Hurricane Rita Discussion

**Aquilae**

I have a grandmother (widowed), an uncle with his pregnet wife with
their son living in Houston. Lastest word is that they're not going
anywhere. The pregnet wife is taking care of the grandmother, the son
is living with his (biological mother) while the uncle is staying at
his house boarding up the windows.

And the rest of my family is at Dallas and they're not going anywhere
either. Actually one of my cousins are getting married tomorrow. :smileyindifferent:

I wish they understand of the seriousness of the storm. I guess I can't
force them to leave. And if they did, it may be pointless. One of the
CNN reporters said his wife and kids are on the freeway for most of
they day and they only made twenty miles of progress. It's hard to
believe what it's like to be in traffic with your screaming kids in the
back steats while the house and life you left behind may not be intact
when you come back. They say that 50% of Houston is evacuating today
and some more tomorrow.

Seeing as I got laid off of work today, I wish I could go down there
and help out but I guess I'll have to settle with donating money.:smileysad:

Calliente

I think I speak for everyone as a whole when I say we're thinking about
your fam Walrus, hopes and prayers go out with you and hope that not
only your family, but the rest of the people there get out safely, and
have the minimum damage possible once this thing is over.

**Aiyalla**

The storm has weakened to a cat 4 again... and it's heading for LA. It still hasn't made landfall yet, so where it ends up is still anyone's guess.

QforQ-MxO

Aguilae you can always volunteer your time, and that doesnt cost money
that you now need. I think the red cross needs volunteers.

**Mercio**

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who are and will be affected, and especially to walrus's bro, I was watching the news a little earlier and there was a huge traffic jam :S I think someone said that they made 16 miles in 8 hours.

Noj*

Mercio wrote:

was watching the news a little earlier and there was a huge traffic jam :S I think someone said that they made 16 miles in 8 hours.

Yeah, I'm in Dallas, TX....
Generally, it takes 4hrs or so to get to Houston or vice versa...

Today, it is taking 12+hrs to travel the same distance.

Some running out of gas or breaking down on the side of the highway.

South bound was closed and reidrected North, so there are now 8 North bound lanes to get out.

The Government has fuel trucks posted up and down the Freeway, to help out those in need.

All South Texas Oil refinaries have been closed, so fuel scare has started again...

Once again, I would like to wish anyone having to evacuate or fight off this hurricane,

good health, best of luck, and you are all in everyone's prayers.

Walrus, I have alot of friends/family in Houston too, here's hoping that everything turns out ok...

**P0ET**

My thoughts are with you all

00Zero

to all my fellow Texans that are not evacuating if you see a car with its hazard lights on or broken down on the side of the road and there's people in it, HELP those people.A lot of people are just trying to get to shelters or family/friends nearby and have been traveling for over a day in crawling bumper to bumper traffic just to get to safety.I helped one family on the side of the road that had been there for over an hour and this is in central Austin,all they needed was some help with a flat tire,it took half and hour out of my day,and i don't think that's to much to ask.All I'm saying is in these terrible situations we really need to have each others backs,and try to think of others plight a little,help when and where you can.

**Walrus**

My personal update: My brother and his family made it out last night when the I-10 eastbound lanes were switched to westbound traffic. They safely arrived in San Antonio early this morning. Thanks for everyone's well-wishing--it looks like my family is safe now.

It looks like Houston may escape the direct path of Rita and the hurricane itself seems to be weakening. There are still many people who are going to be impacted by Rita's landfall and all our thoughts go out to them, their families, and their friends. I hope at least most peoples' stories have as happy an ending as mine has. Best wishes, all.

QforQ-MxO

Good to hear Walrus. Update for LET: We've heard from those who
evacuated and they are doing fine. And we are hoping that the Hurricane
stays at a lvl 3. Preparing a Welcome back party for those
affected by the Hurricane.

Detrius_MXO

Yea glad to see your family is out of harms way. That highway looked like a mess. Your sigs messed up Walrus.

Update: 2 minutes later I see your sig, never mind.

Message Edited by Detrius_MXO on 09-23-2005 06:36 PM
Message edited by Detrius_MXO on 09/23/2005 17:36:08.

**PBlade**

Good to hear Walrus!

**thornTree**

Good to hear your brother and his family are safe Walrus - I'm still
waiting to hear from some friends of mine in the area, so I know how
much it means to know yourloved ones are safe.

Zacharias

Its now some weeks ago, but it was horrible what had happend. I live in
germany, and I had heared that a region so great like germany was
destroyed by this hurricane :smileysurprised:

With this hurricane I had hoped it would open the eyes of GeorgeW.Bush
to sign the Kyoto protocoll, but no way, I dont like this man and many
europes dont like this man. And I think after the catastrophic help
from the US goverment is the affection of many americans to Bush gone.

I dont want to say it is his falt, but he had do a bit against the nature and the help he had done was terrible in my eyes :smileysad:

In full hope that many lifes could be safed from this catastrophe.