Hurricane Rita

star-phoenix · Post by **star-phoenix** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 9:52 am

They have just issued mandatory evacuations for the Texas Coast and possibly Houston. They think it will be as big as Katrina (already a Cat 4 and still have 3 more days to feed in the Gulf). Since that is where I am from (currently in Austin, Texas), my family and all their pets are going to come stay in my one bedroom apartment. Oy vay!

Anyone else having to prepare for evacuations? Any tips?

Post by **JWR** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:25 am

Well the only tips I can offer would be.

1. Make sure you have several large bottles of water in case the supply gets screwed up.

2. Since your having "Guests" make sure to have a good amount of canned precooked food that can be eaten cold but won't spoil without being refrigerated.

3. Fill up your car with Gas Now in case there are power outages or gouging later.

4. Have plenty of flashlites & batterys, a battery operated radio & blankets (heater may not work) In case electricity goes out.

Stay safe and enjoy your "company"

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:25 am

Oh four.

Not Sir Phobos · Post by **Not Sir Phobos** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:26 am

Good luck to you sir. JWR has your preparedness covered.

graymouser · Post by **graymouser** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 10:38 am

Something I learned from the evacuations during the San Diego fires. If they are bringing pets be sure to have space to keep them separate. Even private carriers for the cats.

While I was on emergency, I treated more fight wounds (from overly stressed, crowded and just plain frightened pets) than burns and smoke inhalation.

Lynxa · Post by **Lynxa** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:34 am

Ugh, right there with you hon!

We've got three women (my stepdad's sister and her roommates), four chiuauas, five cats, and one GIANT golden retriever heading up here (to our three-bedroom house with four people (one Katrina evacuee

), two cats, and one pug

).

If we don't go crazy and start eating each other, it should be okay.

Here's a tip, and it might sound stupid, but if you think your power might go out make sure you have a hand-powered can opener and a phone that isn't cordless.

vapalla · Post by **vapalla** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 11:48 am

All good advice! I can vouch for the phone thing from personal experience! I can add one useful thing, but it only works if you have a balcony or yard space. When Isabel knocked our power off for 6 days, I was able to keep coffee in my caffine addicted self by having a little camping gas stove. We also filled up the tub before the storm for emergency water supply for toilet flushing. (This is only necessary if you are on a well or likely to have your water supply stopped for some reason.) Since the storm is big, electricity can be knocked out over huge areas, and it may be a while before it can be restored.

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:45 pm

But...

isn't global warming just a myth?

Ok, I'll go continue being ill now, go back to what you were doing. Hope you all in the path of said monster are able to get out ok.

Not Sir Phobos · Post by **Not Sir Phobos** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 12:46 pm

If water is a concern then make a solar still. We used to make them in Boyscouts durring survival training. Very easy and very simple.

Here is a guide I found: http://www.ehow.com/how_12584_make-solar-still.html

jcaliff · Post by **jcaliff** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:33 pm

I'm in Houston, but not in a mandatory evacuation area. It looks like I'll be staying - I thought about going north to Dallas, but I've heard the traffic is insane and then I'd be stuck until who knows when. I've got water, food, and a radio, and I'm hoping that it'll blow through with minimal damage. On the third floor of a four-floor apartment building, I'm more worried about flying debris than flooding. I'm going to stop by the store on the way home and see if I can grab a cheap flashlight, some extra batteries, and some wide masking tape for the windows just to be safe. I plan to fill the bathtub and all the trash cans with extra water because if the electricity goes out I lose water as well - the pumps are electric to get it to the third floor. There were lines to get gas this morning, and pumps were out at stations even as far noth as the Woodlands. I stopped at a couple of stores last night and bottled water is completely sold out EVERYWHERE. My company is clearing all important data and items out of the outer offices and moving them to interior rooms. There's just this general tension in the air, you know? Everyone is pretty nervous.

star-phoenix · Post by **star-phoenix** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:12 pm

Well, now the 'cane is up to a 5. They say now it will be WORSE than Katrina! My parents are still trying to figure out whether to stay or come to me since I am in Austin. We will end up having to deal witht he high winds and tornadoes (been there, don't want to repeat either).

My mom went to Wal-mart and they were completely out of water. I am seriously trying to convince them to come to me regardless of evacuations or not. They can't find any places that offer bottled water. They would bring with them 3 HUGE golden retrievers (over 300 lbs worth of dogs), 2 parrots, 2 rodents, and themselves into my one bedroom apartment. Oy!

For those who are in the coastal area, PLEASE stay safe and go to safe places. If you need any help finding a place, send me a PM. I will find ya a place to stay.

Zag · Post by **Zag** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:16 pm

star-phoenix wrote: They can't find any places that offer bottled water. They would bring with them 3 HUGE golden retrievers (over 300 lbs worth of dogs), 2 parrots, 2 rodents, and themselves into my one bedroom apartment. Oy!

If they decide to stay, tell them to fill the tub with clean water and keep a bucket handy (for flushing).

Post by **JWR** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:19 pm

Just a reminder.

The server for Rubberslug is in Austin so when Rita comes ashore do not be shocked if there are power issues and that R/S becomes unavailable for a little while.

I know they have everything backed up so the data should be alright.

I do hope everyone in the affected area uses common sense and be safe. I hope Rita looses steam as it nears land and comes ashore with the least amount of damage.

jcaliff · Post by **jcaliff** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:32 pm

Well, my sister and her family are evacuating to Dallas, and they're encouraging me to go, too. I guess I'll try driving up there tomorrow. Can't wait to sit in traffic for 15 hours. I guess that's safer though. I'm taking my cats, my cels, my photographs, my computer, and anything else I care about. I'm putting all my trading cards, books, and DVDs in the closet. Tonight I need to do laundry, dishes, put everything that will fit away in cupboards and closets, and pack up my car. I'll cover the windows and hope for the best for the rest of the stuff in my apartment. Fun fun fun

I hate bad weather.

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:32 pm

That is very soon.