Hurricane Ike Devastation

Posted by Kelly Smith Sep 19, 2008

I rode out hurricane Ike last weekend, and let me tell you, what an experience! This was my 10-year old daughter's first hurricane experience, so I was able to look at it through a new pair of eyes.

Big storms are nothing new to me, having been through about five hurricanes here in south Texas, dozens of tropical storms in Panama, and two typhoons in Okinawa, Japan.

Disaster Preparation is Key

It's not always wise to decline the government's subtle nudging about evacuating, but I live halfway between Galveston and Houston, Texas. There's a total of one North-South freeway and millions of people. 'Nuff said.

It's critical to lay in an ample supply of drinking water and canned goods. You're going to lose power - deal with it. If you've got expendible income, an emergency backup generator is an icredible luxury.

Put Together a Disaster Emergency Kit

You never know when emergency medical supplies are going to come in handy. As Ike hammered my house with 100 MPH gusts, I had to go outside twice to secure wood over my not so energy-efficient contractor grade windows.

As I listened to the corregated steel roofing on my shed clattering like the teeth in a feverish patient's head, I had these visions of decapitation. But hey, life's an adventure, right?

Massive Storm Surge

I knew there was a 20 to 25 foot storm surge predicted in Galveston, 30 miles away, but what would it bring me? In the end, nothing. Furious wind, but little water. Good thing too; I was not happy anticipating extensive drywall repair, rather than writing DIY articles for you.

Galveston flooded and Houston as well, but I was high and dry.