This one is for Texas --IKE

[mikim]

Don -- I really don't know -- but If I were to build in that area I think I know what builder I'd want to use. There were some high dollar houses on the west end of Galveston that are still standing ... damaged I'm sure --but they're all still there. Really surprising considering the wave that washed over 'em. BTW the fella in the office I was telling you about lives (lived) at 1500 block of N MacGregor ....he went home to survey the damage and hasn't come back to work yet...Boss told him to take however long he needs.

 

[mikim]

not sure if this will work or not but worth a shot.
1. download the free version of Google Earth
2. drag this file into the "places" box on the left
3. zoom into the galveston Island / Bolivar area
4. click on the box where you just dragged the file for an "after" shot
5. click on the box again for the 'before"
If you get it to work -- it's pretty dramatic

had to zip it -- unzip it first

 

[mikim]

They say this is really bringing out the best and worst in people. I believe it. TV crew was interviewing a couple in a relief line on the island ...obviously sloshed...and were asked "how long are you going to try to stay?" (authorities would prefer folks leave until services are restored)...answer: "as long as they keep bringing us food and water we'll stay" (they were evidently well stocked with alcohol)
note to rescue workers: "please don't feed the drunks, it only encourages them to beg"..... guess some of this is bringing out the worst in me as well.....tolerance level is falling.

 

[MossRoad]

not sure if this will work or not but worth a shot.
1. download the free version of Google Earth
2. drag this file into the "places" box on the left
3. zoom into the galveston Island / Bolivar area
4. click on the box where you just dragged the file for an "after" shot
5. click on the box again for the 'before"
If you get it to work -- it's pretty dramatic

had to zip it -- unzip it first

WOW! I downloaded it and dragged it over. Very amazing how fast that was put together. Man, everything is gone!!!

 

[redneckford]

ain't nobody waiting tables, mowing grass or teaching school able to afford a house like that!!!! Guess they will just have to drive in from DALLAS!!!!Daily?

 

[firedog]

Yeah, but how long was life expectancy then?

True enough, and by no means am I suggesting we should back to that kind of hardships, however, I believe we should be prepared for disasters such as this and at least be able to survive a few weeks.

After Rita I made preparations, and now I'll make some more.

 

[Bird]

I believe we should be prepared for disasters such as this and at least be able to survive a few weeks.

I agree, but I can certainly at least understand those who do not have the ability to do so.

 

[firedog]

Please don't misunderstand me. I am in no position to talk about folks in other areas of this disaster other than those around me. The very people I see from day to day, fueling their boats, buying & selling, spending money like there is no tomorrow, and then, when it hits they are unprepared and gripe about Fema or the Govt. or somebody. These very people live on the same road as me. Drive nice cars, own motorcycles.
My cars aren't new, don't have a boat or motorcycle. nor a 3 car garage. I work hard, save as best I can so that I can make it thru the hard times. I figure if I can take care of those around me, then I've done something worth while. If I can't help myself, how can I help someone else?

My FIL just like my Dad served in WWII. Worked hard & scrimped so that us kids could have a better life. I would like to be able to pass that on to my kids. Dad is long gone and FIL is 87 living with us. I glad to take care of him.
It just chaps me when ablebodied folks (not the elderly or incapacitated) won't lift a finger to help themselves or those around them. takers but not givers. (ie: the guy down at the firestation yesterday, downing the boyscouts who were helping out, complaining about the FD, FEMA, Govt, Electrical crews, whining because the ice truck was late.)

My dad always spoke of people working together, helping each other out during times like these, what I see now is an "every man for himself mentality".

Rant off................I feel better

 

[RobJ]

Mike, I notice one or two beach houses standing that look like they have little damage among torn pilings of the neighbors. What was the difference in construction?

Mike is right, the water did the damage, not the wind.

Boliver has been around for a while. The new codes say the houses have to be up a certain height. Some of the older homes are only 5' up. My parents was about 10'. Newer ones were higher. Also some of the homes that didn't make it didn't have break away walls under them. My parents had a fridge, lawnmower, etc in a 10x10 room under theirs, but the walls were basically lattice fence. Easy to break away and allow the water to go under. Their neighbor lost a little temp building in another storm years ago, washed down about 1/4mile. He put 4 poles around it thinking it would just rise up next time. I think not. I suggested 1 pole and attach a cable, let it move instead of being beat to death. Wonder how it did. His house I bet survived, it was at least 15' high to the floor.

Another day no power. Lost water for a while. Cheap water company took 3 days to start the generators they have on the pumps. then let the diesel run dry. Sucks.

Nice cool night though. But I was very proud of that 25 yo yellow generator. Ran 14 hours on 3.5 gallons. Didn't have all the stuff on all the time, mostly the fridges and a couple lights.

