TS/Hurricane Rita

KittenKrazy

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Oh Crap, Candie! I don't have any advice for you, but wanted you to know that I'm praying for you, Zach and the furkids, that you'll be safe from harm from this storm!
 
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caprice

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Originally Posted by HopeHacker

If you don't have gas for your car, please get on one of those buses and get out of town. From what I heard, they were letting people take 1 pet with theim, so you take the cat, and your husband take the dog. Don't tell them you are together, and get on the bus. Please.
We have enough gas to get us where we need to go after the storm. We will stay here for now.
 

gailc

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I would fill any container you have with water. And remember a first aid kit. Can you put some clean clothes in plastic garbage bags so they stay dry?? Don't forget the litter box for the cat. I would look around your place for objects that could become possible projectiles too. On the other hand if you are pregnant I agree with being a potential prority evaucee-could you get to a hospital??
Its so tough for me to give advice as I've never gone though anything like this.
Try to stay as calm as possible-I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
 
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caprice

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Originally Posted by Beckiboo

Candie, can your dh siphon gas from one car to another (assuming you have two cars)? Or could you hitch a ride with a neighbor?

I'm sorry this is so stressful, but with you being in advance pregnancy, you are on high priority to evacuate. Call your OB office, call your neighbors. If they have evacuated, could you "steal" some of their gas? Honestly, if they have an extra car left behind, they would probably be glad to have you fill yours just for your safety?

If not, you will remain in my prayers. Get the cats in a crate before it hits, or they will run off and hide.

Zack's car is already at my best friend's house in North Houston. We have one car right now. None of my neighbors are leaving. I'm not pregnant, that was someone else that posted that, I think "catherine" is pregnant, not me. Mittens and Watson (dog) will be in the bathroom right near the hallway when worse comes to worse. Thanks!
 
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caprice

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Originally Posted by Talon

I faintly remember being in a hurrican when I was young - the only thng I remember clearly is being told to put masking tape on all the windows in an X pattern. If I remember correctly this was in case the windows broke - it would help keep the glass peices from flying everywhere.
I did that last night.
 
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caprice

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Originally Posted by GailC

I would fill any container you have with water. And remember a first aid kit. Can you put some clean clothes in plastic garbage bags so they stay dry?? Don't forget the litter box for the cat. I would look around your place for objects that could become possible projectiles too. On the other hand if you are pregnant I agree with being a potential prority evaucee-could you get to a hospital??
Its so tough for me to give advice as I've never gone though anything like this.
Try to stay as calm as possible-I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.
I'm NOT pregnant!!!!!!!!!!
That was catherine!
I've already gotten everything ready around the house. We have lots of buckets ready to be filled with water and I am going to wash all of our dirty clothes today, so we'll have plenty for awhile just in case. Watching the news now, looks like the storm is taking a short turn to the North. That makes my in-laws in the safe zone MAYBE, they live in Sweeny, near Freeport (and Matagorda).
 

beckiboo

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Originally Posted by caprice

Zack's car is already at my best friend's house in North Houston. We have one car right now. None of my neighbors are leaving. I'm not pregnant, that was someone else that posted that, I think "catherine" is pregnant, not me. Mittens and Watson (dog) will be in the bathroom right near the hallway when worse comes to worse. Thanks!
Oh, I do apologize for starting a rumor! And I am very glad you aren't (pregnant), at a time like this! Sounds like you have a good plan. Maybe crate the dog and cat, they may get spooked by noises and get injured or injure you in fear. (If you ever had a cat take off running from sitting on your lap, you know they can dig deep with those claws!)

Ongoing prayers for your safety, and that of your dh and furkids. I wish you could have gotten out.
 

gailc

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I heard on public radio when coming back from lunch it dropped to a cat 4.
BTW I would have some books handy as I'd be doing some reading if the power is out during the day.
 
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caprice

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The bad part is that I can't find the right size batteries anywhere! We'll be better prepared with that next time, that's for sure! But, we have plenty of candles and lighters we bought since they were out of matches too.
 

kittenkiya

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Hurricane Rita has dropped to a Cat 4 with 150 mph winds. If you are going to stay, make sure you have some candles, some flashlights. You may want to put some dry food for your babies and something for yourselves in some ZipLock bags. Get some blankets together, and if it becomes necessary, use your mattress as a buffer. It may be safer for you to put your cats in carriers.

