Sunday, June 5, 2011
Trying To Decide What Is Best...!
As you may or may not know, the hurricane season has just started here on the Texas coast!
Now, here is where I have some personal questions. Just supposing that we get another storm that really affects the Houston area. There are two choices for most of the folks here in the city...evacuate or ride it out in place.
For me, I would just as soon ride it out in place. But I have my mother to consider. In her case, it probably would be best to move her further inland. Because she has a problem with her balance when walking on non-level surfaces, it wouldn't be the best idea for her to stay here just in case we had to wade out away from the house!
Also, she has COPD, so that's a concern as well. I could get by pretty good without power or running water, but I'm not so sure about her!
Now comes the problem with the pets. Not really a problem, because both my cat and hers seem to believe my house is the fun place to hang out. They don't care who feeds them, as long as they get fed!
I'm thinking that moving Mom out to her cousin's up around Austin and Georgetown would be best! Trouble is, her making the trip by herself is almost out of the question. She gets very tired when driving long distances, and if she has a flat there is just no way she could change it without help.
Of course I could drive her to Austin, then I would just drive back to Houston. Got to watch the home place and the animals. I don't trust the neighborhood enough to leave the places empty during a time when the vultures will be watching for empty houses. Good way to invite the thieves, that's for sure!
All this has been on my mind as of late. Need to make some decisions before the storms start showing up, know what I mean? Pros and cons for both choices, but I need to make up a workable plan here pretty quick, I think!
At least I think I have all the emergency supplies I need, but I'll end up checking them several more times before they are needed! After all, that's what I do best!
Coffee on the patio today! We can discuss what steps need to be taken, as I welcome all the input from my friends!
If it is a flood zone, evacuate.
ReplyDeleteIf not get a genny and stow fuel.
Mom won't get by on no power here because her insulin requires it. Hence we have a genny and all, but we do not flood.
Normally I wouldn´t have to think about things like that over here. Tornadoes or tromber as we call them are rare. But then yesterday several appeared in northern Sweden destroying big areas of forest and 15 000 homes lost electricity!!
ReplyDeleteNo one died but one got severely injured when a tree fell over him. Still these were nothing compared to what You can have. It´s tricky but I would most likely stay at home, going down to the cellar (bringing enough water and food of course) and cut of all electricity to the cottage. As long as You get Your mother safe.
But then I read that You live in a flood zone and that changes things.No one would benefit if You died in a flooding! So I think You should evacuate too!
Have a great day!
Christer.
No it doesn´t say You live in a flood zone :-) But if You do evacuate!
ReplyDeleteChrister.
You are right to worry about leaving the house vacant. In my city in NZ, devastated by the Feb earthquake, many residents have been allowed to enter their houses for the first time since only to find them completely looted.
ReplyDeleteAV
By all means make arrangments to get your Mother OUT!!! And do it early!! Contact the Red Cross or someone and see about transporting her to Higher ground, early BEFORE the storm hits. And you might seriously take a long hard look at your situation should you decide to say. I know your a big ole tough he-man, but you can't beat Mother Nature if she picks YOU to whup up on. You putting yourself in a deadly fight you can't win.
ReplyDeleteJust saying . Rather have you around after what ever does head your way and IF something comes near you.
Course you are welcome here in all honesty. Got room for ya and we'll let your and my cats figer out who is boss. :-)
The most dangerous thing about hurricanes is the water. Hydraulic pressure is unstoppable. You are too far inland to worry about storm surge, but you may have to worry about flooding. The second most dangerous thing is the tornadoes that a hurricane spawns. In Ike, it was the tornadoes that did most of the damage at my place, and I am way north of you.
ReplyDeleteI was going to ride it out (my son did), but I looked out and saw the motor-home sitting there and thought it was stupid to put both stick home and motor-home in danger. So, we headed for Austin and the State Park there. I am on oxygen at night, but the motor-home has its own generator.
