Friday, September 19, 2008

Run-in with Ike

preparations
You think they knew a hurricane was coming!? No way, they spent the evening exerting lots of energy per usual.
And they thought it was WAY cool to use their batman and princess flashlights ALL NIGHT!
oh, and sleep in the closet too.
I have to laugh at these pictures I took around 1am, when I thought the winds were kicking up. I was getting excited...HA! NOTHING compared to the winds at 4 am - 6 am...sheesh! I didn't even leave my hallway during that time for fear my windows were going to blow in, truly, I was scared! So there are no pictures of serious hurricane winds!
Of course, no hurricane could stop our enthusiasm for breakfast! Its amazing how good hot food tastes when there is no electricity! :)
Our apartment grounds were littered with shingles, trees, branches, metal roofing pieces, fencing, and all sorts of other debris.
Trees took a major beating, that is, if they were even standing when it was over.

A building in our complex. Luckily, our particular building did not experience THIS much roof damage. These poor people had tons of water damage.
These next few photos are businesses that are within walking distance from our home. Damage and flooding.
And remember THIS little tree outside my bedroom window?...
she didn't fare too well.

I'm going to admit it. I wasn't nervous in the least about hurricane Ike. I figured that growing up in Missouri with severe storms and the chance for tornadoes, had prepared me for anything a hurricane could do (at least do to someone living 50 miles inland). I guess I likened people's hysteria to my experience living in other states when a "thunderstorm" would roll in... and people would talk about it for days. I'd turn my head to snicker thinking, "pah-leese, it's not a thunderstorm unless the thunder actually KNOCKS pictures off your wall, and having random trampolines and swing sets show up in your yard is just a part of a spring shower!" So...I'm a bit humbled. And while I still consider large tornadoes to be supremely frightening with their unpredictability and 200-300 mph winds, I've learned that hurricanes have some things going for them too. For instance the sheer SIZE of Ike was incredible, and the length of time that the violent winds blew was amazing as well. And honestly, I think I'm good now. I don't need another hurricane experience...
It's been a long week. But we are so lucky to have power. Only 40% of people in the 4th largest city have power. I'm sure the national news is mostly done covering the hurricane, but living here is another story. I am so intrigued by all this hurricane clean up and aftermath. Just the other day I went to pick up some groceries from a nearby store that had reopened. It was 7:20pm, I walked into the store (past the guards they hired to keep the peace) and there were no more shopping carts. I walked back out to get one from the parking lot, and as I approached, 15 ft from the doors, they closed them and said they were done selling groceries for the day. shoot. Also, did you know the roofers begin their day at 5am? Its actually not too difficult to sleep when you get used to the hum of generators and the pop pop of roofing guns...just minor annoyances. The memories I will take from this storm are pretty cool. It was so crazy to drive around that first night after the hurricane and see NO lights...anywhere. weird. And what about the mile long line for the ONE McDonald's drive thru that had reopened...crazy. I am looking forward to the lifted curfew, no more gas lines, working stop lights and just "normalcy" in general...but until then, I have to say, I am impressed with Texas. I don't know how long we will call this state home, but I think I've "bonded" with the idea of being a Texan through this crisis. Lots and lots of good people live here!


21 comments:

Zach 'n' Jack said...

WOW. I am so glad you are ok!! What an experience. I have to say, I don't envy you in the least. I would love to stay as far away from natural disasters as I possibly can. I'm glad you live by good people and can share the love of Heavenly Father through serving each other as you clean up the messes left behind. We love you and are so glad you are ok!!

K2 said...

I've been thinking of you guys and hoping you would post so I would know you were Ok. So glad you are! Loves you!

Stacy F said...

Hey! I had been thinking about you guys! Good to hear you all made it through okay and survived Ike :)

Lisa said...

I've been waiting for this post to hear of your experiences. It sounds crazy. Glad you made it through with minimal damages. I can only imagine the rain- we got tons of rain in KC as the side effect!

Nicole said...

wow, those pictures, just wow... i can't imagine that night for you guys. i'd probably be excited for it too, then scared to death with the horrible winds... i'm glad you guys are safe and sound. i'm glad you were prepared too, the idea of food running low and grocery stores closing freaks me out!

Miss Sarah in Georgia said...

I, too, am very glad y'all are safe. Thanks for the pictures to help us see a glimpse into the experience.

Blake and Yanery said...

I am so glad to hear you doing well. I have been wondering how you were. Isn't it funny how we are tested and it makes us grow. We are so blessed to have the gospel and great family through these tough times.

Christy said...

glad you guys made it through and have power!

Will & Amy said...

I bet the kids thought that was an awesome adventure! I am glad that you didn't have too much damage around your place! I have been wondering. The pics are great!

Erin S said...

PHEWWW!!! So glad you guys are okay and YAY for power!!! I was so worried about you guys all week so I'm glad to hear that you made it through okay. You totally made me smile, I think you are the only person that could be excited about making breakfast with no electricity!!

Rapp Family said...

Crazy!! Thanks for posting the pictures and I'm so glad that you are safe. It does sound so scary. It's amazing to see how easily mother nature can shut down our civilization. Best of luck with the clean-up and I'm glad you don't own any property that you have to fix yourself =)

dixonfamily said...

I am so glad that you guys are okay and that you haven't had to go without electricity or other essentials for too long! I was hoping that you guys would just come on up to our house, but I am so glad that things didn't get bad enough to make you leave your home. Awesome pictures!! I bet it was quite an experience. I think Jeff was wishing that we had been a little closer to the action. He has your affinity for intense weather. Anyway, glad all is well!!

Tiff and Dave said...

Tara! I'm so glad that you guys are ok! What a crazy ride!! You've definitely had your fair share of natural disasters! I'm glad your kids were enjoying themselves and not too freaked out. I'm glad you guys have your power back. I've been thinking of you guys and I'm so glad you're ok!

Loni Stevens said...

I have been thinking about you all week & checking back often to see if you guys are alright! Glad you guys faired well.

I think you were well prepared for a Hurricane growing up with the crazy storms and weather in KC, lol. NO JOKE. They use to SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME! I remember our townhouse shaking to where I thought it was going to crumble from the thunder & rain. YIKES.

Whit said...

Wow what an experience! I've been thinking about you as I hear news about Ike! I was wondering when you were going to get pictures up, dangit! haha, I'm glad you guys are safe and sound! Sounds like quite the ride. Don't you miss those KC thunderstorms though???

Isaura said...

i'm glad you guys are safe and am happy you have power. i'm hoping to get some soon. will you karma some my way?? ;)

Maria said...

Wow I'm glad you guys made it ok. Isn't it crazy we live in places that get hit with these huge hurricanes?? Our little scare a few weeks ago with Hanna made me build up our 72 hour kits real quick! I hope everything gets back to normal REAL SOON!

Sean and Janet Eyring said...

I was wondering how you guys would fare. Glad to hear that all is well, and nothing major is broken, cracked, leaking, flooding, missing or presumed dead. Our cousins in Galveston haven't been able to get back and see if they have anything left. Count your blessings!

Court and Britt said...

We are SO happy to hear that you guys are ok. What a scary experience! So glad to hear that you didn't have any significant damage either!!

*K*R*I*S*T*Y* said...

I'm so delayed I know, but I'm so glad to hear you are ok!I texted you with no reply and I was worried!I agree, there are some really nice people in Texas.What crazy stories and pictures, I couldn't even imagine. You kept your cool pretty well though!Muwah!

Missy said...

This is CRAZY Tara. I had no idea that it was this bad for someone so close to me!

Makes me want to get my food storage supply up and running ASAP.