Went over to the family compound in SW Houston. Everything was and is fine. Returned to my house in near north Houston today. House is fine and the phone connection is back, allowing me to get over my internet withdrawls. A rather large tree against my fence line was apparently split by lightening, but it split East-West, avoiding any major damage.
We dodged a bullet. My sister and her family are trying to figure out how soon they can return to Beaumont, where they reportedly had more significant damage, but everyone in my clan is ok.
Thanks for your concern.
Thanks for letting us know. I hope your sister's place is OK, at least you know that she and her family are safe.
Got up 6 am Saturday, heard it was fine, called my house and my answering machine was ON!
That meant POWER!!!
Called a neighbor and the roads were clear in the neighborhood and heard the only damage was tree limbs down and a few trees uprooted.
My house was untouched! YEA!!!!!
So we decided to get the show on the road and we did.
Petsmart opened at 7 am (Round Rock) was there when they opened was the luckily the first customer (since others had the same game plan) and I scooped up my grateful lil dogs and we were on the road at 7:15 am.
Zoomed down I35, hopped on 290 took that all the way to 36...went south on 36 to Bellville and Sealy (which intersects with I10). National guard were in Bellville directing traffic (thank goodness for these fine men and women) and at 36 & I10.
NOT a DROP of gasoline anywhere...none!
The reasoning for the 36 detour was that we were hearing that people were leaving Bryan/College Station and it was choked up at 6 and 290. We figured that the traffic coming in from San Antonio hadn't hit the Sealy area...and we were right.
Once on I10 and sailed at 70 mph until we hit Memorial Mall area (which chokes down ANYDAY at any hour it must be cursed roadway )...zipped up 610, exited Ella...and was home at NOON.
NOW at my house I have rather old and large pecan trees...one large limb in driveway, but my neighbor helped me tug it out, it missed my house and garage, and another limb is still hung up in the tree but is wedged in so that a tree trimmer will have to get it out.
Had tons of pine needles and pieces of oak tree EVERYWHERE.
My flat yard had become rather 3 dimensional...
8 (55 gal) trash bags FULL of needles and pieces of oak trees.
Literally worked in nthe yard with my hard hat on, my neighbor thought I was nuts until she got beaned by a green pecan on her shoulder, let me tell you, the 40 mph gusts that were still lingering were a welcomed breeze in the heat BUT was helping the pecans rocket down with some speed.
Was done with yard work at 6 pm, went to a local watering hole...had margaRITAs, exchanged stories with neighbors and was GLAD to be HOME!
Slept like a rock until 9 am today (I always get up at 6 on the weekends), my dogs were actually exhausted too, they let me sleep in!
Would I do it again, YEP! Did I learn some tricks...sure did, was good planning required, you bet ya!
If and when something else catastropic ever hits Houston, I hope that this trial run was the practice I will need to save my life.
Thanks again Howlin for hooking me up with GRRRR and the room, that was the first bit of good luck that made this whole adventure perfect from start to finish.
So in the end, we had a worldwind tour of Texas...scooting away from Rita and traffic.
Say prayers that electricity is restored soon to those who are without, we are actually having a heat wave and many folks are still without simple comforts.