My .02 - don't give up the rental car until you are SURE the plane is going to take off. I almost got stranded in Jackson, MS as a tropical depression made it's way in. I kept the car - and ended up driving all the way home.

In fact, I'd count on the car more than the plane. I would probably just plan to drive home.

Now I'm getting concerned, our son lives in Houston.

Seetheworld: 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.

No, what DO you mean??? You are counting on US to keep you posted about a hurricane so you can keep hubby's head above water??? I think you need to rely on others less and yourself more.

Why doesn't he just leave? Like someone else said, leaving your home is one thing, but leaving a week's worth of business is another.

Not to sound completely self centered, but we have tickets to see Coldplay sat. in The Woodlands. I know that the Woodlands is more inland, but I still wonder if there is a direct hit, if it would be safe to go because of rain and possible flooding as well as everyone trying to get out of town. The Woodlands Pavillion always says that shows go on rain or shine, but a potential hurricane?

I just looked at the predictions and path Hurricane Rita is expected to take and it may well develop to a VERY BAD Hurricane. It is expected to develop to AT LEAST A CAT 3 STORM. That means severe damage and flooding.

I am sure hoping for the best, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, PRAYING that those involved are PREPARING FOR THE WORST. I sure hope some lessons were learned through Hurricane Katrina.

ilovetulips,

My cousin lives in The Woodlands. I emailed her last night to ask her what their plans are, as I'm sure they're following the local news very carefully. I'll let you know when I hear from her.

I can't believe this is happening again. :(

Thanks Jocelyn. I remembered kprc's website since I used to live in Spring, so I am going to check their site as well as our local Austin news.

That's exactly what I was thinking Jocelyn... Mother Nature is cruel sometimes, and I just cannot imagine how hard it must be for all the victims of Katrina, especially the children, to be worried that this nightmare may be on it's way again.

My sweet STW ~ We'll be thinking of you and Mr. STW. I know he won't stay too long. We're here for you, doll.

((C)) Tiff

> BREAKING NEWS Hurricane Rita now a Category 2 hurricane with top sustained winds of 100 mph, according to National Hurricane Center. Details soon. CNN

"He just flew a team down there and is responsible for their well-being"

This is not a solo question. Imagine what the family of the team members are thinking right now. Coming from someone who's supervisor could not make a decision before an incoming natural disaster, that supervisor lost all respect and credibility when lives were put in jeopardy.

Your husband should do the right thing. Make sure the team members get out and home safely before possible disaster strikes. Business is business. Lives are something else.

What if HE is able to get home but team members with connecting flights and/or flights into closed airports can't get home?

Leave now. The best case scenerio? The caution was not needed.

I've been watching the changes in the computer models for just over 24 hours and they are subtley shifting to the south and west (after the northerly turn), bit by bit. Keep watching www.weatherunderground.com and take a look at the models. Yes there are large errors in their predictions. There are large errors in ALL predictions, human and computer models, but watch for the trends.

Who knows where it will go 3 days before landfall...not even the best predictors would be able to say. Better safe than sorry, but it is still too early to pull the trigger. Know where you'll go and how you'll get there, then be vigilant.

Hello,

I'm not sure how up-to-date this article is but much will surely apply. It is called "What Houstonians Should Know About Hurricanes".

http://www.wxresearch.com/houhur.htm

mm

Joe Bistardi from accuweather.com (on Fox News) just said this will be at LEAST a Cat 4, most likely a Cat 5, to hit around Galveston.

My brother and family live in the Lake Jackson/Freeport area, so we are watching closely. He said they are talking about mandatory evacuations in that area, possibly beginning tomorrow.

I just read that people in Galveston were being evacuated as Hurricane is now classed as a No. 2 Hurricane and the the people in the Dome in Houston are being evacuated to Arkansas.

What a nightmare!!! It makes my stomach churn.

seethworld, I sure hope your DH and his work crew get out of Houston asap.

This report btw from the Associated Press. I am going to go turn on the TV.

May everyone in this region be safe. My prayers are with all that are dealing with Hurricane Rita.

Hey ms_go,
My Dad is in Freeport! They are very likely leaving tomorrow too. Evacuating to Nacogdoches. Now does anyone know where THAT is? ;)

Yep Stayed there on the way to Houston once.

I didn't post to get flamed and we do not live under a rock. Just wanted a little friendly support during a stressful time.

Starsville, my husband is a well-respected person who thinks of others. He doesn't hold a gun to anyone's head - they are free to think for themselves. At his request, the travel agent is changing their flights for travel on Thursday (but there has always been a plan in place). The local news here really doesn't say too much and my cable is on the fritz so I don't have the Weather Channel, probably just as well. But that's why I asked. My DH is working diligently to finish and cannot always talk to me.

We have the deepest concern for all of his colleagues who live AND work in Texas. Those whose livelihoods, property, and well-being are in jeopardy should this storm hit. While the commodity that is being audited at this moment is important, and millions of dollars are at stake, it's just money.

And to you AuntIda, have a nice evening :D

Prayers to all those in the path of Rita. I hope the damn thing fizzles like a can of flat pop.

Seetheworld, I did not mean any offense. I've just been stuck in MS and LA more than once without options out - other than driving out when tropical depressions (not yet hurricanes)have stalled just off the coast. In my case, they did not turn into hurricanes nor came onshore, but still crippled flights out.

The supervisor I mentioned did move elsewhere because of the loss of respect of those who were put in harms way due to a reluctance to make a decision. We all know that no one can predict Mother Nature, but after Katrina I think we are all aware of how quickly conditions can change.

Again, my apologies for any offence, but based on personal experience I would keep the rental car to the very last minute and would release the team as early as possible. I've been stuck in Newark airport overnight when all flights were cancelled and I've had coworkers stranded in the Atlanta airport for two days trying to make connections when an icestorm shut down the flights into the smaller regional airports. It's not fun. An extra day to make one's way home makes a big difference.