise.

OMG!! That's terrible JDarg. Was he outside playing in the bad weather or did it hit the house or something?

Update from Galveston-
SNAKES EVERYWHERE!!! They won't return home until all reptiles have been dispatched, probably another week form them in Austin...

Dad and his wife talked to folks in their hood (Galveston mainland), and they report that first levels took on 4 feet of water. All of these homes are built with break away walls on first level and most of these did their job and broke away. I guess that's better than the whole house ripping from the pilings. Their home took no water into living area.

OMG!! That's terrible JDarg. Was he outside playing in the bad weather or did it hit the house or something?

They live out in the country, and according to what we have heard so far, he was out mowing, a limb came down and hit him in the head.

The high wind caught so many by surprise- I just talked to another friend who lost 3 trees. School is canceled in Louisville today, so she and her son are outside trying to clean up. She said it was scary, the wind was strong for several hours, then the 75 mph winds started. Apparently the area looks like a war zone, and about 300,000 are without power.

CHEERING! I need to see if she is OK.

JDarg, so sorry to hear this news. I heard a similar story to your friend's... of a man who was prepping for the storm and cut a large limb down that killed his young son.
I'll be glad when the bad news is over and we start hearing about the miracles.

You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

So sad, jdarg. I think Ike caught many people up north unaware. audie said they got bad wind and some lost power.

If you are talking to anyone still on Galveston, they are a big part of the problem. They did not heed the mandatory evacuation and are causing problems the authorities should NOT be having to handle. Makes me spitting mad. :angry:

the wind storm that swept though Louisville hit Ohio as well...90% of greater Cincy was without power last night, many neighborhoods with old trees hardest hit. Local paper explains that remnants of Ike mixed with the cold front that dumped rain on Chicago area allowing high level cold wind down to the surface...estimates of gusts up to 84 mph...high winds lasted 6 plus hours...many local schools canceled today...my city, nw of Cincy has issued a call to conserve water and a drinking water boil advisory...reports of 4 deaths in sw Ohio...two motorcyclists on a charity ride were killed by a falling tree (they are parents of a 5 month old girl) one woman sitting at her computer, killed when an old tree fell onto her house, and a pregnant woman killed in a house fire...me and mine are inconvenienced, the power is slowly coming back on across the region, and our hearts go out to all that are suffering

Never thought I'd be reporting on this too. I had NO IDEA or warning that we would experience wind gusts up tp 78mph yesterday. I guess there was an advisory in the morning then it changed to a severe wind warning in the afternoon. We had been at church then our community impact thing afterwards. So on my way from church I decided to stop at the grocery store and everyone else went home. We had driven separately. This was around 2:30-3:00 yesterday. It was a little windy but I didn't think that much about it so I went in to do my shopping. When I came out of the store it had really picked up and I could hardly get my cart to the car. I went to McDonalds right after that to get a drink and I thought their sign over the drive through was going to fly off and hit me. Trees we blowing so hard I was starting to get really freaked out. I just wanted to get home asap. 3 traffic lights were out and several trees down on my way home. I talked to Mr OL all the way home b/c I was so scared. Street signs were hanging from posts and debris flying around too. I finally made it home. I got out of the car and saw part of my neighbors roof/shingles fly off. Our really big tree in the back had a huge branch down along with many branches off out tree in the front. Another neighbor had a tree come down on his fence, and the things were flying off the school roof that is across the street. It was CRAZY. I had never seen anything like it. I know this is probably nothing compared to the coast but I swear I hated going through this! We lost power and no school today. I'm at my moms now.

Jdarg, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's boy. People were out all over the place the whole time this was going on...no rain just wind. I thought they were crazy. I stayed inside. We had winds like this for about 5-6 hours.

Wow, :shock: I haven't watched the WC in days...wonder if these winds were predicted. It seems a surprise to a lot of people. Glad you all are okay!

Does anyone know anything about High Island on the Bolivar peninsula. I have a colleague who has a house there and I haven't been able to reach him since 10:30pm on Friday. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone know anything about High Island on the Bolivar peninsula. I have a colleague who has a house there and I haven't been able to reach him since 10:30pm on Friday. Thanks in advance.

I saw a pic earlier and High Island was surrounded by water.

I just heard the worst kind of news from Louisville- Ike blew through there yesterday, and a falling limb killed the son of our friend. He was 10 years old.

Apparently it was supposed to be windy there yesterday, but the storm got a burst of energy, and the 75 mph winds caught everyone by surprise.

I'm sorry jdarg. Very sad.

I just spoke with relatives in Kingwood. They had a mighty blow, but no damage to their house. Of course, the power is off, but they are campers and were well prepared. The generator is keeping the refrigerator, some lights, and some fans going. They have enough gas to run it for about 5 or 6 more days. They can't find any gas to buy, but they have gone to a grocery that opened.

Does anyone know anything about High Island on the Bolivar peninsula. I have a colleague who has a house there and I haven't been able to reach him since 10:30pm on Friday. Thanks in advance.

I think I heard Bolivar peninsula mentioned on CNN. I was in my car, so I didn't have visuals, but it did not sound good.


Jdarg, I am so, so saddened to hear of your friend's loss. How horrible.

Does anyone know anything about High Island on the Bolivar peninsula. I have a colleague who has a house there and I haven't been able to reach him since 10:30pm on Friday. Thanks in advance.

Here's the photo that Miss Kitty probably saw. When I saw the photo this afternoon it stuck in my brain, since it is apparently appropriately named (well compared to some of the areas, anyway). Hope all is well with your friend.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/nphotos/A-...waters-high.html&g=events/bs/20061018_gas_oil

It is so sad to hear all the stories...

Here's the photo that Miss Kitty probably saw. When I saw the photo this afternoon it stuck in my brain, since it is apparently appropriately named (well compared to some of the areas, anyway). Hope all is well with your friend.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/nphotos/A-...waters-high.html&g=events/bs/20061018_gas_oil

It is so sad to hear all the stories...

Thank you, that is the picture I saw. Remember, this is after the waters receded.

This morning I was in front of the UPS store and 2 women were unloading their SVU with bag after bag of stuff and hauling it into UPS. I started to take note of what they had after they brought out 2 red gas cans and bags of pet supplies and large extension cords. They were obviously shipping off an important care package to someone affected by Ike. Somehow this made the affects of the storm more real to me than looking at the many photos. It made me think back a few years to when we were cleaning up after Ivan (our yard had piles of bay debris) and how tired we were, and that was nothing compared to what people in TX and LA are going through now.

Here's the photo that Miss Kitty probably saw. When I saw the photo this afternoon it stuck in my brain, since it is apparently appropriately named (well compared to some of the areas, anyway). Hope all is well with your friend.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/nphotos/A-...waters-high.html&g=events/bs/20061018_gas_oil

It is so sad to hear all the stories...

Thank you, that is the picture I saw. Remember, this is after the waters receded.

Thanks and I will let you know if/when I hear from my friend.

Thanks and I will let you know if/when I hear from my friend.

Did your friend stay?:shock:

Did your friend stay?:shock:

He works for Galveston County in their Emergency Management Department so he stayed but not at home. He probably lost everything and at the same time is having to try and help put others lives back together too. It's sad for so many!!!

He works for Galveston County in their Emergency Management Department so he stayed but not at home. He probably lost everything and at the same time is having to try and help put others lives back together too. It's sad for so many!!!

He works for Galveston County in their Emergency Management Department so he stayed but not at home. He probably lost everything and at the same time is having to try and help put others lives back together too. It's sad for so many!!!

God luv him. Please keep us posted on what you find out.