south texas hurricane
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Joined: Jan 2008
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The aftermath is the toughest to deal with. No power, no food, no gas to be found. The most important thing to note is that some people were in chest deep water, struggling to survive, but you didn't see one person standing with their hand out looking for government help or freebies. It's a bad scene but the Texan attitude is that we will come through this. We have people sharing the food they have, sharing power off of generators, sharing candles, food, water, supplies. You won't find bodies full of bullet holes like 50% dead they found in New Orleans that didn't make the news. I am proud to be a Texan and this is a prime example of the caliber of people here. It's tough and we went through a lot but all I can say is that maybe the areas that don't respond in the way that we did in this catastrophe maybe need to be thinned out to begin with. My bike is safe, my family is safe and coping, and we will be fine when the dust settles. I hear that they had to send buses back because only 400 people wanted the free ride out. That speaks volumes. Good luck to all my fellow Texans...it may be tough but that is what we are made of. My battery is low so bye for now. God bless you brothers, take care
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: SW Florida
Cruise, glad to hear you, your family and bike are all alright.
We live on a barrier island and went through hurricane Charlie. Our experience was much the same as what you are seeing. Charlie came by just before FEMA was taken over by Homeland Security and it was amazing how much help we all had and how fast it came. I work for the local fire department and we were evacuated the morning of Charlie. The next day streets where cleared of downed trees and the day after the street were littered with utility trucks. It was unbelievable. For me it was two weeks before power was restored. In the meantime the Red Cross was serving hot meals and a local super market restaurant was serving free meals to those who were allowed on the island. Trailer truck load of ice where always available. I hope Texans and all suffering from the effects of Ike receive the same.
We live on a barrier island and went through hurricane Charlie. Our experience was much the same as what you are seeing. Charlie came by just before FEMA was taken over by Homeland Security and it was amazing how much help we all had and how fast it came. I work for the local fire department and we were evacuated the morning of Charlie. The next day streets where cleared of downed trees and the day after the street were littered with utility trucks. It was unbelievable. For me it was two weeks before power was restored. In the meantime the Red Cross was serving hot meals and a local super market restaurant was serving free meals to those who were allowed on the island. Trailer truck load of ice where always available. I hope Texans and all suffering from the effects of Ike receive the same.
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Just a rant, but the media all high and dry sometimes really torques me. While listening to my battery radio I heard one announcer say that we need ice as as a luxury item as if we are sitting around mixing pina' caladas. Ice isn't a luxury item, it is a necessity for keeping food from spoiling. Sure those who have prepared have spam and sardines and etc. But we also have freezers defrosting with chicken and sausage and meat that we grilled with charcoal after we lost power that we have to keep from spoiling so we can eat until the food supply catches up. Ice isn't a luxury item, it's a necessity. I had six 40 pound bags that I found just before the hurricane hit and gave half away to those who couldn't find any. Now I can make it with what I have but can't spend precious fuel going all over the flooded roads looking for more which is very scarse. The guy who stated this on the radio should put down his Margaretta on the rocks for a minute and put himself in our place. Rant over 
BTW, thank you Bertk.
BTW, thank you Bertk.
Last edited by Cruise; Sep 14, 2008 at 05:26 PM.
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From: 20 miles north of Pittsburgh, PA
Glad to hear that you are ok. I am amazed to read that not that many people have been hurt or killed (so far, fingers crossed). In a third world nation 10 to 20 thousand people might have lost their lives.
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Joined: Jan 2008
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As the rant continues. not one...repeat not one truck load of supplies has reached this area from the government. The local government has publicly stated that heads should role with fema. They have not held up their end of the plan. The local government had announced distribution centers and had people waiting in line for ice and essentials. The trucks sat far away and have not made it into the areas. I mean, even with the free sharing of supplies by people in these areas we are running out of supplies. The stupid government who spend billions on foreign aid and spend billions on rebuilding other countries can't even handle the simplest task of getting life saving supplies to a devastated area. We don't want free hand outs, we want supplies available. If the government can't handle that in a declared disaster area they need to fire every one of the lazy 6 figure government employees and get some people who can get the job done. I almost laughed at the stupid paddle footing done by the US government spokesman and our local government official said he WOULD hold them accountable. There is only one form of stupidity, and that form is from the idiots running FEMA. We don't want freebies, we want supplies to buy and that task is much too much to ask of a stupid bunch of idiots who have leached on the U.S. pay role for much too long. I only wish they would fire every one of them and re-hire those with at least a third grade education who could make a difference. The Texas government officials are calling them on it and telling it like it is...they are not pulling any punches either on the tv news. I'm cheering them on and they are making the U.S. agencies look like the idiots they are. It's really about time someone stood up and told them what idiots they really are.
Last edited by Cruise; Sep 14, 2008 at 06:40 PM.
Is there any national coverage on the problems there? This sound like another Katrina. 