Just heard from my husband, who is currently in Houston (Port of Houston), that Rita has the potential to hit the area. Galveston will begin voluntary evacuations tomorrow.

He has a weeks worth of business to take care of and only plans to move north, if necessary.

I'm counting on you guys to keep me posted so that I can be sure he won't out stay his welcome, if you know what I mean.

I know that Houston can experience some heavy flooding - I don't want him to get stuck. Thanks.

Hi, seetheworld.

When I read your title I thought you were going to ask about my favorite drink. It's proper name is Margarita, but here in Texas we call them 'ritas.

In all seriousness, we Texans are keeping an eye on Rita. It is true that Houston gets heavy flooding, but unlike NO, the water will drain off. If he needs to evacuate, send him my way and I'll play tour guide for Austin. I still have your e-mail address at my office. If you don't have mine, then post to this thread and I'll drop you a line first thing tomorrow. If he does come to Austin this weekend, he can help me celebrate my birthday on Saturday night.

P.S. I didn't mean you should post your e-mail address to this thread, I meant post me a note and I'll send you my e-mail address, since I have yours. Let's hope for the best.

Lets hope for the best, oh yes! It makes me cringe to read about another hurricane. I pray that everyone will be alright. And best wishes to you seetheworld and your husband of course.

Hi P_M! Happy Birthday to you

I still have your email address.

He's being very stubborn, especially since he has so much work to do - he will be visiting your fine state several times over the next three months and doesn't want to waste any time, arrrrrgh! He'll leave if he has to, but I don't want him to wait until the last possible moment.

How about I come and visit you instead - I'm much more fun when it comes to drinking margaritas

It's a deal. It will be girl's night out!!

I too hate the thought of another hurricane. I can't help but wish it would miss Texas, but above all I hope it will miss NO. But it has to hit somehwhere, so the best we can hope for is that it will slow it's winds and not be too destructive when it makes landfall.

I heard on the evening news that Austin could get significant rainfall from Rita. Thankfully my house is on high ground, but Austin has been known to flood in some areas. If this happens, we might be spending Saturday night at home.

Oh yes, LoveItaly, it gives a sick feeling to ones' stomach just thinking about another hurricane.

Think of all the thousands of evacuees from NO that are in Houston right now. Talk about reliving a nightmare.

Yes, Jocelyn. My husband did mention that the evacuees who were brought to the Astrodome now must find other accomodations. I don't know how accurate that is, but I can't imagine how they must be feeling at the prospect of another hurricane. Sad.

Just as I was editing my last post, my cell phone rang and it was my father from Houston, calling to talk about Rita. He says everyone there is quite worried and if Houston does catch the brunt of this storm, the dollar value of the property damage could be even worse than Katrina. I don't want to believe this, but I can see how it's possible. Once again, let's join together and hope for the best.

PM, I don't even know what to say.

Let's hope for the best.

stw, now I feel bad. I hope I didn't make this worse by scaring you. Let me try to give you some reassurance, speaking as one who went though another Houston hurricane. I was in Houston in 1983 when Hurricane Alicia hit. Once the Hurricane Center declared that Houston would be the primary target of Alicia, the city of Houston completely shut down. All the schools, businesses, everything except hospitals and emergency services. If that should happen with Rita, there will be another major shutdown, especially along coastal areas. Therefore he will have no reason to stay because he can't do his work anyway. If the power should go out, he could get even further behind in his work by not evacuating. I hope you will pass that along to him.

Thanks. I will pass on your information to him. PM, I'm sending you an email. I will not have internet access until tomorrow evening but will give you a way to reach me (if the need should arise). When my husband is on site, he can't always call me. If things should take a turn, call me. Thanks.

He "only plans to move north, if necessary"?

Have you learned nothing from Katrina? So very many did not heed the warnings! Whereupon, by then, it was way too late!

You know, no matter what the percentage chance of rain (20, 80...), it may rain or it may not. And, whether or not you have your umbrella along is totally irrelevant.

The path/strength of a hurricaine is not totally predictable.

The only way to not get "stuck" is to not be there.

I guess everyone seriously needs to figure out for themselves when "business to take care of" is simply not one's top priority, unless, of course, it is.

Your point is well taken, djk. He has no intention of riding out any storm. He just flew a team down there and is responsible for their well-being. When should he leave? Tonight? Tomorrow? He'll move north when he has to and fly out from wherever he ends up, I suppose.

I don't know what the umbrella comment means, but you don't need a hurricane in Houston to experience severe flooding, that's for sure.

seetheworld, I am so sorry your husband is not at home with you. I too just read that Galveston will have voluntary evacuations. How much more can our dear country take?

My prayers to everyone that has any concerns or fears at all. May all loved ones be safe.

Just thought I'd share my 2 cents on weather reporting in Houston. In cases of serious weather, I prefer the reports on CBS. Dr. Neil Frank is the tops in my book.

Also, if hotels are needed, I saw a report that most things via 59N are sold out due to the proximity of Louisiana. Dallas and San Antonio still have hotels available.

I think most of us in the US have learned our lesson by now, sad to say..and I think everyone is much smarter and more wary of these storms now.
There is a big difference in being there on business and living there and not wanting to leave your home and belongings.
I feel sure that Mr Seetheworld has the sense to get home if things get really scary.

Yes, Mr. STW has good common sense. He has a plan, so does the facility that he is at. He is not an alarmist (that would be me), but will leave when it is necessary to do so. But he also dosen't want to get "stuck" at the airport after giving up his rental car. Thanks for the info moldy, that is helpful. He's considering moving to Austin or Dallas.

http://www.wunderground.com/tropical...518_model.html
Here are the various model predictions--which have it going in a more westerly direction than yesterday.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ this page has more official info. Scroll down for Rita