Another IKE update

So here we are on Friday morning. We awaken to find that the predictions are the same...IKE is headed straight towards Galveston Island. This is a bit better then this time yesterday that had it tracking to Freeport. While we will still take a hit, if it comes in at Galveston, we will be on the west side. Historically, the west side of the eye is much better than the east side.

Plans for today: Secure the house to the best of our ability. Anything loose in the yard will be brought into the garage. One car will have to sit out. We need to make sure we have access to the main water shutoff valve and the electrical circuit box, both located in the garage.

We'll prepare our "safe room", which is actually our laundry room/pantry. Fortunately, the floor of it is large enough to accommodate a queen size air mattress with enough room left over to make a pallet for Henry. We'll set up a TV and have our stash of flashlights, water, and other foodstuffs nearby.

We'll have to inventory the home and make sure anything of major importance is secured from wind/water damage. At this point, we've decided to evaluate each thing based on how we would feel if it were destroyed. The things that would break our hearts will be secured. The rest is just "stuff".

At this point, the predictions are for a category 3 storm to hit the Galveston coast at about 2 a.m. What that means for us is wind of about 30 mph around lunch time, moving up to 60-70 mph winds by dinner time.

It's going to be a long and stressful day, but I am confident that everything will be okay in the end.

IKE...update

Okay, Papa has been deposited at the airport. Traffic was a bit heavier than normal. Contra-flow lanes won't be opened until later today or tomorrow. His flight is showing an on-time departure.

The updated models continue to show IKE trekking straight at us.

School and work (at least for Leslie) has been canceled for tomorrow.

The 1 p.m. update has it coming in on Friday night as a Category 3 hurricane. There is a cool website here that shows the anticipated wind speed by zip code. Right now, they are estimating 96 mph winds in ours. YIKES!!!

We are still planning on sheltering in place. But we have such wonderful friends and family. We've received phone calls from our friends in Austin and Dallas, offering us a place to stay if we should decide to leave. Others have called just to let us know that their thoughts are with us as we go through this (many going through it themselves, as well).

Looking out the window right now, you'd have no idea what is out there waiting for us in just over 24 hours...

Here we go again....IKE

Yes, we are under a hurricane watch again. Right now, all the models have it coming straight at us. We are trying not to be a slave of the news media on this. We know the drill, so we watch the models here and just prepare appropriately. The hype can really freak you out..so we're avoiding it as much as possible.

The biggest worry is getting Papa to the airport this morning. Harris County is discussing opening contra-flow lanes to assist with all of the areas that are under evacuation orders. The airport is along that evacuation route. So it may take extra time to get to the airport, and then I may be challenged in finding my way back from the airport.

So far, Henry's school has not called for any closing, neither has Harris County (the general Houston area). However, many of the school districts around have called for closings starting today. We're trying to keep our routines as normal as possible for right now. We went to the store last night and are covered as far as essentials. We have a plan of moving into our laundry room (middle of the house with no windows) if/when the storm hits. We have tons of water, food, batteries. We have a crank radio and the propane tanks are full.

We'll keep you posted on how this progresses. We have the attitude of plan for the worst and hope for the best. I am really hoping this is a scenario where all of our planning will be for naught.