Hi all, just to give you an update from where i live...I live in Mt Pleasant, Tx..bout 50miles or so north of Longview. Heard word at the gas pumps that they were out of gas in Gilmer and I heard Longview, not sure on that one. The Walmart here is out of propane, bottled water, Dbatteries. It was just plum crazy there! I guess everybody learned a lesson from Katrina. I guess like good boy scouts, its good to be prepared.
God Bless all of yall.

Katiegirl

Any Lousiana folks out there... anyone near Alexandria? One of my 19 yo sons just arrived there with the Red Cross and he'll be working in a shelter. Left his nice, safe, dry home here in MI to help out and is now crossing Rita's path. He's loving it (the kid lives on adrenalin, which is why he is studying to be a paramedic)... but I'm a little concerned when I see that big ol monster veering to the northeast.

I have nothing to be concerned about.... I have nothing to be concerned about.... I have nothing to be concerned about...right?

~ Snow

PS (MOM.... glad to see CC is getting out of the bullseye!)

bump -keep this site going

My son jsut ccam back from Iraq and New orleans just got called is on stand by for Lousianan again. He is fro Nat'l guards in NH - he will help. He is a great kid. Sgt.Cumings. If you see him give him big kiss from Mom . God people be safe and get out., Love to all if you need a place e-mail me at rrjanice@yahoo.com

Katie, you are right in my backyard! We still have lots of gas in Longview, not sure about propane though. I bought the last package of hotdog buns at Sams and the rest of the bread shelves were blown. There are long lines at the gas stations, though. The town was busy as heck tonight.

My brother finally left Houston around 10:30 this morning and we haven't heard frm him yet. It is usually a 3.5 hr drive. He doesn't have a cell phone either, so I hope he is ok.

Mel, he is probably stuck in that huge traffic jam. It is bumper to bumper for 100's of miles.

I don't see why they couldn't have had both sides of I45 going north. No one is really going south-bound anyway. I don't know, but it would make sense to me. What do I know !!

He will be at your doorstep soon. Leave a light on <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Take care - Car

Thanks carnation! I thought they had opened up I45 both lanes going north? darn if they haven't! I heard it lightens up significantly around Lufkin.

Yes, Miss Melody, I am in your backyard. It was very busy here too. I did find propane at the KOA, which by the way, is full as is all our hotels. Our church is lined up as a shelter if it is needed, as are several other churches in town.
Tomorrow I will spend the day covering stuff up and securing the lawn furniture. Fill the water bottles and all that other stuff.
Yall got a house full yet? Has your brother made it? The traffic is just horrible. I saw lots of cars and SUV's on the road today loaded with luggage on the roofs.
Yall all be safe. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Katie

11:00 and still no brother. Looks like the hurricane is headed for Lake Charles, LA! This lady called a radio show here and said she hoped if it hit anywhere, it would be New Orleans. Her reasoning? It is already evacuated, already mostly destroyed! Doubt they would agree with reasoning, though. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

((( Mel's brother )))

He is on his way. Please do not worry. It is just taking a loooong time to get to you. Enjoy him when he arrives.

Some guy on Larry King tonight said NorthEast Texas could get a ridiculous amount of rain. I don't know about Longview, but it is very very dry here. We could take alot of rain, but not tooooo much.

Take care of yourself and yours' Texans !!!
God Bless Us.

Car

Thanks carnation! <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Yes, I heard we were supposed to get upwards of 12." Maybe my grass will revive.

Decided to go out last night...came home about 11pm and every gas station I drove past looked was full of lines or had their pumps covered. The traffic was amazing al over the place. DD and I had gone to the grocery store to pick up her garter for her homecoming date...the grocery store was amazing...we got one of the last parking spots. When we went in the lines were incredible. We're up a bit north of Dallas.

Anyone know how to clean gutters out? Borrowed a ladder that I can actually use but don't even know what I am doing.

Good Luck to all that may be affected by this big storm! I can't imagine what it feels like to have to leave...wow.

Sadie..you are around Dallas so I was wondering if you would mind telling me what the forecast is like for your area. It sounds like the stores are busy and running out of stuff. Does that mean you will be getting hit or is it people coming from the south?

The reason I ask is I have a former foreign exchange student going to college around Dallas and I don't know how she will be affected. I am a little worried but I don't want to call and worry her. I am hoping the college is prepared and has told the students in housing what to do etc. She is from Japan and has seen some pretty bad weather but that is when she is with family.

I hope you and all around you are safe. Thanks for any info you can give.

From what I heard on the news this am...the Dallas/Ft Worth area is now not to expect rain but perhaps high winds. The majority of the rain is going to push up along the Texas/LA border (over by Melody). The rain/chance of tornados should be at least 30 miles east of Dallas. Unless it takes a turn other than what is projected (and we all know it can) DFW should be just fine.

Stores are running low on the basics from what I saw last night...water and beer!! But I think this is because most people have family staying with them so they are just stocking up on extra food for the additional people staying with them.

I know my best friend and her husband currently has 15 people staying in her 3 bedroom house. Everyone I seem to know and talked with last night has friends/family staying with them.

If anything, you may wish to contact her and tell her to fill up her car. They have projected with all the people here we will have pumps closed and there is a chance for higher prices over the next week. I know last night I saw many lines at open stations...but also so many closed stations.

Thanks Sadie! It doesn't sound like it will be too bad in that area. That is a relief for me! I would hate for her to have to go through a hurricane! She doesn't drive so gas will not be an issue for her.

It sounds like a very stressful situation for everyone involved! 15 people in one house? And the stress of the unknown...what will happen to my house, job etc...man alive, I don't think I could take it!

I guess the impending winter up here and the inevitable 40 below zero doesn't sound so bad compared to a hurricane! No snakes, poisonous anything, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, or earthquakes (except the 6.1 we had a few years back in the middle of the night when it was 20 below zero right after a big snowstorm!)around these parts. Just mountains, trees, and very harsh winters for us.

Thanks again for the info...that helps me alot!

God ... that burned up bus ..... no words .... <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Pep, what happened? I haven't seen the news...

New Orleans 9th ward water rushing over the levee - my son was just sent home Nat'l guard and he may be getting sent back -he was called yesterday.

Bus exploded 24 dead -oxygen tanks exploeded they say they were all elederly

Oh my...I just turned on the news and they are showing the levee in N.O. Life may never be the same there. Unbelievable.

The bus..was it evacuating elderly residents? How awful.
They just showed it on the news. Good grief. Like Pep, no words.