51 replies to this topic

[T-Bird01]

Hopefully if you are reading this, that means you have evacuated because there is still major power outages all over the city. I am posting from my parents house about an hour and a half outside of Houston. I know it sounds a little cliche, but the best I can describe Houston (at least the area close to downtown & Galleria) right now is a "war zone." Basically pretty close to every home and business is without power, trees all over roads, trees that fell through houses, major flooding, lots of broken windows, etc. I was out driving yesterday and saw some crazy shit.....huge oak trees that were uprooted, roofs off of businesses, cars underwater on I-10, etc. Pretty much the entire city has been without power and water since late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Luckily one of my buddies had a generator and a window A/C unit so a few of us crashed over there last night. With the rains this morning, the flooding has gotten a lot worse.

There is really nothing open....maybe a grocery store or convenince store here or there, but ridiculously huge lines at whatever place is open. I left my apartment this morning because I didn't want to have to sit in the heat without water and bored as shit all day. From all indications, they've still only restored about 10-15% of the city's power. Sounds like it may take at least a week to get all power and water restored. Who knows how long it will take them to clean up all of the debris. If you are outside of the city, I wouldn't even bother trying to come back till at least Tuesday or so.

Galveston is a completely different story....basically New Orleans after Katrina would be how I'd describe it (although probably not as bad being that the flood waters didn't just stay there). They will be cleaning that mess up for several months and I seriously doubt it will be at least a few weeks before they let any non-rescue people back on the island. Pretty crazy shit all around....

[T-Bird01]

Also from watching the news it looks like FEMA has really screwed the pooch yet again.

[dag]

I've been up in Fort Worth since thursday and flipping back and forth between Football and the news, it looks like they've done a pretty good job in handling this catastrophe. So far no casualties in the area. Houston is a very resilient city and will be back on its feet in no time.

On a side note, i've been playing a lot of golf, watching football and going to the bars the last 5 days. been great.

[dag]

oh, and the bolivar peninsula looks like a 3rd world country

[HeyMoe]

Also from watching the news it looks like FEMA has really screwed the pooch yet again.

I'd watch it. The libs in the media that bring you the news would like nothing better than to turn this into anoither Katrina story to hurt the GOP. And Houston has a Dem mayor. Sorry, but in an election year all it will take is for FEMA to be five minutes late getting someone their MRE before the Dems will scream "See, Bush and the Repubs did it again!"

[Techsan]

I'm out in Katy, getting a shower and a bit of AC. I listened to some radio a bit earlier today, and Sheila Jackson Lee (black racist bitch democrat) was bitching about something. How she got elected is unbelievable to me.

Hopefully we should have power soon. No work tomorrow.

[dag]

techsan, how's katy? i'm going there tomorrow

[BQ_90]

The State of Texas asked FEMA this morning to take over transportation and distribution of supplies. They aren't prepared for that, City of Houston Mayor and Harris County Judge said bring the shit in a we'll distribute. Some how this has turned into a FEMA fuck up. News media asking why hasn't the shit arrived yet and why wasn't in closer.

My view, I drove into the Willowbrook area today to bring generator and ice to my Brother and parents. 290 jammed up with idiots coming back to Houston. I'm sure I-10 is the same, so no wonder the FEMA trucks are slow getting to Houston. FEMA Sec. said they couldn't put closer because they didn't know where the fucker was going.

Galveston and Bolivier are fucking toast. A gov't official in Chambers Co. said that over half of ever home is damaged, and just about ever coastal town gone. So the Houston media is pissed because FEMA hasn't brought in ice and GENERATORS. Like FEMA is going give everyone a generator.

So far they haven't shown many helicopter rescues. That could be good OR bad.

The Houston media has been 24 hrs. non stop on this since TWO days before. IMO they are trying to invent a FEMA fuck up so they can stay on the air some more.

Shelia Jackson dumbass grabbed the FEMA guy basically demanding the generators go to her District. He popped back saying they where going to hospitals and shelters.

