Meg, the thing that was so bad about Ike was that it was so broad, covered so much territory and didn't slow down once it hit land, as it went North it gathered speed. So many states we hit! Gustav was a stronger storm and did it's damaged and went away! If Gustav had been the strength of Katrina we would not have felt it in Central Louisiana at all. Instead we had the eye! When Katrina hit we had no effects not even rain when it hit New Orleans and the Mississippi Coast.

Hurricanes are weird things and the tornadoes that can spin off are terrible. My husband and I were talking about tornadoes the other day, growing up we never had tornadoes in Louisiana, they are very new to here in the last 20 years.

Betty

I don't think I have ever seen a hurricane do as much damage in Michigan before as Ike has done. Maybe some gray skies and a little rain, but nothing like the flooding that is affecting nine counties. It made the 11:00 news last night again. And some of the rivers haven't crested yet!

We have finally gotten power and phone service back here at our lakehouse after relying on generator power for several days. Our house in Houston did not fare as well and took some damage, but nothing compared to what others suffered. I believe the only thing that saved our lakehouse was the fact that Ike turned north much sooner than they expected so we were spared the eyewall winds, which were originally forecast to be right on top of us when it turned.

I am just devastated to see the destruction on Galveston Island and Bolivar. Whole houses simply washed away and gone. They estimated 40% or more of the residents of Galveston did not heed the mandatory evacuation order and I fear they will eventually find that a lot of people simply washed out to sea with their houses. I pray that will not be the case.

I've lived on the gulf coast for 28 years and have never seen a hurricane maintain it's momentum like Ike did, barreling up the center of the country and causing so much devastation. Friends of mine in Ohio had their house damaged when it passed through.

My husband's aunt passed away during the storm. She was being evacuated from an extended care facility and didn't make it through the move. I still have a couple of friends on Galveston that I am waiting to hear from. I don't know if they evacuated or not.

All I can say is that, despite our losses, we were very fortunate compared to thousands of other people.

Pamela

Welcome back Pam, so glad you are safe! I'm so sorry about your aunt.

It's good to hear that you and MichelleM are both safe, Pam. Things can be replaced, people can't. so glad we didn't lose you both (and anyone else here from that area.

Gerda

Pamela, I am so sorry ya'll had to go through this and so sorry about the Aunt passing.

I have family in Houston and Baytown so I understand what you went through since we just went through Gustav and we don't even live on the coast.

My family in Baytown are still without power, using a Generator. My nephew just got his back a day ago I forget the name of the town he's in.

My dsil said they are scheduled for after Monday of next week so we'll see. If they don't get power I will have them here. My brother doesn't do well with discomfort! lol

Betty