Hurricane Ike: Update 9
Justin and I have relocated to my parents house by Dallas. We've been able to talk to some people in Pearland and all the news is same: NO POWER (oh, but water, which should probably be boiled)
Anyone who evacuated is being asked NOT to return. Of the power company's 2.26 million customers, only 24% have power. Most of that is probably emergency services and hospitals. With all of the Houston metro area to work on, it's hard to tell where will get restored when. The county website warns that it may take 4 days.
We have yet to hear definate direction on when we'll be needed back at work, but it will be awfully hard to do before power is restored and gasoline is available to pump (remember, we have a 100 mile round trip commute). The two of us can telecommute if they really need work out of us.
The very worst we can expect when we return home is a leaking roof leading to moldy bed, couch or clothes OR looters haven taken everything. Realistically, I expect we'll have a smelly home from a refrigerator with no power.
I talked to Amanda this evening. Her home is on Bolivar Peninsula, where her grandparents and some aunts and uncles also live.
Fortunately, they all evacuated to different parts of Texas.
But from all of the reports they've heard, including the local fire department, everything is gone.
Knowing that, her family was really blessed to have gotten out of there, but they have nothing to go back to.
Please keep her family, and everyone in their situation, in your prayers.