Hey, Texans - how are you doing? I'm hunkered down west of Houston - traffic on I-10 is bumper to bumper heading to San Antonio.

I'm here in Houston. I'm not evacuating. :cool:

You thinking an Ike Turner kind of thing?

My first thought is always "I like Ike" We need campaign slogans like that again. Who could even tell you the campaign slogans of recent elections? But "I like Ike" stands a test of time, even for people who weren't born yet during that election!

A ten year old was killed by a tree his father was cutting down in anticipation of the storm.:( As I was up on the roof with my father covering the 2nd story windows with plywood it occurred to me I did NOT want to be a storm-related fatality. Luckily, I survived.

Winds are picking up - rain should be coming soon.

I don't understand anyone who would stay in Galveston, especially after hearing this:

quote from the chief of Dept. of Homeland Security...

Chertoff also urged people not to succumb to "hurricane fatigue," referring to concerns that authorities were overestimating Ike's potential impact.

"Unless you're fatigued with living, I suggest you want to take seriously a storm of this size and scale," he said Thursday.

:eek: Seriously be careful people!

I was very young for Alicia- but I remember it. And we weathered it just fine.

Tonight I am worried. I am not worried about the wind and the rain- this looks very much like my recollection of Alicia.

What I am worried about is the storm surge and its placement. It looks possible that Galveston will have the worst flooding and literally "wipeout" in 100 years- and estimates are that 11,000 people stayed behind. The seawall built in the early 1900s has never been breached, but tonight could be the night.

Additionally, on current trajectory- the storm surge will drive right up the Houston ship channel which is going to flood over 100,000 homes.

You never know what will happen, but all afternoon and evening this storm is keeping on that track and even leaving out all the media hype crap- this could be very, very bad.

I cannot count the friends and family I have in Houston and Galveston- and in areas in between. I am safe here in Austin, but I won't be going to bed tonight.

Prayers and well wishes for everyone in the path of Ike.

Just got an email from my Mom down in Houston with all the family gathered at the main family home there. They are okay and do not expect they will get hit bad being on the west side- but there is a sense of silent dread about all the Galveston residents who stayed behind and also for southeast houston along the ship channel.

This is not good.

I've been glued to the weather channel all night, and I can't imagine being stuck in some of the homes they've shown, completely flooded with no help coming for at least 12 hours. I bet they're kicking themselves for not evacuating....

I really want to hear from some Texans. Everyone in the area okay?

(I wonder how long until power and GreekChatting resumes in the area.)

I too am glued to the Weather Channel because my whole family is right in the middle of Ike. Houston, Conroe, Sugar Land...mother, brothers, sister, aunts and uncles, including 2 elderly uncles who have refused to leave their houses. I can't even get anyone on their cell phones and we keep seeing devastated buildings that are close to them all. I can't believe that Brennan's burned down.

I'm back - probably one of the first to get power back on. Phone service is spotty - texting seems to work better than actual calls. Lots of wind damage here on the west side of Houston - trees down and the like. We, however, were on the "clean" side. Those on the dirty side got much more in the way of rain, leading to lots of flooding. We have a tornado warning northeast of the city - Kingwood to Clark. Flash flood warnings are still posted for low-lying areas and those downstream of some rivers and creeks.

I'm worried about Galveston, too. We are waiting for official word about possible fatalities. My crazy uncle in Seabrook left at literally the last possible minute, so he's okay. My big sis from Kemah is in San Antonio - am trying to find out about my cousin in Seabrook.

I'm happy you are okay.

SWTXBelle and carnation- I have checked in with most everyone with good results so far. I hope the same goes for you. I am going to start a thread in Chit Chat now with the status I have and also a couple of tips for anyone with family down there. The area is still in complete shutdown- and many people may not know how to get the latest news. Hopefully what I and others can post will be helpful info to convey to friends and loved ones.

I'm glad to learn your good news.

I hope things turn out as well for everyone.