Rob

 

[redneckford]

Please don't misunderstand me. I am in no position to talk about folks in other areas of this disaster other than those around me. The very people I see from day to day, fueling their boats, buying & selling, spending money like there is no tomorrow, and then, when it hits they are unprepared and gripe about Fema or the Govt. or somebody. These very people live on the same road as me. Drive nice cars, own motorcycles.
My cars aren't new, don't have a boat or motorcycle. nor a 3 car garage. I work hard, save as best I can so that I can make it thru the hard times. I figure if I can take care of those around me, then I've done something worth while. If I can't help myself, how can I help someone else?

My FIL just like my Dad served in WWII. Worked hard & scrimped so that us kids could have a better life. I would like to be able to pass that on to my kids. Dad is long gone and FIL is 87 living with us. I glad to take care of him.
It just chaps me when ablebodied folks (not the elderly or incapacitated) won't lift a finger to help themselves or those around them. takers but not givers. (ie: the guy down at the firestation yesterday, downing the boyscouts who were helping out, complaining about the FD, FEMA, Govt, Electrical crews, whining because the ice truck was late.)

My dad always spoke of people working together, helping each other out during times like these, what I see now is an "every man for himself mentality".

Rant off................I feel better

Thank You and the People Like YOU!!!! But you better get involved in that unspeakable word on TBN (P------)and take this country back from the ME!!!!ME!!!! Gang---- cause WE!!!WE!!!WE!!! can not make it following the ME!!!ME!!! Leaders----- there is no HOPE are help for the people that need it----cause they worry about ME!!!ME!!! instead of WE!!!WE!!! I bet your DAD is looking down on you and is proud as punch!!!!! WE!!!WE!!! built this great country and WE!!!WE!!! can rebuild it to it's former Glory.

 

[Bird]

Thank You and the People Like YOU!!!! But you better get involved in that unspeakable word on TBN (P------)and take this country back from the ME!!!!ME!!!! Gang---- cause WE!!!WE!!!WE!!! can not make it following the ME!!!ME!!! Leaders----- there is no HOPE are help for the people that need it----cause they worry about ME!!!ME!!! instead of WE!!!WE!!! I bet your DAD is looking down on you and is proud as punch!!!!! WE!!!WE!!! built this great country and WE!!!WE!!! can rebuild it to it's former Glory.

Yes, everyone needs to be involved in politics, and there are plenty of other websites for that purpose, so please remember that Tractorbynet is here for another purpose.

 

[mikim]

redneck--your examples are pretty classic "rock and the hard place" .... don't know what I'd do in those circumstances. But -- I'd sure choose save my life vs. put it in severe harms way. All that other -- is replaceable.
The thing that had me angry is all those idiots on Bolivar having hurricane parties until they discovered oops we're gonna die ... then they call for rescue....putting rescuers in harms way and eating resources that could be better spent elsewhere. They had plenty of warning .... If you do that google thing I posted ... you'll see why they were told early on to git the heck out.

 

[RobJ]

Some more fun pics, life on a generator.

Maybe you can see the short double ended cord I made to backfeed my house. Works great, yes, turn off the main and breakers.

Then feeding the 25yo Robin with the large tank from the honda. I might try the honda again tonight.

Then my gas can supply. Hey I now will have a couple REAL diesel yellow jugs. All the HD had on my last supply run.

Also found a couple pics from Boliver. My parents old beachhouse, not as tall as I remember, maybe 8-9'. I'm 6'2" and have plenty of head room under it. To the right is the neighbors and it is much higher. You can also see neighbors little brown work room, that I'm sure is gone. also a picture a new school down there on Hwy 87. I did hear on the radio the school is intact with minor damage. This is about 6 miles off the ferry, Crystal Beach is about 10-11 miles off the ferry.

Rob

 

[txdon]

I agree, but I can certainly at least understand those who do not have the ability to do so.

Bird, here is where the problem lies.

Where a person decides to live is an important decision. Their first concern should be safety according to their abilities.

If a person cannot walk down a flight of stairs he should not live in a high rise building.

If a person cannot drive (or have the mental ability to call for help before) out of an area that may be evacuated several times a year they should think of moving to assisted living, before they die or cause the death of first responders.

For the hurricane party dudes, under mandatory evacuation , they should reimburse the state for their rescue.

This may sound harsh but if people don't do it on their own ......well, you know what happened with seat belts.

 

[redneckford]

SO we just move 1/3 of the population of southwest Louisiana and East Texas to Dallas into assisted living housing---what a great life----I would rather Die trying----Than have some rich kid tell me how to live----If all those rich non tax paying folks(Vacation Homes) would get off the road we could leave before the storm and return after it----its all those people that are entitled because they got a high paying job----I know that is the capitalist system---but you can help those folks on wall street but cause I lost some cows it is just tuff luck---Take your 401k loss like a grown person and go on!!!!!! If you don't grow it or make it, you are living off someone else period!!!!! That includes insurance agents and lawyers!!!!!! Doctors,nurses and teachers are a different story!!!!!!