Post Hurricane Ike Evacuation–Updated

September 14, 2008 / 11:07 pm • By Dr. Melissa Clouthier

Tonight we made an executive decision to evacuate. While Houston is coming back online, certain areas like The Woodlands will not be put back together for some time.

Phone service, power and even cellular service is spotty. No communication and no air conditioning do not make for happiness in Houston.

Where we live us so densely populated, that getting enough generators and the fuel necessary to run them is an issue.

Certain neighborhoods look like war zones. Every house on my street had at least one major tree down. We are fortunate. Many, many people are not so lucky.

Between water and structural and roof damage, many people will be suffering. I cannot fathom the insurance claims. It will be staggering.

I will write more later. We made the decision to go for now. Please consider giving to the Red Cross or United Way. They are operating at a loss right now. I cannot overemphasize the need. Thank you all for the well wishes. We are safe and our home is ok–one leak. We have some trees that will have to go.

We also will be without income for a while. That’s a worry for another day.

Update:

I just got a text from ATT and the CDC, Center for Disease Control, saying that the Woodlands and Conroe now are under a boil water notice. Please confirm, although this makes sense.

Also, people living in Orange have had power restored by Entergy. Only 3% restored overall.

Heard that Army is bringing in generators for gas and grocery stores, but I should note that we saw no convoys or anything going toward Houston.

Marisco Place, a street near the bayou off of Gosling had multiple power lines down and significant damage. Grogan’s Point was blocked in for one day, but crews from the Woodlands Operating Company were in there. More trees down there than in other places in the Woodlands. Power lines down on Sawdust. This info is good as of yesterday evening.

Updates again:

Roof of Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion blown off.

Yesterday, as I schlepped the leaves and branches with rake and broom, my neighbor asked me “don’t you have a blower?” I just looked at him. Pretty funny. That little thing called electricity…

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  • Catherine Cook

    Hi Melissa,
    I am from the Woodlands to. My husband and I got out on Thursday evening. We managed to take back roads to Dallas and avoid the horror that was I45. I just wanted to say that I’ve found your blog invaluable over the past three days. It’s been the only available update about the woodlands and without it I would have no idea whats going on. I hope you and your family are safe and sound whereever you end up in the shortterm. xx

  • BLN

    Hi,

    I am in CA. Friends in The Woodlands have sent text messages. On their street there are houses with trees in and/or on them. Water is sketchy so boiling. No power. Some stores open but emptied of staples. Were able to find a few bags of ice yesterday thankfully. Cell only works to send text messages once in a while. Cannot call out still.

    Hang in there all. Prayers are with you.

  • Michelle

    Just left the Woodlands today, to go to family in Round Rock to load up on Batteries, ice, etc. as this is very scarce in the woodlands as of today the 15th. It is taking at least 3 hours to get gas, and ice and batteries are scarce, they are saying it will be at least 3 weeks before power is back on, I hope not, I will go back by the end of the week. And if anyone needs to know CISD will be closed the remainder of the week and Tentatively will open schools on Monday the 19th, they will update this friday afternoon, the radio stations are very behind on this information.

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  • http://www.allergytreatmentrelief.com Elizabeth Taylor

    When buying Cellphone Batteries make sure that you are not getting those chinese fakes and knockoffs.~’: