Hurricane Harvey

[Cartmann99]

Wasn't sure exactly where to put this, but I wanted to start a thread for news about the hurricane, the Trump administration's response to it, and a place where members who are/were in the path of the storm can check in to let everyone know they are safe.

I just saw this tweet from Lester Holt:

[fraurosena]

And he's off to such a compassionate start, in true presidunce style!

 

[Cartmann99]

Quote

Hurricane Harvey has officially become a Category 3 storm, as Texas is bracing for impact later Friday evening.

The storm, which has sustained winds of 125 mph with even stronger gusts, is expected to be the worst to hit the state in nearly two decades.

Yuck!

Quote

As of 4 p.m. local time Friday, the hurricane was 60 miles away from the coastal city of Corpus Christi, Texas, with sustained winds of about 125 mph and stronger gusts. Sustained winds of over 50 mph were being reported along the coast, with gusts over 70 mph.

The National Weather Service warned Harvey could bring a potentially devastating storm surge, heavy rainfall and wind hazards to the Lone Star State's coast. A tornado watch is in effect for areas of southeastern Texas and southwest Louisiana.

 

Quote

Mandatory evacuations have been issued for Rockport, Texas, where Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Rios told reporters Friday, “We’re suggesting if people are going to stay here, mark there arm with a sharpie pen with their name and social security number.”

“It’s not something we like to do but it’s the reality; people don’t listen," Rios added.

While a mandatory evacuation order is not in place for Corpus Christi, Mayor Joe McComb did advise residents to voluntarily evacuate.

Sometimes you gotta be blunt with people...

http://abcnews.go.com/US/hurricane-harvey-strengthens-category-storm-125-mph-winds/story?id=49412285

Edited to add:

@fraurosena, how long do you think we have until Trump forgets about the hurricane, and starts tweeting bullshit again?

[K'Z'K]

Given his response to the USS John McCain crash ("that's too bad") I'm expecting the TT's comforting words to victims (and there will be victims) to be something along the lines of "bummer" or "sucks to be you."

[GreyhoundFan]

I was just coming to post about "good luck". I was shaking my head so hard that I got a headache. What a dumbass.

@Cartmann99 , the European model is predicting up to 60 inches of rain. That's just unreal.

[Destiny]

I can't stop watching the CNN coverage. I'm scared shitless of hurricanes and am not afraid to admit it. Thinking good thoughts for Texas and Louisiana. I can't imagine this ever being normal. 

[Cartmann99]

49 minutes ago, GreyhoundFan said:

@Cartmann99 , the European model is predicting up to 60 inches of rain. That's just unreal.

I saw that! 

 Has anybody heard from @Howl? I know she lives in the Austin area, and from what I've seen, they are in for some heavy rain and probably some flooding. 

I know @Penny is also in Texas, but I don't know if she's anywhere near the projected path of Harvey. 

[candygirl200413]

One of my closests friends and her family just moved to Houston a couple months ago and it honestly didn't really hit me till I saw coverage. Her and the fam are going to stay put (it hasn't stormed too hard there yet) but they're getting all this rain I'm just a tad concerned!

[Cartmann99]

@candygirl200413, I'm sorry.

My late father lived in Houston for the last decade of his life, and hurricane season was always nerve wracking for me. 

[candygirl200413]

Thank you @Cartmann99! I've asked her to keep me in contact until it goes out .

[Penny]

I am in the Dallas area, but thinking about anyone in the path. Just heard it is a cat 4 now. I sure hope it does not hit Louisiana, such a crazy path they are predicting.

And I heard TT wants to come to Texas next week. I have mixed feelings about that.

[Cartmann99]

23 minutes ago, Penny said:

I am in the Dallas area, but thinking about anyone in the path. Just heard it is a cat 4 now. 

I'm glad you are safe @Penny. 

Damn! If Harvey makes landfall as a category four, it will be stronger than Katrina was when she hit Louisiana. Horrible news!

I just texted Mr. Cartmann99 and asked him to please top off the gas in the car. Gas prices are going to go up with the refineries shut down for the storm, and if they get damaged, prices will really skyrocket. 

[Howl]

2 hours ago, Cartmann99 said:

I saw that! 

 Has anybody heard from @Howl? I know she lives in the Austin area, and from what I've seen, they are in for some heavy rain and probably some flooding. 

I know @Penny is also in Texas, but I don't know if she's anywhere near the projected path of Harvey. 

Thank you for your concern! Doing fine here in Austin so far, and we're situated high up, so no chance of flooding from creeks or rivers.  However, we're due for 25 - 30 mph winds tomorrow through Sunday along with the heavy rain, so I'll be going out to put up anything loose on the patio.  To clarify, Austin is inland about 170 miles northwest from the point of projected landfall and yet we could get up to 8" of rain from this event.  We'll be catching the outer bands, but other areas even 20 or 30 miles  to the east and southeast will not be so fortunate and are forecast to receive catastrophic amounts of rain. 

