Friday, September 12, 2008

Hurricane

Dude, this hurricane stuff is serious.  I've been reading about it and hearing what the NOAA and state people are saying and it looks quite ominous.  I've been exploring the layout of Galveston, TX, in Google Maps (search for this [http://mw1.google.com/mw-weather/tropical/kml/all_hurricanes.kmz] in Google Maps or Google Earth) and looked at some of the houses, etc.  They're saying that 40 percent of Galveston didn't evacuate, and now it's too late.  With an expected storm surge of over 20 feet with the possibility of 50 foot waves, it seems obvious that people will die.  This will be very intriguing -- yet sad -- to watch how it all unfolds.

The blue line in this graphic shows the expected path of Ike.  Galveston isn't a very big area (spatially or population) and it's not a place I'd like to be with a storm like this bearing down.

8 comments:

Mike and Adrianne said...

I agree. I have been reading articles about it and one man that didn't evacuate said that he belived in God and that God would save him. I really have a hard time with that kind of thinking. In my opionion God would save him if he listened and evacuated. I'm not saying he will die but it would be sad if he did because he believed he didn't have to be wise and protect himself because God would just save him. It is really sad to me and makes me so angry. I hope everything turns out ok.

Papa Doc said...

I for one do not understand exactly why people live in such places. I remember once when I was a kid that Galveston got hit and almost ruined. And now again. Also, why am I supposed to be strapped (in taxes) by the expence of fixing a place like New Orleans? It is below sea level and should not even be a place with people in it on the map. If you want to live in such a place then don't whine when it gets periodically ruined. A bad storm is one thing, but trying to take one when you live below sea level is just stupid.

Dad Clark

Jess and Jen said...

Yes, but when Utah gets the "big one" (earthquake) and all our infrastructure is ruined and your house crumbles, I'm pretty sure we'll all be pleading for federal assistance. The same holds true for people who live in tornado alley, hurricane coasts, earthquake zones, flood plains, wildfire zones, etc. There are few places exempt from Mother Nature's wrath.

The 20 foot surge didn't come. I read it was 7 feet. That's good it wasn't as bad as expected.

Mike and Adrianne said...

Yeah, but here's the deal. If you choose to live in a place like New Orleans then you should also be responsible for your insurance. We pay one of the highest home owners insurance in the country because we choose to live here (well, we choose to be in the Air Force that sends us here). You know, that is our choice and we are willing to pay it. It annoys me when people live somewhere and then don't be responsible and blame everyone that they aren't being taken care of. Also, being hit by a hurricane is much different than an earthquake or even a tornado. Hurricanes are predictable. They may vere off to one side after being predicted to hit one place or they might die down or get worse before it hits but you know it will come and you know about when it will come. So when you are told to leave, why not do it? Is there really any sense in staying. We can be warned of a tornado and we get in our shelter. But tornados are very unpredictable as are earthquakes.

Mike and Adrianne said...

2005 Oklahoma was the third most expensive--hail, ice storms, tornados, and floods. Great place to live!!

Jason said...

I find it interesting, Dad, that you say N.O. shouldn't be on the map. Not that I disagree with you but using the same logic, cities like L.A., Phoenix, and Las Vegas shouldn't exist either. All three of those cities have to import the majority of their water at the expense of those that do have it. Perhaps they should not be on the map? More lives have been lost over water in the west than over gold.

Jess and Jen said...

I'm not against any of those cities being gone! Nothing endearing about any of 'em.

I was thinking about the lack of evacuations, especially in Galveston, TX. I'm thinking, "Why the heck wouldn't you get the heck out of dodge?" But then as I was watching the news, a reporter asked someone who stayed that very question. They said "It's easier said than done. It really is."

I was thinking about that and realized that it probably is. Where do they go? What if they don't have family they can go to? What if they don't have gas money to get them anywhere? What if they can't afford a hotel after they evacuate? What if their cars aren't reliable? I guess it's not quite as cut and dry as I'd like to think it to be. -Jess

Jess and Jen said...

Jess, you'd just be happy if there were no Dodgers or Diamondbacks for the Giants to compete with!

Jen