It's that stormy time of year again

And T.S. Cristobal has caught the attention of the best hurricane tracker around. By the middle of next week it could potentially be Category 1 or 2 and on a collision course with Texas. It's not too early to have gas in the car, a few supplies stocked in just in case you need to shelter in place, and an evac plan.

You don't want to get stuck in the world's worst traffic jam like last time, do you?

I pray it's not damaging, but that it does send some rain up to the DFW area.

is that the exact same situation occurred in Corpus in 1999, when the majority of folks living in the CC area were caught with their pants down & had to flee from Hurricane Brett the morning of the day the storm hit. I-37 was a freaking parking lot from Padre Island almost to George West. It took my friend & I almost FIVE HOURS to drive from CC to SA, a trip that normally takes 2, maybe 2:30 (if you're not speeding :blush: ). I-37 was specifically constructed so that it could be turned into 4 lanes, all headed north, but the State claimed it couldn't possibly do that, it wouldn't be "safe." (and yet, a few weeks later, both Georgia AND Florida were able to pull off this hazardous feat with no loss of life & lots of commendations for quick thinking).

So, they KNEW this situation could happen, but chose to do nothing about it, other than to stand around while it happened & go :wtf:

:eyes:

As for this new system, well it is that time of year to update your hurricane stash anyway, so thanks for the reminder, PDittie!! :loveya:

dg

I know someone who made it from SE Houston to San Antonio in that fiasco in 3 1/2 hours. But he never got anywhere near I-10 until past Columbus. He said there was no one on the back roads-everybody was on the giant parking lot.
I always know the back roads where I'm at and would never take the "official" evacuation route.

We didn't go anywhere during Rita and don't intend to in the future, even though we are closer to the coast than I realized when we moved here. I'd really like to move to SA, Austin, or somewhere in between, but we're stuck here until my husband retires.

One of the signs of an approaching storm is a ring around the Moon at night and the more distinct the ring, the more likely a storm is coming.

Prior to the Galveston storm of 1900 residents experienced breezeless nights with a stifling humidity. Many noticed that happening last night.

The main concern is New Orleans. Most expect the levees will not hold up in another storm. Despite assurances that all is well.

We are not safe either really and while Allison was a rare occurence the reality is that some hurricanes can produce in excess of 20 inches of rain which of course is what caused the flooding during Allison.

We have had continued development and of course continued subsidence in some areas and while storm sewers are being replaced around the city and kept clear of debris and there are some "retention" areas scattered about, including the disovery that sections of I-10 and 59 and 288 do double duty in heavy rains, the reality is our bayous, particularly Brays and White Oak, simply cannot handle large amounts of rain.

Many will be watching the Moon in the coming days as well as watching the weather forecasts. And of course watching to see if the breeze picks up and the humidity falls at night.

And boy does this state need that wet stuff. I'm counting the days....

Take care on the coast!

Great great great, hello Dolly indeed.

:hi: PDittie!

dg

Your evac plan can always include Houston, you know :hug:

:hug: :loveya:

I'm staying. The storm didn't get that much time to get to level 3 or higher. We'll get some rain, I'm sure, but it won't be too bad. :crosses fingers:

dg

:)

The wind is picking up & it's been cloudy all day, so we're going to get something (rain, I hope).

dg