Wow, Hermit, that's a conundrum. I have a soon-to-be 93 father to be concerned about. Knowing him as well as I do. He would NEVER leave. But, he's high on a ridge and no flooding worries. If the river gets that high, then we're all doomed. So, I think I'll stick around, but, if I were you, I'd have a BOB by the door with the cat carriers. By the way, I thought you lost your one cat, did he return?
ReplyDeleteMy Special One,
ReplyDeleteGet your Mom to her relatives. If you insist on going home then do so, But make sure you will be safe yourself. Couldn't stand to know something has happened to you because you stayed. I know our stuff means a lot to us but it is just stuff.
the fire here is very bad so we may have to leave soon. The smoke is awful. I figure grab the laptop, TV and a few thing and head off the mountian its just stuff.
Love ya
Hey Namenlos...
ReplyDeleteLuckily no medicine here that would need refridgeration.
I'm thinking that the best thing would be just to figure out a way to get her to the Austin area!
Still, a genny is on the "needed" list!
Thanks for coming by today!
Hey Christer...
The bad thing is that here on the coast, we don't have basements.
The worst thing to worry about is the flooding. We got a little from Ike, but you never know until 6the last minute what water is going to do!
I thank you for coming by today!
Hey AV...
It's a shame that in times of disasters, certain elements try and take advantage of the situation and steal.
With Mom living alone, that concerns e the most! Even though I am very close, I would want her out of harms way!
I appreciate the visit, my friend!
Hey Ben...
ReplyDeleteI certainly appreciate that offer and the suggestions, buddy!
I've always sort of trusted my instincts when it came to knowing what to do, but this is the first time I've been faced with having to worry about Mom. If her health were better, things might be different.
Smart thing is to get her out of here and then watch her place and mine.
May not happen, but I need to be pr4epared, ya know?
Thanks, buddy, for coming by today!
Hey DD...
We have been lucky in the past, with the water getting high but never in the houses.
Glad I won't have to get out in it if it does come. But then, that's why I keep a pick-up around.
Just trying to cover all the bases, ya know?
Thanks for dropping in today!
Hey Sharon...
I always keep a BOB handy, but I need to make another for Mom and keep it handy as well!
I used to have two cats, but ol' Smokey got lost, so I only have C.B. here now. Mom's cat has adopted me, though and spends a lot of time at my place.
Two cats need a lot of looking after when things get scary...they aren't as brave as they like to think!
I appreciate you coming by today!
Hey JoJo...
Right you are about it only being stuff, but I worry about the houses the most!
You know I wouldn't take any unnecessary chances, right?
You take care around that fire, sweetie! Don't want you to get burned, ya know?
I worry about you being so close to the fire area! You just keep us posted, OK?
Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!
Well one solution would be to get some of the kin in Austin area to come and get her as soon as possible when the time comes, and then you go and get her when it is all over. My sister rode out the one that hit Beaumont area, her hubby is in law enforcement and could not leave,she is in Jasper. Problem there was they could get out up until storm actually hit but couldn't get back afterward for a week or more. Bottom line don't get caught in Austin when they close the south bound roads. Or worse when the storm does it for them.
ReplyDeleteHey Bob...
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly a good option. Like you say, I need to do that before the real evacuation starts.
Getting back to the area is a real concern for those that leave...just ask the folks that left Galveston after Ike!
Guess I'll figure it all out soon enough!
Thanks for coming over today, my friend!
Hi, what's holding YOU there in that God forsaken place? lol. That place ur talking about around Georgetown is wonderful, and I can say that, cause I live here in Llano county.
ReplyDeleteBubba -
ReplyDeleteYou should know that I will help you take care of Mom and get her to safety. I'm a little hurt that you think you have to do this alone. Of course, we'll take her up if it comes to that. I may not be able to get away from my job, as we discussed the other day, but Hubby sure can! We'll manage, just let's talk about when....
hugs -