FEMA is a government agency, with not a lot of people. They can't be expected to do everything. I fully expect the media to start trolling nursing homes and the 5th ward to start up the government doesn't care about blacks and the elderly.

[Techsan]

were in the Grand Lakes area. Have power and water.

[BQ_90]

Looks like Katy and Ft. Bend are coming back quickly. They have power on 290 and Spring Cypress, but the closer to 249 nothing. All my family lives in either spring or the willowbrook area. A lot of tree debris, no power, but thank God no damage to the houses

[T-Bird01]

Guys - I wasn't trying to turn this into a political discussion (I'm a republican btw), just reporting what I've been seeing. There were several stations with 1st response rescue people that were running out of food and water in Houston. I don't believe that should be happening. Again, just reporting what I'm seeing on the local news (could be slanted). Sounds like FEMA has done pretty well in Galveston though.

The best shower I've ever taken was today when I got to my parents. Hadn't been able to take one since Friday evening. I'm hoping that many places are back open tomorrow, but I have a feeling that grocery stores and gas stations will just be jam packed.

[T-Bird01]

Looks like Katy and Ft. Bend are coming back quickly. They have power on 290 and Spring Cypress, but the closer to 249 nothing. All my family lives in either spring or the willowbrook area. A lot of tree debris, no power, but thank God no damage to the houses

Heights area got hit pretty hard.

[dag]

are there any gyms open yet?

[HeyMoe]

Guys - I wasn't trying to turn this into a political discussion (I'm a republican btw), just reporting what I've been seeing. There were several stations with 1st response rescue people that were running out of food and water in Houston. I don't believe that should be happening. Again, just reporting what I'm seeing on the local news (could be slanted). Sounds like FEMA has done pretty well in Galveston though.

The best shower I've ever taken was today when I got to my parents. Hadn't been able to take one since Friday evening. I'm hoping that many places are back open tomorrow, but I have a feeling that grocery stores and gas stations will just be jam packed.

I know you didn't. What bothers me though is.....where the fuck did the idea come from that five minutes after a natural disaster there is supposed to be a smiling FEMA guy standing outside your house with an MRE and a bottle of water? I went thru three bad hurricanes growing up in Corpus and we were always told that for 3 to 5 days after an event, you're own your own. Relief may not be able to get to you (as was the case with Celia when we had downed palm trees blocking the way out of our neighborhood) so make sure you've got enough food, water, batteries, medical supplies, etc.

I have no doubt that Shelia Jackson Lee will milk this for all it's worth. And who wants to give me the over / under on how many days before this becomes a racial thing (the black neighborhoods in Houston-Galveston are being neglected, etc) AND, don't forget the "we need more National Guard troops to help out but most of them are in Iraq."

Edited by HeyMoe, 14 September 2008 - 09:08 PM.

[HeyMoe]

Sorry. Had to vent a little. Anybody heard from agent?

[AggieJen02]

I got a PM from him that he and his buddy that was staying with him that had evacuated were going to try to head back to Bridge City tonight. They're hoping they can salvage some things from the guy's house.

[AggieJen02]

what about RK? i've sent a couple of text messages, and never heard back.

[BQ_90]

IMO I'm just tired of the media. They've been on tv non stop since Wednesday. IMO they are trying to find anything to blow up into a "story" so they can keep up the coverage. Just like before and during the storm when there where fires, the media was grilling the gaveston leaders asking why they didn't go "help". Even though the media knew the roads where underwater (talking about the boat storage that went up).

I'm too worried that 1st responders aren't properly stocked with supplies, but is that FEMA's fault??? I'll give Mayor and Judge credit they are trying to take the high road. The 9:30 PM press conf. should be interesting.

[AggieJen02]

watching the news here in austin, and they were interviewing some of the people that had evacuated to austin. they were bitching about fema not doing enough to help them, even though they say they have plenty of food and good shelter.

wouldn't these selfish pricks realize that fema's resources are probably better utilized in the actual disaster area where people have no food, water, or electricity? but NOOOO!!! they're bitching because fema hasn't made it all the way to austin to help out people that already have food, water, and electricity.

