Hurricane Ike Watch!!! (ALL Ike posts in here please!) (Houston: condos, restaurants)

[Weatherguy]

Originally Posted by planintomove

For those who have expressed concern, I just got a call that the dog is fine and someone is going to feed him..

Also, they are letting people back in to Bridge City on Tuesday and I am coming with a load of supplies donated by my friends. They will be out of power for quite some time (3-4weeks is being quoted to me by a city official) Just in case anyone is wondering about the Bridge City area.

That is such great news. I've been away from the house for a couple of hours and couldn't stop thinking about your dog, including that I overreacted. It is true that we don't know all the details. I am sorry for overreacting.

On this topic, I recall that when Katrina hit N.O. and Rita hit southeast TX, there was an group that organized pet rescues and reunited pets with owners. I'll see if I can find out more, and will post here.

[sbhubbell]

Just checked my family's house in Memorial. Neighborhood looks pretty bad, tons of trees down and no power. Also our evacuees from Friendswood lost six large trees and had quite a bit of water damage in one room. Half their neighborhood is underwater so they fear their power will be out a LONG time. They feel bad imposing on me but I'm so happy to have power and a few stores open nearby and plenty of room for them and their pets. The HEB here got a load of ice and milk and meat and it was a MOB scene. Plenty of gas at my local gas station now too.

[artifice]

Originally Posted by Refugee56

I understand that there is a curfew in Houston for after dark. If they can not get people to evacuate from the mandatory zones, I can not believe the average person is going to bother to follow the curfew.

What do you think will happen after dark in Houston? Is there a curfew in the suburbs?

Texas Military is now responsible for keeping order...The curfew will be adhered to or there will be a swift penalty. The curfew is to keep thieves and looters out. The electricity takes awhile to turn on in some areas that may not be as badly hit because it is a grid and must be turned off (they will never admit it but they do turn off the power during these storms as downed live waters and ruptured gas lines, storm surges would wreck havoc) the lines must be checked and then turned back on in order. It takes time to check each grid (about a 10 block area) and clear it for power to be turned back on.

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by BEVH

Does anyone know of a legitimate donation site for money. I know the Red Cross does but I am not confident with their internal operation and want the money to go to the people and not the staffing.

If anyone knows of a site that is totally legit and not a dummy, let me know.

The Salvation Army is one of the best places to send your donations to. They keep very little of the money for operating and they are often the first ones to aid in a catastrophe. I'm disappointed at the little coverage they get. It seems the Red Cross gets all the publicity, when in fact the S.A. is actually more efficient.

If anyone knows of a place to donate for our furry friends, I'd appreciate a link. Maybe something local to the Houston area rather then the Humane Society of the U.S.

[catfancier]

Can anyone speak to conditions on NASA Rt. 1 in Seabrook?? A relative lives on the ground floor (!!) of the Emerald Shores apartments -- right on the highway across from Clear Lake. I just saw on the news that people won't be allowed into Seabrook for three days so I know this does not bode well -- she has been working downtown nearly around the clock and hasn't been able to get any information (or even a ringing phone) from property managers or neighbors. She is of course expecting the worst but I was hoping maybe someone could shed some light?? Thanks very much if you can!

[dcoolbro]

Originally Posted by cakebaker

Does anyone know how Pearland survived the storm? Especially Cabot Cove Subdivision located between Bailey and Veterans off Hwy 518. If not that exact location then Hwy 35 south of Hwy 518? Thanks!

I was just in Pearland. That's where I live, but I've been holding out in the med center area. Pearland has a lot of tree damage. Quite a few power lines down or tipping over. Lots of gates around homes destroyed. I didn't see any significant structural damage, but did see homes without shingles and such. Also a number of chimneys tipping over or completely destroyed.

[Foreverking]

Originally Posted by catfancier

Can anyone speak to conditions on NASA Rt. 1 in Seabrook?? A relative lives on the ground floor (!!) of the Emerald Shores apartments -- right on the highway across from Clear Lake. I just saw on the news that people won't be allowed into Seabrook for three days so I know this does not bode well -- she has been working downtown nearly around the clock and hasn't been able to get any information (or even a ringing phone) from property managers or neighbors. She is of course expecting the worst but I was hoping maybe someone could shed some light?? Thanks very much if you can!

I also have questions about Seabrook, what about the neighborhoods along lakeside drive...anybody know if you can drive there, or what condition/damage

[BEVH]

Originally Posted by Jammie

The Salvation Army is one of the best places to send your donations to. They keep very little of the money for operating and they are often the first ones to aid in a catastrophe. I'm disappointed at the little coverage they get. It seems the Red Cross gets all the publicity, when in fact the S.A. is actually more efficient.

If anyone knows of a place to donate for our furry friends, I'd appreciate a link. Maybe something local to the Houston area rather then the Humane Society of the U.S.

Thanks, I stupidly sent money to PETA during Katrina and now get badgered with their propaganda of dying animals etc. I just don't trust them either.

Yep Salvation Army has always had a good rep. Everywhere I have lived Goodwill has stories of people that work there taking the good stuff people donate and never put it in the stores.

Salvation army always puts stuff in stores they have and seem very honorable.

[buffy888]

Originally Posted by planintomove

For those who have expressed concern, I just got a call that the dog is fine and someone is going to feed him..

Also, they are letting people back in to Bridge City on Tuesday and I am coming with a load of supplies donated by my friends. They will be out of power for quite some time (3-4weeks is being quoted to me by a city official) Just in case anyone is wondering about the Bridge City area.

Glad to hear the dog is okay. Sounds like you had some heart-breaking decisions to deal with and I'm sure it makes things a bit better to know the dog will be fine.

Found out my in-laws left their dog inside their house in Galveston when they left and I am just sick about it. They had plenty of time to plan and had many options for taking the dog (including bringing her here) and they just don't think about stuff like that when they should.

[pacific_trader]

Any fast-food or gas stations running in the pasadena/south belt area?