Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Preparing for Hurricane Rita

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
Okay we have decided to stay since there is no gas anywhere and would rather stay here and have plenty of gas after the strom passes through.

My dad and I went to walmart, and when we were pulling out the driveway say the mayor''s wife (Richmond''s mayor lives across the street) and asked if they were leaving, she said that they were staying especially since the storm was moving further away, she didn''t seem concerned at all.

Walmart was crazy, they were out of so many things. All the beer was gone, but I did get some wine...white for while we still have refrigeration, and red for once the power goes out. I figured we should eat what we can out of the fridge and make pasta and stuff.

Okay update...Rita is now heading to Beaumont, so in Ft. Bend county we will only get 40-50mph winds.

Also the roads are so bad, that people are just turing around and coming home. I had one friend tell me he was on I-45 for 10 hours and didn''t even get outside of Houston, his parents live in Crockett, and he was trying to go there, but had to go his girlfriend''s parents in Tomball. One of the BF''s friends wives was trying to get to her parents in San Antonio, but after 6 hours on the road and running out of gas, she realized that she had enough to turn around and get home, so that what she did. A lot of people are starting to turn around.
 
i think it is best for us to stay now, although i think there has been some easing, there are still thousands on the road and prob hundreds still stranded. i am still terrified for my FI. He''s on the road with his family heading SW away from the storm and hopefull swing NW away fromt he coast to san antonio at some point. I am praying wishing hoping that they make it to some shelter before rita comes in. i am trying to not call every hour to check in on them because i don''t want to waste their valuable cell bateries, but i am so anxious for them. i''m trying my best to act as a guide for them because i found a better tx map than the one they have, and the internet, so i am trying to make sure the routes they choose are clear. its prob not that helpful, but i just feel the need to do soemthing or help them in some way.
 
Hey Ginger, hang in there. I just found this on the web:

"GALVESTON -- Hurricane Rita weakened this morning from a top-of-the-scale Category 5 hurricane to a Category 4 as it swirled across the Gulf of Mexico, and forecasters said it could lose more steam by the time it comes ashore late Friday or early Saturday.

And in the afternoon, Rita made a sharper-than-expected turn to the right, and it appeared that Houston and nearby Galveston might escape a direct hit. Instead, it looked as if Rita might come ashore near Port Arthur or Lake Charles, La., at least 60 miles up the coast.


But it could still be a dangerous storm - one aimed straight at a section of coastline with the nation''s biggest concentration of oil refineries."


Unfortunately, Lake Charles is where my husband''s cousins and aunt are (though they left this morning.)

emsad.gif

 
I’m writing from Dallas, where I have a solid internet connection and nice weather. I might be doing Japanese grill and a martini bar tonight. It’s surreal to think of the panic happening back in Houston. Most WF staff members got out yesterday. Brian was the last one out of our Richmond facility while Lesley closed the sales office. Both were concluding our precautionary measures well into the evening. The city is so seized up in ‘crisis mode’ that any sense of normalcy was erased over 24 hours ago. Gas has vanished. Roads are gridlocked. Internet and phone connections were so jammed up last night that those left in Houston had intermittent access or no access at all. The backdrop for this insanity is hot, sunny weather with calm skies – adding to the sense of disassociation.


I got off the phone with Brian and Lesley a while ago and wanted to share their up-close and personal experience with the overwhelming human situation in Houston today. The city is a roller-coaster of anxiety and determination as an estimated 2 million people were given mandatory evacuation orders, and many more have decided to leave on their own. This morning, as preparations were being made – furniture moved, treasured items stored away, photos packed, etc. - DSL came up at Lesley’s place for just long enough to print boarding passes for herself and Brian. This was a huge blessing… Later you will hear how big.

At 11:00 AM Brian and Lesley left from Southwest Houston to get to the airport. They knew getting there would take much longer than the normal 50 minute ride through downtown to the Northeast. They took the onramp and, amazingly, highway 59 N was clear for over 15 minutes! They cruised inside the loop and sped through one of the most congested areas of highway in Houston. It was unbelievable fortune. This continued all the way to downtown. It was very surprising, as news was reporting 14-hour traffic jams in the city. Of course, they had not finished the ride yet…

(photo from some guy’s website)

1texas_220905_232.jpg
 
As they entered the downtown area there was a critical decision to be made: Take the HOV lane or the highway: Obviously if you get into the HOV and it¡¦s locked up you're far more stuck than if you stayed on the highway. Brian, in his normal 'democratic' frame of mind, steered into the HOV lane without soliciting much input. Not a minute after Brian entered the HOV traffic on the adjacent highway had turned into absolute gridlock. They were flying by thousands of cars at a complete standstill. It was a parking lot for miles and miles. Some cars were abandoned on the side of the road, out of gas. In places people were standing outside or sitting on their hoods. It was an awful, frustrating scene. Lesley said her heart went out to them all, just waiting and idling and burning gas. Brian wanted to stop, find a sledgehammer and knock the HOV median aside to give them a way out. Unfortunately it would not have done much good...

