I just heard from Vince Ramos (Ketron rep in Houston). I think he plans to ride out the storm. I hope he will change his mind and run.
We are expecting only 40 mph winds and several inches of rain in North Louisiana. We can use the rain!
According to the TV, traffic out of Houston is moving at 3 mph.
DonM

Curious how many Synthzone Members here live in (or near) the path of Rita? If so, I hope you've already evacuated and pray for your safety. - Scott

Many scientists have been claiming that the apparent increase of the number of huge storms is linked to human activity while others say there's no correlation.

Two recent studies ("Nature" magazine in July and "Science" magazine, this September) come to the same conclusion: the number of strong hurricanes (categories 4 & 5) is twice the number we had 35 years ago. http://www.ucar.edu/news/releases/2005/hurricanestudy.shtml

I hope out SZ friends are on safe ground this time.

-- José.

[This message has been edited by Route 66 (edited 09-23-2005).]

The first of waves of the hurricane are starting to reach us in North Louisiana. They are predicting up to 20 inches of rain over the next couple of days. Winds are around 40 mph now and increasing.
It won't be anything like the full force of the hurricane, but we aren't prepared for much up here. They are giving away sand bags to help protect from flooding. We didn't get any, but maybe should have!
DonM

We're right in the middle of it now. So far, not much damage, just rain, a few trees down, etc. Cross your fingers that this is the worst.
DonM

Don ... we're praying for you ....
t.

Don....Glad you are holding your own...keep the keys dry and the throat wet....hehehe
praying for you guys up there....
Tony Rome

As it turns out there wasn't much to it. We had about 5 inches of rain and winds around 55-65- mph. We didn't even lose power at our house, although around 50,000 people in the Shreveport area did, at least temporarily. About half is back on now.
The storm did not stall over us as predicted, it kept right on moving. Sun is out now and I'm going to play golf.
Thanks for the prayers and good thoughts--they worked!!!
DonM

Don,
My Mother two Sisters and their familes are still with us. My Brother in law is headed back to New Orleans to work with Crescent Towing, the tug boat outfit he woirks with.

One of my Sisters is determined to stay with her daughter, son in law and their baby until the season is over after October.

The other sister has a 15 year old and seems set on keeping her son in the school system here. It is pretty clean compared to where she came from.

My brother and his son are still in New Orleans fighting fires. They only go out with armed national guardsmen. (This I can't believe)In many cases they have to use water from 18 wheelers hauled up from the river.

The Red Cross, Salvation Army and many other local groups have help my folks with all sorts of gifts and help?
One man from California who just moved here saw them interviewed on TV when they first arrived and came with his wife to my house and gave my Mother a $600 Wal-Mart credit card and visited over an hour. All he would tell us was his first name, so, we still don't know the kind gentelman.

Don, Drew just bought a home before this happened and has my Sister, Brother In law and the 15 year old at his place. He is elated to have company. Ha! Ha!

My Mother an oldest Sis are with Me and Penny.

With the help of FEMA a housing group helped my neice and her husband with the 14 month old baby acquire an apartment.

I'm trying to entertain them with all the beautiful mountain drives around this area.

Email me about Susan OK?
Boo

Boo,
I'm glad to hear they all are o.k.
Susan has two more chemo treatments, one tomorrow and another in two weeks.
It has been a LONG six months, but the end is finally in sight.
Her prognosis is very good.
Don