Surviving "Hurricane IKE"!

Our House



We've lived in Texas 20 years this year. Been through some storms that were associated with tropical storms or hurricanes, but this was the "BIG ONE". I've heard stories of Alishia and seen the results of HUGO in the Virgin Islands, but this is the first "BIG" one I've experienced first hand.



Dad checking the rain gauge

We always get ready everytime they say one is coming. Take in the lawn furiture, flower pots, garbage cans, and even several times we've boarded up windows. Kept the cars filled with gas. Got out the candles, and bought extra non-perishable food. Then you wait and put everything back out again. During Allison, 3 years ago, we even bought a generator. But not one was really too bad. Some wind and some rain, a few fences down in our area.




Our deck during Ike

BUT IKE WAS THE REAL ONE AND IT HIT! As we waited, it felt like I was watching a boring movie that would never get to the climax. Once it started I thought it would never ever end. And a week later, we are still without power and there is still lots of work to do with 11 houses.





The wind began to blow and the lights went out about 2:30 am Saturday morning. We tried to look out the windows but could not see much because it was so dark. The rain came down sideways. The rain and wind started by hitting on one side of the house and by the end of the day Saturday it had made a full circle. We knew exactly when the eye of the storm was over our house. It was quiet for about 90 minutes. We receive about 16 inches of rain at our house, but no flooding. The screened in deck area lost all the screens. It can be easily repaired.


Couple streets up from our house


Sunday we decided to go check out the neighborhood. We were amazed just about 6 blocks from our house...trees down, fences down, trees in the middle of houses, broken power lines and branches everywhere. We ventured out and checked several of our rental houses. A tree fell on one house, a tree fell on a neighbors house, several fences down, roof damage to a couple houses. We really were blessed by the Lord, it could have been so much worse.





Across the street from one of our rentals

Have you ever had the light go out for a few hours? You don't really understand your power being out until you begin to spend days without power. We have a generator, PRAISE THE LORD, which keeps the food cold, gives us one lamp at night, and sometimes even a few minutes of watching the news on the little T.V. After a week without electricity I still walk into the closet or bathroom and try to flip on the light. Guess what-nothing happens. Power finally came back 12 days after it went dark. I had left 2 days earlier to go to Ohio to take care of Grandpa Newell after surgery. Dad called Wednesday night saying the light finally came on.


Common scenes driving around

We also have gas in our house, PRAISE THE LORD, so strick a match and we can cook on the stove. That meant hot showers too! There were no restaurants, or grocery stores opened (they didn't have power either) for several days. Some are now open as they get electric and supplies delivered. But we have not wandered out much in the evenings because it is so dangerous without street lights and few traffic lights. A couple days ago I remembered I have a camp coffee pot and made some great tasting coffee. We've grilled chicken, steak, and hamburgers. Fried potatoes, cooked canned vegetables, rice and beans. Pretty good eating really! I made potato salad and chocolate cookies Friday while waiting for the storm to come. When grocery stores opened people had to line up outside and only a few were allowed in at a time. Now the shelves were not full. In fact, no meat, no dairy, no fresh veggies or fruit. Mostly just canned and boxed good. Ice was also impossible to find for those not fortunate enough to have a generator or able to find a generator to purchase.

Gas for the generator and vehicles has been a challenge. Gas stations didn't have power and then when a few got power they didn't have fuel. As power came on and gas began to be trucked in there were huge lines. Most stations blocked entrances and had security allow only one vehicle at a pump at a time. My neighbor waited 3 1/2 hours one day for gas. Some sat at stations all night long after seeing the lights come on just waiting for the station to get gas. Albert went back to work Monday morning, even though the hospital still had no power. They were running on limited geneator power. He worked in the operating room area testing equipment for hours to be sure everything was working before they began having surgeries.

One of our rentals was hit by a tree












Living without power makes things different...

Be sure your know where the flashlight is before blowing our the last candle

The dishwasher makes a great drying rack

You can bake pizza on the outside gas grill

If you go to work before the sun comes up, pick your clothes out the day before in the light

I spent more money this week on fueling the generator than the car

Candles are used for light, not just romantic dinners

Know where your matches are before it gets dark

Without power you have the windows opened 24/7 even if you have allergies

If your clothes aren't dirty or stinky, wear then a second day

Lovebugs don't die in hurricanes, they multiply

Lovebugs can squeeze through the edge of screens (they are everywhere)

Even if you don't have trees here will be 10 bags of leaves and branches to rake

No internet unless you have an air-card like I do!

Solar lights make great night lights in the house

Got to use my washing machine, but had to hang out clothes to dry

Beautiful Sunset following Ike