(AP Photo)

2APPhotoHouTraffic.jpg
 
Near beltway 8 the HOV lane backed up and slowed to a crawl, many miles from its terminus. Now Brian had to brake to a stop and join the crawl, unable to do anything but follow the bumper ahead of him, extremely frustrated with the airport so close, yet so far. They went on slowly. Then they began seeing activity as a few drivers started choosing their own adventures with ‘creative’ use of switchable on/off ramps. One rolled his window down and shouted to Brian that there was no hope ahead. Brian, realizing lady luck had already dropped a bundle on him with the HOV decision, didn’t argue – he executed a quick turn and followed the loud guy. I asked Brian if he drove on the wrong side of the road. He reminded me, as a part-time European driver, that either side can be correct.

A few turns and twists later they were at the entrance to the airport, which became another standstill. They crawled past the long-distance parking areas, which had no shuttles running. Closer-in areas were closed. Things became grave as they pulled into the terminal and saw people standing in check-in lines that spilled all the way out of the terminal and down the ramps. Now the biggest fear was wondering where in the world they could park and still get to these lines in time to make a flight. With no shuttles running they said ‘let’s chance it.’ Many people passed the terminal garages entirely, but Brian doggedly entered the floor level of the garage.

(photo from Brian)


3RitaIMG_0766.jpg
 
It became quickly obvious that any hope of parking was slight. Cars were parked on striped areas, in-between spaces, etc. It was madness. They arrived at the roof of the parking garage. There was ample space on the roof because everyone knows that hurricane winds could knock their cars off! At that point they debated just parking and being done with it – the lines of people they had seen were terrifying. However, Brian argued hotly against that (I would too if I driving a Beemer!) and began a descent into the garage to search again. Halfway down a barricade had been taken down or broken, and Brian turned past it into that area, even though it looked full, hoping beyond hope that something would show itself. Halfway down, just waiting for them, was a single spot between the hundreds of other cars – another incredible turn of fate. It had taken 45 minutes to get from the entrance of the airport to a parking place, and they were more fortunate than most.

Now the madness truly began. People were lined up outside the doors and backed up around the ramps just to check in! Those who had not pre-printed boarding passes were in dire straits. That morning, with no serious hope of connecting, Lesley had checked her DSL to find it up. She took the opportunity to print their passes, and after she printed them the connection was lost. That 5-minute happenstance saved them hours.

(photo from Brian)

4RitaIMG_0755.jpg
 
Even with boarding passes they waited almost 2 hours to check baggage. Mayor Bill White of Houston said the check-in snags were caused by 100 TSA agents who didn''t show up for work Thursday. Other agents were brought in from Dallas to replace them.

(photo from Brian)

5RitaIMG_0756.jpg
 
The security lines were also very long, but Brian frequently flies internationally as well as nationally and knew ‘where to go.’ He said this all stealthy-like. I was going to ask him if he could share this secret cutter knowledge, but we lost our phone connection for the 10th time or so, and he has not called back. Their flight should be in the air by now. Imagine – leaving home in Houston at 11:00 AM for a 5:30 flight and just making it… And that with several strokes of incredible fortune.

(photos from Brian)


7RitaIMG_0758.jpg
 
I hope lady luck smiles on the people currently caught in the city as this mass-exodus continues. The storm is still far away. The current disaster is the number of people who are trying to go simultaneously. Hopefully order and cool heads will prevail.

Between Whiteflash staff who have already relocated and those still in Houston I hope we have been able to touch base with all of you who expected it. If not, please contact me and I will address your concerns, as I have access to our records. Our system should remain up, but in a pinch those of you on PS can send me a PM.
1.gif
WF staff should have email access when they arrive at their destinations. A couple of staff people are standing fast in Houston, not near the gulf, but definitely not where we might prefer them to be.
40.gif
To my friends, as well as any Pricescopers who have made the decision to stay in H-town, please be careful!!!

