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The Wrath of Ike in Spring

By
Real Estate Agent with thredUP.com

Finally got power on Day 8 after Hurrican Ike.  It has been crazy.  Neighbors starting to put fences back up, debris starting to get taken away, Insurance Adjusters coming out and making some people happy, others not so much.  Overall, most of us were lucky and walked away alive and well.

Up here in the Suburbs on the North side of Houston called Spring- Just south of The Woodlands, North of Downtown.  Something I often hear from folks relocating in to Houston is "Do we need to be concerned with Hurricanes this Far North?"  Well, the answer depends on what you are worried about.  Flooding? Winds?  Tornadoes?  Although not often, we can get some damage up here atleast 75 miles from the coast. Typically there is not a whole lot to worry about.  The storm will come through, we have a little mess to clean up with tree limbs, power will go out for not even a day....not too bad or worse that you would find with a normal bad storm anywhere in the world.

Hurricane Ike was one of those that took us by surprise and is kind of rare. 

Granted, not anywhere near as bad as Crystal Beach or Bolivar Peninsula along the coast- But we did get some.  Homeowner's Insuance in my opinion is a MUST even if you owe nothing on the property and are not required to have it.  Although most areas do not Flood, for about $300 a year you can get full flood insurance (when it is NOT required) and that seems to be worth it to me, especially if you think that a torrential rainstorm may not drain quickly in your yard.  Any rising water is considered 'flooding'.  

Survey when buying the property?  Yes!  Mine will come in handy when rebuilding my own fence. 

All of these tools really come in handy when that once every so often big storm rolls through- Even if it is not for another 25 years, you never know.

I thought I would share a few of the pictures that I have taken over the past week so that you could see what 75 miles away from the coast looks like from Hurricane Ike.  Many of these were taken within 2 days of the storm and the streets are mostly clear now.  Just FYI.

 

Comments(7)

Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Stephanie I can so relate, since I have experienced numerous hurricanes.  Glad you got your electricity back it will sure make llife better.

Sep 21, 2008 11:50 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Stephanie- This is a good reminder to people.  I saw your pictures on Twitter, and followed your journey during these days without electricity.  You guys were lucky, and this Post would really relieve my mind if I was thinking of moving there...it gives practical advice :)  Glad you're all safe .....

Sep 21, 2008 12:43 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Hi Jennifer,  thanks.  It was not too bad but it is starting to get hot again.  For a few days the weather was awesome and we didn't really even need air.  Atleast I had water the whole time.  That would REALLY have been rough.

Hi Kathy,  LOL.  I just realized that I didn't really answer that question, whether or not we should worry about the storms.  :)  Guess I should edit the post.  I was finally able to get some pictures uploaded to flickr yesterday that have been stored in my camera.  Had some time while charging the kids' portable dvd player at Starbucks. :)

Sep 21, 2008 12:53 PM
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes

Stephanie - so glad it wasn't any worse for you especially with young kids. So many people don't realize that the majority of  flood claims are from non flood area homes - it's something we definitely let people know when they move here - especially since it's usually $300 or less. I learned a long time ago that one of the major causes of flooding is blocked storm drains that cause "rising water" in the most unlikely places and then uninsured home owners suffer a costly loss.

Sep 21, 2008 01:41 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Hey Cyndee,  That's so true.  I have tons of blog fodder right now, and one in draft that goes in to detail about some of this. 

Shows that home maintenance is really important in coastal areas.  But I tell you what, I love it here. :)

Sep 21, 2008 02:40 PM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Hey Steph!  I'm so glad to hear that you have power!!!  I know how much that means and how much easier it makes it to start the clean up and repair process.  Best wishes to everyone there dealing with the aftermath...I have friends in Magnolia who are still without power and they are getting really tired of staying with friends who do.

Sep 21, 2008 04:01 PM
Stephanie Edwards-Musa
thredUP.com - The Woodlands, TX
knitwit at thred UP

Hey Lisa,  how people went for months in New Orleans without power...Wow!  With power I can keep the doors and windows shut and keep my little one inside.  Thank goodness.  The mosquitos are getting awful!  He found the open doors as an invitation to roam the streets.  LOL. Tiring.

I hope your friends get power soon.  @mlbroadcast is still without power also.

Sep 22, 2008 03:19 AM