This one is for Texas --IKE

[mikim]

Don -- I really don't know -- but If I were to build in that area I think I know what builder I'd want to use. There were some high dollar houses on the west end of Galveston that are still standing ... damaged I'm sure --but they're all still there. Really surprising considering the wave that washed over 'em. BTW the fella in the office I was telling you about lives (lived) at 1500 block of N MacGregor ....he went home to survey the damage and hasn't come back to work yet...Boss told him to take however long he needs.

 

[mikim]

not sure if this will work or not but worth a shot.
1. download the free version of Google Earth
2. drag this file into the "places" box on the left
3. zoom into the galveston Island / Bolivar area
4. click on the box where you just dragged the file for an "after" shot
5. click on the box again for the 'before"
If you get it to work -- it's pretty dramatic

had to zip it -- unzip it first

 

[mikim]

If you got that to work and you see a bunch of yellow push pin graphics .... those are all search and rescue pickups. The fella that gave me the file said they had over 9300 people they evac'd at the last second ... some snatched right out of the water. My comment was "Wow...that's a lot ....of really stupid people." Turns out I was both right and wrong. Seems a lot were drunks having parties ...but some were older folks that had medical problems which created problems for them to evac via busses etc so they stayed too long hoping for the best. On TV they were interviewing a couple that survived huddled in their attic with 2 - 3 feet of head room. They rode the whole storm out in that attic with their house bouncing under them. they saw the water washing all their stuff out from under them- taking out doors and walls etc. But when they said that they had to swim out of Alicia ....they lost all sympathy from me. Had to swim out of 1 storm and didn't learn? .........OK you're stupid.

 

[mikim]

They say this is really bringing out the best and worst in people. I believe it. TV crew was interviewing a couple in a relief line on the island ...obviously sloshed...and were asked "how long are you going to try to stay?" (authorities would prefer folks leave until services are restored)...answer: "as long as they keep bringing us food and water we'll stay" (they were evidently well stocked with alcohol)
note to rescue workers: "please don't feed the drunks, it only encourages them to beg"..... guess some of this is bringing out the worst in me as well.....tolerance level is falling.

 

[dmccarty]

But when they said that they had to swim out of Alicia ....they lost all sympathy from me. Had to swim out of 1 storm and didn't learn? .........OK you're stupid.

Stupid seems kind....

I FINALLY found the kind of information I wanted to see. I subscribe to The Journal Of Light Construction. For awhile they were sending a sister publication called Coastal Connection which is about building on the coast. I get an email from time to time from Coastal Connection. Inside they had these two tidbits.

Today's email said that on Bolivar its estimate that 80% of the homes have been destroyed.

There might have been 400 people on Bolivar. Fewer than half have been officially accounted for by mid week.

The CC email links to a USA Today story which sound bogus to me but its about a builder who stayed on the island. Held on to rafters. A women who was with him and he refuses to name was washed away from him. Then the rescuers were breaking into builds and hotwiring stuff. Then they tried to take his truck. Something very iffy about the story.

Some of the photos show concrete pads around the pilings on the houses. The house is gone but the pilings are still in place. I think the concrete was to help prevent the piling from being pulled from the sand and to keep wave action from scouring away the soil. Seems like it worked. But the pilings were not high enough to keep the house structure above the surge.

The houses that are still standing have to be above the surge level. And I would guess built to better standards. The roofs, windows and doors look to be in good shape. But then again it was only a Cat 2 storm so the wind was not too bad.

Later,
Dan

 

[MossRoad]

not sure if this will work or not but worth a shot.
1. download the free version of Google Earth
2. drag this file into the "places" box on the left
3. zoom into the galveston Island / Bolivar area
4. click on the box where you just dragged the file for an "after" shot
5. click on the box again for the 'before"
If you get it to work -- it's pretty dramatic

had to zip it -- unzip it first

WOW! I downloaded it and dragged it over. Very amazing how fast that was put together. Man, everything is gone!!!

 

[redneckford]

ain't nobody waiting tables, mowing grass or teaching school able to afford a house like that!!!! Guess they will just have to drive in from DALLAS!!!!Daily?

 

[firedog]

Yeah, but how long was life expectancy then?

True enough, and by no means am I suggesting we should back to that kind of hardships, however, I believe we should be prepared for disasters such as this and at least be able to survive a few weeks.

After Rita I made preparations, and now I'll make some more.

 

[Bird]

I believe we should be prepared for disasters such as this and at least be able to survive a few weeks.

I agree, but I can certainly at least understand those who do not have the ability to do so.

 

[redneckford]

I agree, but I can certainly at least understand those who do not have the ability to do so.

Thanks Bird----We all do not have a 401k and a three car garage----some of us live pay check to pay check cause someone choose's to buy China Products!!!!and hire undocumented workers!!!!for less than half price!!!! no politics just facts!!!! It is heck to be poor just hope you don't get sick in America cause you will not have money to evacuate either!!!! If you will notice it is the sick and the old Folks that do not evacuate/// It is not because they are stupid----They are proud---They are too proud to ask for help---They are too poor to leave and that is just the honest fact---they will not admit it but if you study the "Facts" you will find that is the true reason that they stayed---Cause they are to proud to beg!!!!