Hurricane Ike Watch!!! (ALL Ike posts in here please!) (Houston: insurance, new construction)

[MissDaisy]

Originally Posted by jfre81

Hurricane/tropical storm tornadoes aren't very big. We're not talking the mile-wide monsters you typically hear about in north/central Texas or the Midwest. They're small, don't last long and might come down and hit something and dissipate. Think of it like darts going at a dartboard. Any one spot is not all that likely to be hit, but it could.

You're still going to get some rain and wind and there is the chance of a tornado, but the odds of you not getting one are probably better than the odds of getting one. Be prepared for anything - you might want to have an interior room like a closet or bathroom with some basic supplies ready (like drinking water and a first-aid kit). Likely you won't have to hide in there, but have a plan in case the worst happens. You're gonna survive.

Thanks jfre81--you really made me feel much better!! And we do have a downstairs "powder room" with no windows, center of the downstairs, and we could if needed squeeze ourselves and our 3 (little) doggies with us. Thanks again

[Drouzin]

I was awakened by a squall from Ike about 30-45 min. ago in St. Bernard, LA. He's about 250 mi. away, but has packed a bit of a punch. The towns outside the protection levees are flooded by surge.

I've seen a lot of these storms go by and kick up some flooding, but even those old fishermen from down that way are talking about the surge. If you are on the coast and thinking about riding Ike out, I would advise that this is not the one you want to do that on.

Good luck and God bless!

(PS. Miss Daisy jfre is totally correct. You may have some downed trees, and the winds may get scary, but it's the surge that's the killer. Lake Conroe is a nice area. We stay there when we visit the Renaissance Festival.)

[AliceT]

Originally Posted by Kirk_B

Moved here 3 weeks ago from Las Vegas and we are in the middle of the action!

We live off of 45 and Sawdust and we are staying put in our third story apartment. Not feasible to board up our windows, so I hope they hold!

Should I try to park our vehicles in the nearest parking garage incase it floods here due to torrential rain?

Put duct tape on the window panes so that if they break, they won't shatter and send jagged fragments all over your house. Each pane should look like you intend to play tic tac toe on it, at the very least. Additionally, cover the windows with a heavy blanket as additional precaution from flying glass.

Is the garage a multilevel garage or street level? If it is street level, your best bet is to leave it outside in an open area away from trees, overhead signs and structures. The garage will not prevent flooding of your vehicle and the wind-blown objects are not going to be swirling around as they would during a tornado. There is more probability that the garage structure will fail and fall onto your car. In an open area, it will be fine in hurricane force winds - and ready to go afterward.

By the way, if anyone has horses, leave them in a pasture with no access to the barn. They will be fine in the wind and rain but if the barn roof starts failing, the banging of the shingles or roof will spook an otherwise calm horse and that's where the danger comes in. They are safest in an open pasture where they will turn their rumps to the wind and "turn off" until the storm passes. All dogs, cats and small pets should be indoors.

[KWPN]

If you have horses do as posted above but fly mask them, even if they are stalled, leather halters with identification, and braid ID into their manes. Fill up trash cans and clean muck buckets with clean water for them. Mine are in a rated barn for up to 125mph winds, and they have natural wind blocks at the ranch.

Take care everyone!!!

[Cuddles78]

I have relatives who live in a mobile home in Brookshire. Does anyone think they should evacuate? They came over to stay with us in Katy during Rita. Would hurricane winds do much damage in Brookshire?

[Mom2Feebs]

What a beautiful morning it is here in Houston. The sun is coming up over the treeline...but seeing the huge waves coming just ever so slightly over the seawall on the news...I just have a terrible feeling in my stomach. I don't know how long we'll be with power--so I'll keep online as long as it's on, but I just wanted to say good luck to everyone and check in here when you can. Be safe, fellow Texans!

[tjoseph]

Godspeed, Houston, Godspeed

[njkate]

Originally Posted by tjoseph

Godspeed, Houston, Godspeed

Ditto...y'all have my prayers on high

[baggiegenes]

Originally Posted by jfre81

Do I need to park my M1 Abrams tank in a garage? I figure a tree limb or two will hardly faze it.

Where did you get yours? I've heard with high gas prices, the Abrams dealers are offering great deals. I'm looking to get one with the full rotating turret and anti-landmine features.

[daisybear]

We live in a flood zone and part of our neighborhood flooded during Alison (we were not in Houston at the time) however our house did not. What are the chances it will this time?