From here:
Galveston, a barrier island, remained prone to mass destruction. It was 90 percent empty as the storm neared. "Galveston is going to suffer," City Manager Steve LeBlanc said.
Some people in Galveston, however, said they just could not bear to leave the city, which is protected by a 17-foot (5-meter) seawall built after a 1900 hurricane killed 8,000 people in the most deadly U.S. natural disaster on record.
[...]
Diane Bethea, who lives a block from the seawall, said she would stay because her dog, a Doberman Pinscher, at 100 pounds (45 kg) was too big to be caged on an evacuation bus. "If we're going to die, we're going to die together," she said.
Expected to lose some steam as it neared land, Rita still could hit Texas late on Friday or early Saturday as no less than a Category 3 storm with winds of up to 130 mph (209 kph).
Here's the latest track from NOAA. Rita looks likely to make landfall a little east of Galveston, according to this prediction.
It looks like a lot of oil refineries are going to be out of commission for a little while. In response, gas prices will almost certainly spike again, nationwide.
Let's just hope that the loss of life is minimal, and the damage to our country's crucial energy infrastructure can be repaired quickly...
Article comments
1 - Janice Thompson
Thanks so much for posting my book! In light of recent events, I thought you might enjoy my press release, as well.
“Hurricane” Author Forced to Evacuate Houston Area As Rita Closed In
Spring, Texas, September 26, 2005. Janice Thompson, a Houston native and author of the 2004 novel, “Hurricane” recently found herself an evacuee as Rita swept ashore along the Texas/Louisiana coast. Thompson, whose novel chronicles the story of the great Galveston hurricane of 1900, sat glued to the news in the days leading up to Rita’s landfall, mesmerized by the irony of events taking place in her life.
“As the author of a book about the largest natural disaster in American history, I knew the possibility of a catastrophic storm hitting the Galveston/Houston area was very real,” she says. “So we didn’t take any chances.” Thompson and her family caravanned up to the Dallas area, leaving at 5:45 Thursday morning (September 22nd). They arrived nearly twelve hours later, exhausted, but relieved to be safely out of the storm’s path.
“I was amazed at what I saw up and down I-45,” Thompson adds with a smile. “People were stopping all along the way - some to take a little “siesta” on the side of the road, others to search out a discreet place to “relieve” themselves, still others to have picnics with their families or even total strangers. Many were out of gas and/or needed roadside assistance. Others needed medical attention. I saw people by the hundreds helping total strangers. Really made me proud to be a Texan.”
In truth, Thompson admits, she has always been proud of her home state. Over the past several weeks, she has worked alongside others in the Houston area, caring for the needs of Katrina evacuees, many of whom have little, if anything, to go back to. “I’ve seen the look in their eyes,” she says, “and it breaks my heart. But I’ve been reminded of the role Houston played in the aftermath of the great hurricane of 1900, how we swept in and cared for the people of Galveston all those years ago. I somehow knew our city could " and would " rise to the occasion again. I also knew I had to play a role.”
Thompson’s “role” has included working alongside local ministries, including Lindale Assembly (a Red Cross shelter that has housed up to 180 evacuees at a time) and “Somebody Cares Houston” (a local compassion ministry, headed by Doug Stringer). At one Houston-area “Somebody Cares” Distribution Center, Thompson met with Katrina evacuees and shared the story of her novel with them, encouraging those from storm-ravaged areas of Louisiana to look with hope toward the future, and referencing Galveston as an example of successful rebuilding.
“Of course, I had no idea at the time I would soon face a storm of my own,” Thompson says with a hint of a smile. “But I’ve been speaking to historical and civic groups for months now about the storms we go through in our lives " reminding them that they can either strengthen or weaken us. I always encourage people to let the storms of life build them into people of great strength.”
Thompson, who is in the process of writing a sequel to her novel (this one focused on the rebuilding of the Island) can’t help but see the irony of the past few weeks. “With two more months of hurricane season ahead, we could opt to walk in fear,” Thompson says. “But I choose not to. In spite of any hurricanes that might come my way, I choose to lift my head, to keep my spirits high and to look to the people of Galveston, Texas, as an example of what it means to “come back” after tragedy. One hundred and five years ago they built a mammoth seawall, elevated the island, and bounced back with great resilience. They rebuilt shops, reopened businesses and linked arms to accomplish it all. Their faith and determination saw them through. They weren’t spared future storms. In fact, a huge hurricane struck in 1915, but the seawall held and lives were spared.”
“Texans are equally as resilient today. Communities ban together after tragedies and feel a sense of unity. Together, they are a powerful force to be reckoned with " almost as strong as the storms, themselves. All across the Gulf Coast we’ve watched " and will continue to watch " as people link arms to rebuild. Roofs will be patched, fallen trees will be cleared and moldy carpet will be removed. Together, people will cling to their faith and start afresh, anew.
We are people of great strength. And we will weather these storms. Together.”
Author: J. Thompson, Janice Thompson (www.janiceathompson.com)
Format: Paperback, 288 pages, softcover
ISBN: 1589190203
Publisher: Chariot Victor Pub/Cook Communications (1-800-323-7543)
Pub. Date: 01 October, 2004
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Janice Thompson lives in Spring, TX, with her husband (a sergeant for the Sheriff’s Office) and four grown daughters. She is the author of several Houston-based novels, including HURRICANE. She is also available for local interviews.