Hindsight being 20/20, I agree with you. However, basing my decision on the Rita traffic nightmares, I felt like leaving yesterday at 9:30 AM was late. I'm glad I was wrong- I'm glad people got out with relative ease.
The people of Galveston had ample time to evacuate (~ 48 hours). I hope the people who made the stupid decision to remain on the island are safe. I hope the first responders who are forced to stay on the island are safe and they should feel no guilt in ceasing operations at 9 PM until the end of the storm. I've never seen water top the seawall. While it's harsh to tell them to write their SSNs on their arms, I don't feel sorry for them...I saw some folks on the news posing for pictures and acting like badasses going up to the seawall. Good luck with that.
they're going crazy on Eastern US forums about the eye.. apparently its massive and we will see cat 3 by landfall. pressure dropping.
I hear you. I also was preparing for at least 4-5 hours of traffic just to get to Clear Lake when I finally left around noon yesterday. To my suprise, there was ZERO traffic until I got to Nasa Rd. 1. The causeway only started getting crowded around 2-3pm.
Yes, but the news media was reporting possible scenarios if Ike landed near Galveston that were fairly dismal. There were alternate sources of advice - guidance - direction for the people beyond the Mayor of Galveston. With quality of life and possibly loss of life at stake, I would seek as much information as possible and make my own decision. I just can't put myself in the shoes of the people who depended only on the Mayor for advice - guidance - direction.
I've been living on Galveston's west end the past 2 years. I expect my place in Jamaica Beach to be wiped out. I won't cry though because I got my dog and my boat in a safe haven with me here in Houston.
I agree with Nick. The people had plenty of time to get out once the mandatory was issued. I also don't think that the east end of the island will stay above water.
Water on the east end will come more from the storm surge going into the harbor/bay than over the seawall. But that will come only with the actual hurricaine storm surge. The surge that is there now hasn't caused much flooding to the areas east of UTMB, judging from the video of that fire on ABC.
That's a good attitude, and probably the best you can have. I've accepted the fact that my house on the East end will probably be totaled from the flooding...But I have my family, my paperwork, my pictures, data, and most importantly, digital p*rn, all safe here with me. Mango- I'm with you. 'Plan for the worst, hope for the best.' It's the mantra I live by, especially with a 2-year-old child.
Nice. Always gotta save that digital p*rn. Nothing better than rubbing off some knuckle children while Ike is tearin your house up.
