I live in Friendswood, about 34 mile drive from the island. Last night about 9:30 pm I got an automated call from the city pretty much saying that there is no mandatory evacuation like there was for Rita, but if you plan to stay you are on your own until after the storm passes. I evacuated during Rita because the police said I had to and, like many others spent untold hours on the road. I will never do that again.
In looking around the city, I didn't see many boards going up but the gas stations and groceries were getting slammed last night. I just got back from filling-up my 2 cars and gas tanks I had to go to two places before I found someone who had gas at 2:45 am this morning.
After Rita I had a metal roof put on my house (wind rated to 120 mph) and 1/2" thick lexan storm panels installed over my windows. This should be a good test of the new roof and the window protection. I'm riding this one out here at the house. Will try to check in as long as the power holds out.
Pray for the folks living on the coast, it really looks like they're going be hit hard.
Maybe Ike will do a Rita and go north of us too. I can’t believe Galveston is not evcuating. Guess they figure they can handle Ike.
TexGal,
What is your elevation there? And, are east or west of I-45?
If you’re on the east side... you may not be safe... even under a metal roof and storm windows.
It is very odd for me to be on this side of the hurricane! Usually my sister in TX is watching the storm hit me (south alabama)!