[T-Bird01]

BQ - my opinion is that the guys who are out doing rescues should not EVER be in danger of running out of the necessary supplies, whether that is FEMAs fault or not (who else is responsible for this?). If they were stationed in S.A., Austin, or wherever most should have been there by this afternoon at the latest. The storm was through by 10 am on Saturday. I drove 59 today and yesterday without any problem at all. Not to mention that the mayor and a bunch of other city officials were noticably pissed this afternoon at FEMA. I seriously doubt they are letting their political views get in the way of caring for others, but again that is my opinion. Bill White was definitely not happy with FEMA's response, I'll just leave it at that. Shouldn't take more than a day to have supplies into a large city like Houston if you were properly prepared.

Jen - I'm sure RK is like most other sensible people and took the warnings seriously and stocked up on supplies and such. Hopefully he is alright, and keep in mind that the cell phone reception has been pretty spotty.

[BQ_90]

I went into Houston today on 290. It was packed full of people coming back into a bad scene which will make things worse. I'd hate to work for FEMA, no matter what, you'll never bring in stuff soon enough.

[HeyMoe]

BQ - my opinion is that the guys who are out doing rescues should not EVER be in danger of running out of the necessary supplies, whether that is FEMAs fault or not (who else is responsible for this?). If they were stationed in S.A., Austin, or wherever most should have been there by this afternoon at the latest. The storm was through by 10 am on Saturday. I drove 59 today and yesterday without any problem at all. Not to mention that the mayor and a bunch of other city officials were noticably pissed this afternoon at FEMA. I seriously doubt they are letting their political views get in the way of caring for others, but again that is my opinion. Bill White was definitely not happy with FEMA's response, I'll just leave it at that. Shouldn't take more than a day to have supplies into a large city like Houston if you were properly prepared.

Jen - I'm sure RK is like most other sensible people and took the warnings seriously and stocked up on supplies and such. Hopefully he is alright, and keep in mind that the cell phone reception has been pretty spotty.

I'm sure this has been thought of by someone. Why not have the federal and local governments build hardened facilities in at-risk cities (Houston, NO, Miami) where supplies and relief workers could be placed before the storm? The storm passes and then out come all the men, supplies, helicopters, fuel and bulldozers to go to work. No one has to come in from San Antonio or wherever.

Edited by HeyMoe, 14 September 2008 - 09:43 PM.

[BQ_90]

I'd guess money. Plus these supplies have a shelf life.

Galveston has that with the San Luis Hotel. It's built above the old gun bunkers built for WWI I think. They bring in all the city vehicles, etc for protection.

If you look at the where they predicted Ike would hit, SA makes since.

My only question is why truck in, can't they helo or fly in with C130s???

Edited by BQ_90, 14 September 2008 - 09:50 PM.

[Techsan]

The first 72 hours (that is 3 days) are up to you to figure out. After that, then you can start looking for a FEMA debit card.

I heard from RK, he said he was somehwere that had power and water, I think near the Houston area.


We found a Target that was open on Westheimer. We bought some paper towels, chips, and salsa. That was it (cuz we be smrt enuff to be havin some food and water, we mainly just be bored). BUT, we did almost see 2 fights while in the store.

[BQ_90]

BUT, we did almost see 2 fights while in the store.

So why did you go after 2 guys wearing Aggie hats?

[Techsan]

No aggie hats, just gold colored NY hats and FUBU hats.

[dag]

what's the gas situation like? should i fill up in college station?

[BQ_90]

what's the gas situation like? should i fill up in college station?

fucking yes

The gas station on 290 and 1488 in Hempstead had may 50 cars in line. The love truck stop in Waller had at least 150 cars waiting on gas. I got off at Spring Cypress heading to 249. If the station was open it didn't have gas.

[Techsan]

Yes, fill up in college station. It isn't worth the wait here in Houston.

[BQ_90]

maybe that shit will improve tomorrow but I stay out for another day if you can. Most of Houston still doesn't have power.