[weather] God shows his displeasure over the Rockets' loss

I should actually shut down the computer now. It's getting a little nasty out again in Austin. Got a nice light show out my front window.

 

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory2/3172549

Severe storms rock Houston area
Forecasters warn of possible hail, high winds and flooding

By HEATHER SAUCIER

Chronicle correspondent


Severe thunderstorms brought spot flooding and power outages to the Houston area Sunday, trapping some motorists on major highways and thoroughfares.

The storms affected most of southeast Texas — including Harris, Brazoria, Galveston and Fort Bend counties — but they were expected to subside overnight, said Lance Wood, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.

The Houston Fire Department rescued several motorists from rising water near Interstate 10 and Beltway 8, Post Oak Boulevard and Loop 610, and Chimney Rock Road and U.S. 59, said Capt. Gilbert Bennett.

An average of 3.5 inches fell over the Houston area, with winds gusts reaching 65 miles per hour, said Debby Helvy, spokeswoman for the National Weather Service.

Hail was reported in parts of Texas City, Fort Bend County, Addicks, Katy and Hitchcock, she said.

Roughly 116,000 Centerpoint Energy customers lost power, said spokeswoman Leticia Lowe. In response, Centerpoint sent additional crews to repair transformers and electrical lines affected by high winds and lightning, she said.

Among the areas affected were Mission Bend and much of Galveston. All customers were expected to have power returned by Monday morning.

Though a tornado watch was in effect much of the afternoon and evening, no funnel clouds were reported.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspects that rain and waves caused by heavy thunderstorms Sunday were to blame for a tugboat that capsized in Galveston Bay near the Bolivar Ferry Landing.

Petty Officer Craig Joiner of the Coast Guard's Galveston office said the tugboat Matthew B. was tethered to a barge outside a channel when waves and rain filled the engine room near the stern with water.

The four crewmembers were able to jump to the barge in time for a Coast Guard boat and another vessel to rescue them. The tugboat sank in an unknown amount of water.

Joiner said he did not believe the incident would affect ferry traffic.

Margaret Pickell, a wildlife rehabilitator and educational director of Wildlife Rehab & Education, Inc. urged residents to call the organization's hotline at 713-643-9453 to report displaced birds, rabbits and other animals. She warned not to give the animals food or water, as this often causes more than than good.

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wife and I were going to go to Houston from Katy... glad we didn't.

KHOU11 reports I-10 was closed...

 

In.

 

South Houston
Sugarland, 59 South and W. Belfort

 

South Houston is actually "south east" and it is a town named "South Houston". I think you want to tell people "SOUTHWEST" Houston so they don't go down I-45... I know, I know your FRYs pages say "South Houston". Maybe that's in relation to the other FRYs?

I know you're not FRYs PR department, Miguel, sorry...

 

Damn storm blew over one of my tomato plants. It was still too muddy this morning to fix it. Will fix it after work. High water near my house at S. Post Oak & 610. And...wouldn't you know...I ran out of cigarettes in the middle of the freaking storm. The things you do for your addictions....