Looks like she's running a bit south of Katrina's path, with expectations of slamming the Florida Keys, then crossing The Bathtub to hit Houston with extra energy pulled from the hot Gulf of Texas.
Gawd, but I'd hate to be on the Overseas Hiway today. It's bad enough getting out of their on Sunday, but with a major evacuation - wow. I hope it's one-way out on both sides of the road, and I'm sure that many are being sent to Car Sound Road from Key Largo.
My Houston friends tell me that they have not had a bad hit since 1983 and today's general population doesn't remember how to prepare and survive. I guess that those over 40 who have lived there all their lives might, but the metro area has grown so much, it won't be the same. With much of the swamp we call The City of Houston below 20 feet elevation, I guess we can expect the possibilities that a storm surge to push water up the channel and bayous and flood the concrete jungle.
For quick advice, see: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
(1) Get ply-board, duct tape, tools, bottled water, canned foods, plastic sewage bags, bleach, etc. today!!
(2) Book hotels inland now for Thursday night - all weekend.
(3) Beat the rush out on Thursday. The escape routes may be full on Friday. Take the water, food, zip locks and sewage bags, and bleach with you.
How far does one need to go to escape flooding? I wouldn't know? I remember getting heavy rains from Carla in 61, and I'm 600 miles away, 3,000 feet higher...
Edited by DandyDon, 19 September 2005 - 09:14 PM.