I’m praying that this storm will fall apart without any further damage. Just the threat of damage has done enough.
 
WOW. Thank you for the update, complete with photos!

I hope that all of those folks get out of the city in time! Keep us informed!
 
THANKS much for the report. What a story! I''m glad to hear that Brian and Lesley made it out safe and sound. Lady Luck was certainly smiling down on them!

I hope that everyone stays safe and that Rita will soon pass.
 
wow. sobering.
thanks john for putting that together. i hope that everyone stays safe.
 
Thanks, John. It''s bad there. We can only hope the storm peters out, because it doesn''t look good for getting everyone out.

Deb
 
OMG! I''ve been through IAH so many times and I have never seen it look like the pictures posted. My old roomie actually had her flight come into IAH from Japan this afternoon at 2pm. Her mom lives in NW Houston and surprisingly it only took her mom 15 minutes to get to the airport & 15 minutes to get back to the house. My friend that lives in DFW that I was originally attempting to visit was in Huntsville (right outside of Houston) for work yesterday and she had a rental car and a 7pm flight back to DFW from IAH, she decided to go ahead and drive and skip her flight, b/c at 2pm she was already ahead of the massive exhodus of chaos.

I hope the entire WF team is safe, I know the diamonds are because they are in a safe (no pun intended).

Its such a surreal feeling to be here and know that in less than 24 hours everything is going to change. Today was hot, sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and a very light warm breeze if any. All day I''ve been thinking, "I have to wait another day, Rita is not even here yet!". I keep forgetting its Thursday, it feels like Friday. I have quite a few coworkers that were trying to drive to DFW, I hope they didn''t get stuck, I''ll definiely find out next week. I feel the worst for the 300 New Orleans employees in our office, that have to evacuate again. Houston was more than willing to let these people into our city, because we knew it could happen to us, we just didn''t think it would happen 3 weeks later. As tragic as Katrina was, I''m glad it was a wake up call, because everyone would be so much more lax about this hurricane if Katrina had never happened.
 
i''m freaking out...they think the hurricane is making a westward turn, putting us directly in its path again.
 
Ginger! Don''t say that...we have the A&M game on, so we''re taking a Rita break. I might have to watch the news in the other room.

On another note, that I know all the brides in waiting can sympathize with...My BF''s friends''s fiancee lives in the same apt complex building as my BF, had to pack all of her wedding stuff into a u-haul, and she and her fiancee are trying to get to Harlingen (that where her parents live and where the wedding will be in 4 weeks, and its a long drive without traffic). They left about the same time as the BF, but not sure if they made it, b/c cell service was out earlier. She and my BF both live on the 1st floor, so they were worried about flooding.
 
Date: 9/22/2005 9:48:09 PM
Author: gingerBcookie
i''m freaking out...they think the hurricane is making a westward turn, putting us directly in its path again.
Click to expand...

Ginger,

If the traffic congestion clears in time, maybe you can all still LEAVE. It''s possible that everyone who wants to get out will get out and leave the roads free. At least keep that as an option in case the roads clear. Maybe pack some emergency bags for everyone in case you can make it out. (Make sure everyone has his medicine and so forth.)

Deb
 
I came back from my PS vacation for a few minutes to say that everyone affected by this storm is in my prayers and will continue to be in my prayers.

May the Lord bless you and keep you safe.
In Jesus'' name
Amen!
 
If the roads clear, I think you should all get away from the storm: you, Ginger (and your family), and you, too, appletini (and your boyfriend). If tonight the roads clear up maybe you can make it a few hundred miles north before the strong winds that will precede the storm on Friday (tomorrow) morning.

"It is not often that we as meteorologists throw out terms like catastrophic or life-threatening. However, when dealing with a storm the magnitude of Rita, these terms are certainly appropriate. Rita will still be moving over warm water into Friday. This should allow it to still be a Category 4 storm when it makes landfall late Friday night or early Saturday. One should not focus on this timing though, as strong winds will spread well out ahead of the storm's center. Along the coast of northeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana, winds are expected to reach tropical storm strength by Friday morning, so Friday will be too late complete any necessary preparations to your home or property. These should be done by the end of Thursday. Please monitor all statements issued by your local emergency management coordinators and heed all warnings and evacuation orders. If you live within a few miles of the coast, this is NOT a storm that you want to stay and try to ride out."

