With another Category 4 hurricane bearing down on the US (this time Texas), God Speed be with anyone in its path. Hopefully, Trainboard members will be safe if any might be directly affected by this storm. I heard on the news that Texas Gulf Coast evacuees can get up to an 80% discount on hotel rooms up here in North Texas. Now only if the gas and oil companies would be so sympathetic.
I am boarding up the house, emptying the refrigerator, freezer and heading for the old family homestead between Bryan and Waco. I will watch what happens from there. I went through Alicia 22 years ago and it was only a catagory 3. Was without power for days and had some damage to the house. This one is now a 5 last I heard.
Smart move Russell. I lived in Boulder Co in '82 when we had a really bad windstorm. I could barely stand up in the 100 MPH winds. they say 100 MPH+ would be like class 2-3 hurricane. the one coming your way sounds much meaner than that. http://www.ucar.edu/communications/factsheets/winds.html
My family is evacuteing tonight. I'm afraid I won't have a home to go to for xmas. Well, on a lighter note all my trains are safe and sound here in MT. Good luck everyone down there!
We just had 35 mph wind gust from Hurricane Rita as she sideswiped South Florida with tropical storm winds. We also had about 4 inches of rain to go along with the winds. Stay cool and run steam.....
Reported as a 5 headingffor Galveston Tx. Good luck to all our Gulf State area members and their family and friends. look like the US might actually pay a "real" high price for petrol. just on that yesterday on the Niagara Falls tour we had some poms on the bus, and when the bus driver said that $1.03 per litre was high for Canada, the pom said that they were paying the equivalent of $2.60 per litre. ouch!!!!!
Don't be the next statistic... Get the heck outta Dodge, and head inland! Ya'll be safe now, ya hear! Seriously, godspeed, and prayers are with you folks in the path.
Absolute last place to be right now is on a barrier island in the Gulf with a category 5 storm coming. Definitely, head for higher ground!!! Houses can be replaced- your life can't.
I plan to stay right here in San Antonio about 150 miles (240 km) from the coast. Also, I will be on the west side of the eye which is less wind and rain, although we could have 60-70 mph (100 km) here. That is a lot of sustained wind, so I am tying things down and getting water, canned food. We will probably lose power, but I will broadcast until the very end!
Good luck and God's guidance be with all y'all anywhere close to the TX coast. I wouldn't wish what we have been through here in Mississippi on my worst enemies, let alone all my friends.
From the NOAA website, the page showing the projected locations of Rita over the next 72 hours (note I said projected, not exact, but either way Texas is gonna get soaked bigtime): http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at3%2Bshtml/144728.shtml?3day?large Y'all find a high spot and stay there!! I have friends in Houston and San Antone, and I hope they're making plans to split for higher ground.
Good luck to everyone affected. It's been a heck of a hurricane season. Appearantly hurricanes aren't aware of the policy of "don't mess with Texas". I hope the Sugarland module survives- it's a personal favorite of mine, but mostly I hope the builder and everyone down there make it through ok.
I am off today and tomorrow boarding up my house. Even used some old modules (2'-6" x 6'-0") to cover the down stairs windows. I actually got to do some work on my railroad for the open house. If I still have a roof. I think I will be ok. Last track had it going more towards Beaumont. This is good thing for me. Yesterday I was expecting 110 mph winds (there goes the roof) now it could be between 35 and 50 mph. Mike