I cannot even conceive of the amount of flooding to come, between here and the coast.  In addition, there will be storm surges of 6' to 12' in some areas on the coast near landfall, so massively swollen rivers that drain to the coast will be backed up and unable to drain.  

I'm absolutely, but quietly, frantic, for family who live about 50 miles inland from the coast, but ground zero for the projected path of the hurricane after landfall.   They are also situated relatively high up and won't be directly affected by flooding on the Guadalupe, but they will be cut off by flooding where water comes over the highway.  They do have a generator to run the well pump, a refrigerator and lights plus food and water. The main worry are their livestock that will have to weather the storm the best they can and I'm hoping they have been able to get their horses evacuated.  I suspect their barn will suffer wind damage; Harvey has strengthened to Cat 4 and they could experience 80 + mph winds for a full day and three to four days of catastrophic, nonstop rain.   

In 1998 the lower Guadalupe flooded from a rainfall event (24" in 24 hours) further up in Seguin, New Braunfels and San Marcos.  The river was 5 miles across in the town closest to my relatives and caused extensive damage.  The amount of rain from that event is nothing compared to what is forecast for this hurricane.  I doubt I'll be able to get to them even next week to offer any help, because there will be too much flooding and flood-damaged highways to get there.  This scenario is grim, grim, grim.  Praying for strength for them, all others and critters in the path of the storm to endure this.  Even late Thursday and early Friday, it was looking like a Cat 1 hurricane, which would be totally doable.  The monster that Harvey has become is much more terrifying and I think many people have been caught by surprise by the rapid intensification. 

Of course the Trump administration has left many key  emergency preparedness positions vacant and Trump himself has hied off to Camp David (!) with Melania and the kid.  Hoping with all my being that he does NOT fuck this up, that FEMA is ready, because people will suffer and suffer horribly, as did citizens in massive flooding in southern Louisiana almost a year ago (Aug. 19, 2016).  

Thank you FJ for allowing me to vent my anxiety over this!  

ETA: And FUCK YOU, Donald Trump, for pardoning Joe Arpaio on Friday night, the day that news goes to die, and on the eve of a major natural disaster, further obscuring blow back.  On the other hand, Gorka has resigned. 

[RosyDaisy]

Wow! I just heard Harvey is now a CAT 4 and making landfall! Thoughts and prayers to all in the path. This is going to bad...very, very bad! Mark my words. Trump will fuck this up!

[Imaginary_Wonderland]

Oh gosh, I saw some vids on twitter. Looks fierce and scary. I am now wondering if the part of Texas where my cousin lives will be effected. 

[GreyhoundFan]

41 minutes ago, Howl said:

I'm absolutely, but quietly frantic, for family who live about 50 miles inland from the coast, but ground zero for the projected path of the hurricane after landfall.   They are also situated relatively high up and won't be directly affected by flooding on the Guadalupe, but they will be cut off by flooding where water comes over the highway.  They do have a generator to run the well pump, a refrigerator and lights.   The main worry are their livestock that will have to weather the storm the best they can and I'm hoping they have been able to get their horses evacuated.  I suspect their barn will suffer wind damage; Harvey has strengthened to Cat 4 and they could experience 80 + mph winds for a full day and three to four days of catastrophic, nonstop rain.   

Oh, @Howl, sending good thoughts for your family and their livestock.

[WiseGirl]

Unfortunately learned with Superstorm Sandy that the European Model does not lie. Stay safe everyone in any area in the path of Harvey.  And yes, gas prices are predicted to go up.

[Cartmann99]

@Howl, I'm glad to hear that you are safe. I will keep sending positive thoughts out to your family, and to everyone who will be affected by this storm. 

 

[Howl]

Thank you all for good wishes.  I'm looking at 70 years old next year and am not prone to anxiety, but I'm more anxious right now for the well being of family than at any time in my life.  Just have to sit tight and send them thoughts for their well being. 

[RosyDaisy]

Harvey is making landfall right now on San Jose Island, Texas. Per the Weather Channel, Trump has declared 30 counties in Texas a Disaster Area. I'm honestly shocked.

[candygirl200413]

Sending you thoughts and prayers @Howl. Also disgusting but not surprising that Fuckface makes it all about himself while a natural disaster is occurring.

[KnittingOwl]

Keeping everyone in my thoughts and prayers.  Hope you say safe!!

Trump....every time you think he can't get worse...  

[fraurosena]

Such a contrast indeed. 

And note: apparently signing that pardon was so tiring he needs to go on vacation, again.

[Cartmann99]

I've seen some newspapers announce that they are temporarily removing their paywalls because of Harvey:

National Newspapers:

New York Times-

https://www.nytimes.com

Washington Post-

https://www.washingtonpost.com

Texas Newspapers

Corpus Christie Caller-Times- 

http://www.caller.com

San Antonio Express-News-

http://www.expressnews.com
 

 

 

[fraurosena]

Wowsers, seeing what it looks like from space highlights just how enormous Harvey is.