WE HAVE POWER!
It's not totally stable, but it has been mostly on for the last 45 minutes. Based on the news reports we've been getting, we can consider ourselves fortunate.
We finally figured out that the voice channels on the wireless networks must be jammed (wonder why? haha), but we can still get text messages going. The Verizon Wireless aircard is also pulling a connection.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Ike Day: 11:30 a.m.
We ventured outside for the first time to let the dog take care of business and to check on the neighbors. Everyone we talked to seems to be OK. We have AT&T and T-Mobile cell phones that are unable to lock onto the network. In a moment, I'll turn on the office laptop and see if I can still connect using the Verizon Wireless aircard. (Unfortunately, the battery life on that ThinkPad isn't very good.) Landlines are still OK, so we can still make and receive calls through those numbers. DSL, of course, only works while I'm drawing juice from the backup battery. (Thank you APC!)
We still have water pressure and natural gas, so we can cook. Hurray!
The curfew in Fort Bend County has been extended to 2 p.m. I still see folks driving the streets. After 2:00 I might hop on my bike and do a more extended survey of the neighborhood. On this street, there are numerous small branches down and some wood fences blown down. The pavement is covered in "street salad." Rain is still falling. Gusts are strong enough to invert umbrellas.
We still have water pressure and natural gas, so we can cook. Hurray!
The curfew in Fort Bend County has been extended to 2 p.m. I still see folks driving the streets. After 2:00 I might hop on my bike and do a more extended survey of the neighborhood. On this street, there are numerous small branches down and some wood fences blown down. The pavement is covered in "street salad." Rain is still falling. Gusts are strong enough to invert umbrellas.
Ike Day: 8:30 a.m.
The storm has definitely receded and the winds are now merely gusty. Now it's just like any heavy rainmaker. We thankfully have the benefit of daylight now, and I don't see any trees down. Lots of fruit, small branches, and green leaves are scattered everywhere, as if a messy mob was in a big hurry to mix up a summer salad.
There's no power still, of course. The DSL line is still active, but that's only good as long as the modem draws juice from the UPS, and there's a charge in the laptop batteries. We're getting phone calls from people checking on us. We're A-OK.
I shudder at what authorities might find when they go out and survey Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island this morning.
There's no power still, of course. The DSL line is still active, but that's only good as long as the modem draws juice from the UPS, and there's a charge in the laptop batteries. We're getting phone calls from people checking on us. We're A-OK.
I shudder at what authorities might find when they go out and survey Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island this morning.
Ike Strikes: 5:15 a.m.
It's here. It's awesome. It's kind of scary.
The silhouettes of the treetops are as frenzied as fans at any playoff game you can imagine. Winds can be heard swirling from everywhere, massaging the walls. Everything and everyone inside is safe, though.
I am entering this via the Verizon Wireless network. Electricity was lost here around 11:00 PM as I was trying to get some sleep, and I could hear the rain start shortly thereafter as I drifted off. Landline still has dialtone. I'm going to try to tune into the radio to get some updates now.
Across the street, one light alone is lit, as if in defiance to the maelstrom. I guess the neighbors have the generator humming.
The silhouettes of the treetops are as frenzied as fans at any playoff game you can imagine. Winds can be heard swirling from everywhere, massaging the walls. Everything and everyone inside is safe, though.
I am entering this via the Verizon Wireless network. Electricity was lost here around 11:00 PM as I was trying to get some sleep, and I could hear the rain start shortly thereafter as I drifted off. Landline still has dialtone. I'm going to try to tune into the radio to get some updates now.
Across the street, one light alone is lit, as if in defiance to the maelstrom. I guess the neighbors have the generator humming.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Ike Eve: 10:30 p.m.
I'm taking a break from blogging to get some sleep. There's not anything else I can really do if I stay up than worry. Let's hope that I'm still connected when I wake up. As of right now, there is still only wind gusts here and no rain yet. The nasty stuff is supposed to be rolling through between midnight and noon.
On another note, Jon Walk advises that the trails at Memorial Park are now closed. Well, there goes my plans for running during a hurricane!
To everyone following these posts, I appreciate your concern!
On another note, Jon Walk advises that the trails at Memorial Park are now closed. Well, there goes my plans for running during a hurricane!
To everyone following these posts, I appreciate your concern!
Ike Eve: 9:30 p.m.
Power and DSL are still on here and dinner was cooked normally. It seems like such a trivial thing for which to be thankful, but I am.
Ike Eve: 8 p.m.
- It's now dark and the curfew is in effect.
- Wind gusts remain the same.
- No rainfall seen yet.
- Heather Saucier is being interviewed on TV in her capacity as a spokesperson for Harris County Flood Control. It still feels weird to see people I went to school with in positions of important responsibility. I feel that says more about me than her, by the way.
- It just occurred to me that they're going to need a lot of volunteers to help in the aftermath of this storm.
Ike Eve: 6:45 p.m.
- We've just experienced our first momentary loss of power. I'm back online for now.
- Wind gusts are now in gale force territory here.
Ike Eve: 6 p.m.
I might have been too hasty in praising the smoothness of the evacuation of low-lying areas. ABC13 passed along an estimate that says that 40% of Galveston residents are still on the island. That situation could get ugly.- We're anticipating hurricane force winds here in Fort Bend County. I'm treating it as a tornado situation and will set up supplies in an interior bathroom just in case.
- My eating has been pretty good lately. The possible need to depend on non-perishible items has opened the door to junk foods I typically I don't indulge in.
- Wind gusts are picking up.
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