Some good news:
My friend was rescued by red cross and is safe at a shelter.
I got my generator running.
And here's some happy pictures. My nephew making the best out of a bad day between rain storms, and some guys with no cares.

 

When he was rescued from his house the water was chest level. All his possessions are ruined and he had to leave his dogs behind. Both cars submerged.

In local news and a little off topic the local APL is expecting pets that will be transported from TX. While little solace for the human element I also feel bad for the pets like your friends dogs which people have had to abandon as well as the shelters where many pets were staying.

About a mile from me but I can't get to them. Frustrating.

John, I can understand your frustration. I could not stand the thought of being within a mile of my children or grand children and feeling helpless. I can only suggest you just hang tight till the water subsides. The news footage coming out of TX along the gulf is just horrifying.

Ron

 

Thanks, @Reloadron , will do.
@strantor Great to know you are OK with an operational generator and that your buddy is OK for now.
We just sent $$ to Red Cross. They're going to need it.
Raining again, damn it.

 

Houston was predicted for up to 30 inches of rain.

They're now talking 40-50. Grr... We can't get out from under the rain bands.

 

The news late last night said they could beat the old record of 48 inches.

 

The news late last night said they could beat the old record of 48 inches.

That is a record that should stay "unbroken." I hope, for the sake of my friends in Houston, the storm moves on soon.

 

As I sit here toiling away in my rainy day projects, I ponder the enormous amount of energy it takes for the storm to do what it does. It moves the ocean in toward the land. A storm surge over 8ft I think it was. I bet if all the world's ships gathered in the waters off of Corpus Christi, and when all ahead flank all at the same time, they couldn't even produce a measurable storm surge. And then it sits there in the sky and pumps billions, maybe even trillions of gallons of water from the sea to 100 miles inland. I doubt humans will ever be able to replicate that with any kind of Technology. And the whole thing is powered by what? High pressure and low pressure zones? It's mind-boggling.

600 trillion watts. Horrible but still amazing

Shame we couldn't somehow store that energy to get good out of all that devastation.

 

I doubt humans will ever be able to replicate that with any kind of Technology. And the whole thing is powered by what? High pressure and low pressure zones? It's mind-boggling.

--Emphasis Added--

I dunno... I expect the energy vested in the estimated global nuclear arsenal (10 GT TNT Eqv. ≈ 4.2*10^19 Joules) dwarfs that of (primary) meteorological phenomena in the way of sheer destructive potential -- but then such is hardly cause for pride...

Best regards
HP

 

Just saw a tweet from @CajunNavy on the news. Picture of a long string of pickups towing fishing boats coming to help Houston. Buncha standup guys there!! God bless every one of 'em. Coffee's on, boys.

 

Trying to get in touch with my little bro. Phone rings but no answer.

 

Trying to get in touch with my little bro. Phone rings but no answer.

PM his name and address etc. Shelters are going up and I assume there will be rosters available of who's in them. Haven't any idea how to go about it but I expect there will be info in the local news. If I hear anything about it, I'll let you know. Meanwhile check websites of KHOU, KPRC and KTRK TV stations. They are wall to wall and at shelters and likely will have contact info posted soon.

Good luck.

 

Trying to get in touch with my little bro. Phone rings but no answer.

It could be a matter of lines being down. I know it is difficult but just try to wait things out and take advantage of John's kind offer.

Ron

 

It could be a matter of lines being down. I know it is difficult but just try to wait things out and take advantage of John's kind offer.

Ron

Just heard back. He is fine. His mother in law had water up to her knees at their house.

 

Just heard back. He is fine. His mother in law had water up to her knees at their house.

Great and what we like to hear. The fact that he is fine I mean, not so good for his mother-in-law.

Ron

 

Great news @spinnaker
Here's a facebook video that shows the intersection of I-10 and Yale / Heights Blvd on the south side. My daughter's townhouse is that row in the distance at 1:19 in the middle of the 'lake'. Water is gradually receding. If they can get the MDX started, they'll make their way out. The back roads between us and them are out of the water for now.

https://www.facebook.com/keroppicoo/videos/10104303597313656/

Does anyone know how deep an Acura MDX can go? A couple of youtube vids show them going through short stretches maybe 18" deep. Their garage is raised so will have to dive down about a foot to the driveway when exiting. Dark now, don't want to take chances. If it stalls, it will be in their driveway but still not desirable..

No rain right now. Our street has dried out. Neighbors who ran the route say we can make it if they can get out of the garage...

 

Great news @spinnaker
Here's a facebook video that shows the intersection of I-10 and Yale / Heights Blvd on the south side. My daughter's townhouse is that row in the distance at 1:19 in the middle of the 'lake'. Water is gradually receding. If they can get the MDX started, they'll make their way out. The back roads between us and them are out of the water for now.

https://www.facebook.com/keroppicoo/videos/10104303597313656/

Does anyone know how deep an Acura MDX can go? A couple of youtube vids show them going through short stretches maybe 18" deep. Their garage is raised so will have to dive down about a foot to the driveway when exiting. Dark now, don't want to take chances. If it stalls, it will be in their driveway but still not desirable..

No rain right now. Our street has dried out. Neighbors who ran the route say we can make it if they can get out of the garage...

As long as the air intake is above the waterline you are ok on the Acura. The problem is, you have no control when the car is moving. Leave it sit and put it on blocks if needed. I would not start it until the water recedes unless leading it in place risks flooding the interior.

 

As long as the air intake is above the waterline you are ok on the Acura. The problem is, you have no control when the car is moving. Leave it sit and put it on blocks if needed. I would not start it until the water recedes unless leading it in place risks flooding the interior.

Attach a snorkel.

 

Little bro is in Spring Texas so not too bad for him. But is mother in law is south of the city.. She got hit pretty badly.

 

As long as the air intake is above the waterline you are ok on the Acura. The problem is, you have no control when the car is moving. Leave it sit and put it on blocks if needed. I would not start it until the water recedes unless leading it in place risks flooding the interior.

Thanks, but it's moot. Waterline was up to bottom of windows. No joy. Computer is inert.

BUT! Since the water level had dropped a bit on the back road, we went and got them and the baby (and the cat). Had to talk our way around the cops ('Go at your own risk, we ain't coming for you..') that had the road blocked about 1/2 mile away (prudently, I'll add). But we sailed around through some parking lots in the mighty Tahoe and got them. Just in time too. Rain started as we set out and the danged bayou was rising again, up to the hubs as we backed up the drive.

All is good with us so far tonight. Hopefully not as much rain but we'll take what we have. Thanks to all for the concerns and keep those less fortunate in your thoughts.

Fixin' to libate..

 

Fixin' to libate..

I guess that is the fun of a "snow day" (Hurricane day?).