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A Favor To Ask For My Family In Galveston, Texas (and everyone else's families too)

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Gundaker

For the past few days I've had a watchful eye on the Gulf of Mexico, wondering where Hurricane Ike would land. It now appears to be headed straight for Galveston, Texas, where my dad lives.

As hurricanes go, Ike is a Category 2 right now (on a scale of 1 to 5), which could make it seem like a 'little one' until you see exactly how BIG this storm is. When you look at it on radar, you can barely see any part of the lovely waters that fill the Gulf of Mexico.

Ike

When we have a 'windy' storm here in St. Louis, it usually has a band of high wind that blows through very fast ahead of the rain. Winds may reach 50 or 60 miles per hour, but the storm moves fast so it only lasts for a little bit, maybe 1/2 an hour. Sure we lose tree limbs and maybe a few roofs that were in need of repair, but that's about it. With a hurricane, you have winds of more than TWICE that speed in a painfully slow storm, meaning the winds will last for HOURS.

The last big storm to hit this area was Hurricane Alicia in 1983, and I was there for that one, as my dad lived in West Houston. What I will always remember about that storm was the NOISE. The constant barrage of rain on the windows. The eerie drone of the wind against the house seemed it would never end. The Eye of the storm passed right through our neighborhood, and we had a brief opportunity to head out and check on neighbors. The Eye is as quiet and uneventful as a typical cloudy day, and you are tempted to start breathing a sigh of relief, until you realize that the Eye merely signals the storm is only halfway through.  After too small of a break, the winds and rain start up again - the noise returns to drown all other thought.

Luckily my dad escaped major damage in Alicia. But since then his love of the water drew him closer to the Gulf, and he now lives on a canal in Bayou Vista, a tiny town just before the bridge to Galveston. My step-mom, Linda, and her mother, Laura, who lives on the Island, have taken shelter with my step-sis on the north side of Houston. My dad, who works for the Galveston School District, is staying on the Island with a group of first responders in a fortified hotel.

As we all watch the coverage on CNN and other news channels, it's tempting to treat it like a reality show and have certain level of detachment from the story. But these are peoples' homes that are in real Jeopardy, and there is no grand prize at the end for Survivors, unless you count the answered prayers of those whose worldly possessions are spared.

So this weekend, no matter what you are doing with your loved ones, please take just a moment to give pause and send your thoughts and prayers to those in the storm's path. May they all be blessed with calm winds and low tides as soon as possible.

  Jenn

Comments (8)

Debra Kukulski, Broker Associate
RE/MAX Suburban - Cary, IL
SRES;SFR,CDPE;GRI;ABR;e-PRO Realtor, Northern IL

Jenn, that is so scarey and I hope all is fine with your Dad.

Sep 12, 2008 02:37 AM
Beth Forbes
The mortgage help you want when you need it. - Center Valley, PA
Your 24/7 loan officer

Jenn-Your post brought tears to my eyes. You are absolutely right that we become detached from the images and stories and forget that this is really happening to actual people. I will certainly keep your family and everyone else in the path of this storm in my prayers. Especially your father and the other first responders who have chosen to stay.

Sep 12, 2008 02:41 AM
Access San Diego
San Diego Real Estate - San Diego, CA

The sheer size of this Hurricane is scary. CNN reported that the storm surge could be 22 feet.

Sep 12, 2008 02:46 AM
Kerry Smyth
Newcomers Welcome Service - Ann Arbor, MI

I was visiting Puerto Rico once during a storm that wasn't even classified as a hurricane it was a tropical storm.  It was very very scary and gave me some perspective how bad a hurricane must be.  My thoughts and prayers will be with your father and everyone else in the area.

Sep 12, 2008 02:51 AM
Rebecca Schrader
Competitive Insurance of Dundee - Dundee, FL

Good morning Jenn,

At first we believed that Hurricane Ike would hit the southern tip of Texas...it has sense taken a more northern turn (Unfortunate for your dad) My brother lives at the southern tip of Texas...they had been "preparing" for this storm all week...as did WE...(we live in Florida) they evacuated the Florida Keys...thankfully it stayed south...but man, to look at this thing...it's a MONSTER...I pray that your father stays safe...

Sep 12, 2008 03:00 AM
Kim Brown
Keller Williams Realty - Keene, NH
Keene, NH - New England at its Best!

Jenn--Your Dad is a caring and courageous person, and my thoughts will be with him, your family and all the folks who have to face this monster of a storm.  They'll also be with you...it's so hard to wait these things out when our loved ones are at risk.  Sending good vibes your way...

Sep 12, 2008 03:17 AM
Jenn Beilmann
Coldwell Banker Gundaker - Mehlville, MO
St. Louis MO Realtor

Debra - thanks!

Beth - thank you!

Access SD - the storm surge is a major concern. 8 feet puts it at their back door. 20+ feet would take out the house.

Terry - tropical storms can be scary as well, especially if you're not used to it. Glad you came through okay.

Rebecca - you just never know where it will hit until it's almost on top of you. I'm glad your brother will be spared.

Kim - thank you for the kind thoughts. I sure appreciate it!

Sep 12, 2008 05:09 AM
Betina Foreman
WJK Realty - Austin, TX
Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

This is why you have to live every day as if its your last. Tell the people you love now, because who knows what the future holds. good luck and God bless!

Sep 13, 2008 03:52 AM