Fill your bathtubs and sinks with water. Even if you lose your roof, you should still have some fairly clean water to drink.

If you have to go higher up in your house to your attic, take a hachet with you. Many people in New Orleans got to their attics to get away from the flood, only to be trapped there because they had not taken something with them to punch a hole in the roof.

It is going to be a frightening time for you, but if you plan well, you should be all right. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all.
 
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caprice

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Originally Posted by KittenKiya

Hurricane Rita has dropped to a Cat 4 with 150 mph winds. If you are going to stay, make sure you have some candles, some flashlights. You may want to put some dry food for your babies and something for yourselves in some ZipLock bags. Get some blankets together, and if it becomes necessary, use your mattress as a buffer. It may be safer for you to put your cats in carriers.

Fill your bathtubs and sinks with water. Even if you lose your roof, you should still have some fairly clean water to drink.

If you have to go higher up in your house to your attic, take a hachet with you. Many people in New Orleans got to their attics to get away from the flood, only to be trapped there because they had not taken something with them to punch a hole in the roof.

It is going to be a frightening time for you, but if you plan well, you should be all right. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all.
Thanks, think I've done all the preparing I can do. I just need sleep
 

jcat

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Great emergency management - tell people to evacuate, but don't ensure that enough gasoline is available for them to do so! I can only reiterate the advice already given. Make sure you have a lot of water - fill the tub, sinks, pots, vases, pitchers, etc.. Flashlights and a radio, plus plenty of batteries, are a must. Pets should be crated, if possible - not only will they feel safer in their little "cocoons", but the crates will protect them from debris to some extent, and also prevent them from running off in a panic. Put important documents (birth certificates, insurance policies, bank account info, etc.) and cash, credit or debit cards in (a) waterproof container(s). One lesson I believe a lot of people learned from Katrina was to have tools at hand - a hatchet, crowbar, saw, or whatever - just in case you find yourself trapped in the house with rising water levels, and need to exit through the roof.
Those of you who have to "weather" the hurricane, or who have friends or relatives that must do so, will be in my thoughts the next few days.
 

yoviher

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Folks, my suggestion is that if you are below 15 feet. above sea level, evacuate... A strong Cat 4-5 storm surge is nothing to joke about. Also, if you live near a river. The Galveston Seawall is 17 feet high, but it might get all the way to 28 feet. We have had only three hurricanes in record for the Atlantic Basin to have gone below 900 milibars, and thats Gilbert, Labor Day and Rita. The only hurricane to have had stronger sustained winds than this thing was San Felipe II which hit Puerto Rico in 1928 (It registered sutained winds of 200 miles per hour, just prior to the anemometer breaking). Even though its right now at 150 mph, anything that can reach 175 is something for you to sit in awe of.

This disaster could be far worse than Katrina... New Orleans was 1.2 million people, and the Mississippi/Alabama gulf coast is basically small beach towns. There's almost 5 million people in the Houston region.
 

gailc

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I read on cnn that gas trucks were being dispatched to assist those low on fuel but it didn't mention what city!!
 

babyharley

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I'm praying for everyone that is in the way of this storm...I can only imagine what you are all going through. I was reading on MSN.com that there are 14 hour traffic jams....oh I hope that everyone gets out safe, and for those who stay-can stay safe!! GOOD LUCK!!!

Good vibes out to everyone out there
 

snowleop

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Originally Posted by GailC

I read on cnn that gas trucks were being dispatched to assist those low on fuel but it didn't mention what city!!
Anybody know where she can get information? I really don't think you and your family should stay in Houston, caprice. A category 4 storm -- I mean, couldn't your house be leveled?
 

emb_78

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Originally Posted by SnowLeop

Anybody know where she can get information? I really don't think you and your family should stay in Houston, caprice. A category 4 storm -- I mean, couldn't your house be leveled?
Yes
 

yoviher

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Originally Posted by SnowLeop

Anybody know where she can get information? I really don't think you and your family should stay in Houston, caprice. A category 4 storm -- I mean, couldn't your house be leveled?
Assuming the house is made of wood, and close to the coast, yes.
 
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