It doesn't work...

So, no matter how many times I refresh the page where people are posting which addresses have power, it doesn't seem to incite MY address to pop up there. Bummer.

Stir-craziness is setting in. I can't focus to read, or do some random things I have to do.

I went out to lunch today with two of my friends from college, Jeff and Lasse. Jeff was my deputy on the satellite program I worked on and Lasse was the prop lead. It was fun catching up with them (they are both phD students at A&M). Then I met up with Heather and the kids (Eric is down in Alvin making repairs and cleaning up the fallen trees) and we hung out for a bit at the mall, letting the kids play on the little indoor playground. It was nice to yet again get out and about and not OCD about the silly power website. :)

Verizon rocks

So, since evacuating on Wednesday, I have sent/received just about 600 text messages (I know, that's crazy!) Well, my limit is 250...can you say holy high bill Batman? Yeah, that's what I was thinking. So I called Verizon today (at the advice of my mom) and explained the situation. They retroactively upped my plan so I only have to pay the difference of the two plans (which is $10!) for this billing cycle! So nice!

Grin

So very minor roof leak at my place...and that's it!!!! Yay!!! There are trees down EVERYWHERE (the view from my balcony looks very different now). My part of the bay must have been protected from the worst, because about a half a mile down the shoreline, there are a few apartment complexes that got smashed...there are boats sitting in between the rows of apartments! I took pics of the fallen trees and such, but not like that is anything new. The pictures of the boats on the road and stuff, well, there were a lot of people around who live in that area and I just felt bad taking pictures of their misfortune, so you'll just have to picture the scene in your head. No power or water though, so I'll be here for a little bit. I may move back down to Houston once friends in the area get power back, so at least I can be closer...but from the reports of my friends, God was very merciful. It could have been sooo much worse.

Permission!

So, the city of Seabrook website: http://www.ci.seabrook.tx.us/ is allowing those west of 146 (me) to head in...however, there is a report posted on one of the news stations that our sewer system is totally gone, so we can't come back...wow, conflicting info. Very helpful. Since I am ever the optimist, I think I am going to stop by the grocery store here in CS, stock up on water and dry goods and head down this morning, just to check things out. I'll drop off the supplies if I can and then figure out what I need to do from there. I've been told that JSC won't open until at least Thursday and I have nothing better to do with my time than stare at cows :) ...the drive (its only 2 hours and I can do it on less than a tank of gas...meaning I can re-fill in CS) will be welcomed. Standby for pics from my excursion!

Still no news...sigh

A friend of mine headed back into Clear Lake today and tried to go to my apartment to see what the damage was. Officials aren't letting anyone into Seabrook at this time, so I will continue to wait patiently. Here's a picture of some of the debris near my place. My apartment is just off on the left hand side of this picture (on the shore).

Start of the aftermath

Still trying to find out about the damage in my area. A friend saw my apartment complex on TV and said it looked okay, structurally,- so that's reassuring...very glad that I am on the second floor since that area was underwater... it looks like the road (146) that goes by Kemah is completely covered with debris (lumber, boats, etc). I didn't recognize Kemah bridge...I think some of the houses around there might be gone...maybe it was just the camera angle...

Right now we are getting some winds and a lot of rain here in College Station. A tree fell down out front (just missing the power lines!- so we still have power and internet...cozy in the house :) ).

I got a report that a tornado hit in Pearland, and sounds like it damaged/destroyed? one of my girls's house...I'm hoping it just ends up being damaged. But they are safe, thank God. Pray for the McDuffie family.

"Something wicked this way comes..."

So can I just say that I am very glad that I left Houston? Currently the eye of the storm is predicted to pass just to west of where I live...Here's a predict of the storm surge, don't know how much living on the second floor will help with a 20 foot surge (I live in the brown area)...lovely:

On a brighter note, I think I am going to go get a run in right now and then Angie and I are going to go shopping and see the latest Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants movies...Texas A&M is closed for today so she doesn't have to work! Yay!