Hurricane News

Got news from my friends who live in the hurricane zone. Although they live 90 miles from the coast, they decided not to risk being without power in a tornado zone for days, especially since Maurine is pregnant. It took them 11 hours to reach San Antonio, usually a 3-3.5 hour drive. They went via backroads and think that if they'd taken the major highways they would still be on the road. They even managed to find gasoline in Shiro, TX, and only had to wait for about 20 minutes to get it. I'll let Andy tell you the rest:

Anyway, we're in the clear and now waiting it out before deciding when to head back. The new track for the hurricane is mixed news for us. The fact that it tracked east means we're on the "clean side" of the storm which is a real blessing for Galveston and the Houston shipping channel. Where our house is we should still get hurricane force winds (at least on the latest track I saw), which isn't good, but it shouldn't last for as long. That being said, the new prediction that it could sit for a couple days and we could get 10 - 20"+ of rain in the next few days may actually be worse news for downtown and the suburbs.

Not much else to say. I've been horrified by the news (evacuation bus burning, levies in NOLA breached again), but I'm glad my friends made it out. I'm worried for all the people who can't get out, but glad that the government is taking this one seriously this time. With half a day left before landfall, I hope the folks that can get out are out, and that everyone else will be safe. Not much else to say. If you are still in the hurricane zone: Good luck and God bless.