And so it has begun, 7:30 Central time in Houston the wind howls

[texpatriot2004]

rain drops sprinkle down right now, the sky is a strange color - a kind of grayish red - it is getting dark here now. The storm, Rita, just reminds me of the storm brewing in America right now. The Anti-War demonstrations scheduled for tomorrow plue the war against this evil regime...yes, it has begun.

[xultar]

1. I'm supposed to come to Houston Monday on business...please keep

me informed of how you are doing and how things are in Houston.

I need to know whether or not to buy airline tickets for Monday.

[texpatriot2004]

4. I will try to remember to let you know. n/t

[xultar]

16. So, How are you? Everything OK there in Houston?

[ClintonTyree]

2. You're IN Houston?

May I ask, why? It appears you're going to be spared the brunt of the storm, but why didn't you leave before? :shrug: Just asking.

[texpatriot2004]

5. A combination of things, mostly by the time we could have left

everyone and their brother was sitting on every highway going nowhere. We are a one income family now and have been for a couple of years thanks to this booming economy so money is tight. We have a V-6 and a V-8 so gas (if we could find it) could be expensive. We decided just to do what we could to secure the place and stay here. We didn't want to be on the road when it hit so here we are. It looks like we might miss the worst of it, but I have a gut feeling Rita may turn at the last minute...we'll see.

[Boomer]

7. You're not alone

Several of my Texas friends have stayed in Houston. They were out of the flood-prone areas and concerned that they wouldn't find lodging for themselves and LOTS of pets. So they stayed.

Their neighbor tried to leave twice -- once early in the morning and then later in the day -- and had to turn back because the roads were gridlocked.

[tblue37]

14. My brother, who lives 40 miles south of Houston

evacuated to Austin, where he has friends. A trip that normally takes him 2 hours took 12. What a mess that must have been.

[Jamastiene]

17. Stay safe, please.

[MazeRat7]

3. Yep, looks like the outter edge has arrived.

MZr7

[dogindia]

6. The power is out at my sister's north of Houston.

[texpatriot2004]

9. Really, already? That's too bad. Where in North Houston? n/t

[dogindia]

10. About 20 miles north just west of I45...town called Magnolia

[texpatriot2004]

11. Oh yes, I know Magnolia...it's not that far from here where I am at

maybe 45 minutes away. I hope they will be fine through the storm. Take care.

[Texasgal]

8. Please be safe!

We are in Austin and the winds started here around 4:00 p.m.

Please keep us updated!

[Booster]

12. Just caught myself being mesmerized by your Panda baby.

Those little senior moments help me get through the day.

[Texasgal]

13. heh heh!

Well... that's okay, anything to get your mind off of anything bad! :)

Please keep us updated!

[texpatriot2004]

15. One of the big old trees in a neighbors yard snapped earlier

it was wierd because the winds were only say 20-30 mph with gust maybe to 40. The whole top half or more is laying in their driveway and the street. Sad. Other than that not much is happening here (West Houston) so far.