Story by AccuWeather.com meteorologist Gerald Mohler

Deb
 
Date: 9/22/2005 5:56:45 PM
Author: gingerBcookie
i think it is best for us to stay now, although i think there has been some easing, there are still thousands on the road and prob hundreds still stranded.
Click to expand...

No one can know for sure, but this is in the news.

"In Houston, Mayor Bill White described the exodus there as the largest in the city''s history.

''People who watch the TV and get discouraged when they see these long lines of traffic -- it''s being worked on,'' the mayor said at a news conference. ''But if you''re in an area where you can lose your life,'' he added, ''you need to be making those evacuation plans.''"

Deb
 
right now we are the clean side, so I''m not as worried, I''m more worried about tornados, but if i left I''d be going to Dallas/Ft. Worth and they are going to get a lot of bad weather too. I think the storm will pass quickly through Ft. Bend county, but perhaps linger around SE TX & NW LA. My BF is worried b/c his parents are NE Houston, as are a lot of my friends parents, and my friends had planned to stay with their families in Humble, Kingwood, Spring, & The Woodlands. Tomororw weekend should provide much more certain information.
 
Date: 9/22/2005 11:13:57 PM
Author: appletini
I think the storm will pass quickly through Ft. Bend county
Click to expand...

The NOAA website does say evacuations in Fort Bend County are voluntary, but they are mandatory in many other nearby counties. Please check the NOAA website if you do not know the recommendation for your locality!

This is from the NOAA website:

"ALTHOUGH TRAFFIC HAS BEEN HEAVY AS THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN HAS
BEEN IMPLEMENTED...TRAFFIC MOVEMENT SHOULD ACCELERATE AS CONTRA-FLOW
PLANS ARE IMPLEMENTED. DO NOT LET THE TRAFFIC DELAYS HALT YOUR EFFORTS
TO EVACUATE."

NOAA National Weather Service Website
NOAA Recommendations by County

Deborah
 
Date: 9/22/2005 11:28:42 PM
Author: ame
LOOK AT THIS TRAFFIC MAP!
Click to expand...

Ame! That is unbelievable! A REAL TIME traffic map? It does look as if roads are now moving. Ginger, get your family packed up and go tonight! Don''t forget medicines, food and water, blankets and pillows, and cash! Go!!!!

Deb
 
Here is an update from CNN, The freeways (45 in particular) are in a 100 mile gridlock. Almost half of the passengers are out of gas and with the freeways being turned all into Northbound they are holding off to figure out how to get the fuel to the stranded. They are moving at 1 mile an hour.

The hurricane has make a move west again, as Ginger said, and now Galveston and Houston are in the path of a direct hit.

Lets all pray that this blows away into nothing and as John said, it has caused enough panic and pain already.
 
Date: 9/22/2005 11:59:01 PM
Author: Strawdermangrl
Here is an update from CNN, The freeways (45 in particular) are in a 100 mile gridlock. Almost half of the passengers are out of gas and with the freeways being turned all into Northbound they are holding off to figure out how to get the fuel to the stranded. They are moving at 1 mile an hour.
Click to expand...

So Ame''s real time map is not correct? Great. This sounds like a real Catch 22.

Deb
 
Prayers going to you Houston folks.
 
Hi to all of you!

We finally arrived at our destination, weary but safe. I have never seen anything like it! After a whole night of packing up the house and deciding which few things to take with us, and then the traffic, it was great to get onto the plane. There were no meals as the meal service staff hadn't shown up, but no one really cared.

Thank goodness we have a solid inet connection here at my friend's house on the east coast, and as long as our servers stay up, we'll be able to answer e-mails. Because our whole system is hosted on remote secure servers, we can be anywhere in the world and access everything. We have huge generators that can keep the system powered for several weeks. I want to thank John for keeping his watchful eye over everything and Bob and Denise for keeping up with the e-mails and orders. Our other sales staff have tried to get access but are having a harder time logging in. Renee called this morning and she is safe, Judi has left town. I don't know where our production staff have gone - I will try and call everyone tomorrow. I have to tell you that Denise and John were at their phones all day long. We have all told Denise and Bob to get out of Houston, but so far they are still there...I think Jamie and Daniel may be too, but I can't get hold of them. Let's all pray that Rita bypasses Houston and that we can all come home on Monday.

It is especially at times like this that we REALLY feel the power of the "Pricescope Family". Warm Hugs to you all!

LesleyH
www.whiteflash.com
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top