British Expatriate Network

No not the hurricane but the big cock-up all the county officials made with evacuation evil


We left home at 2 o'clock this morning hoping to head for Austin. The first 5 miles were fine, not much traffic everything going smoothly. We had a full tank and a spare can full of gas. I noticed all the local gas stations were closed so we were unable to get any ice for our coolers full of water/gatorade etc. When we hit the highway we were re-routed by highway patrol. We had no choice on our destination we were told we had to go to Brenham. So our nightmare journey began, from 2.15 until 9.30 we travelled just 30 miles. It was unbeleivable, traffic was converging from all areas even though the evacuation route was only meant to be from our county at that time.

We tried keeping the a/c off to conserve gas but even that early the temps had already risen into the high 80's. We saw 5 wrecks, one of which we later heard was a fatality. People were having to jump out of their cars and squat behind bushes to pee. Cars were running out of gas and just sitting on the side, there was no gas anywhere. This is Texas, damnit, we shouldn't run out of gas!(sorry I heard a state trooper yell that out this morning!)

Anyway, we decided enough was enough and we turned the truck round and came back home. So here we are, in our fortress ready to ride out the storm. It may not be as bad for us as predicted as it has shifted a bit today.

You may all think we are crazy, there was a personal reason that really made us decide and we called our kids first before we made the decision and they understood. So hopefully a smaller storm will hit us and hopefully not too much backlash from storm surge afterwards.

We have all we need here in the house and we have each other. I'm sure we will be ready to fight another day.


Oh, and thanks Goose for the offer of a bed. You, Johna and Kinross Lady are appreciated and if we could have got that far I'm sure we would have had fun with you all.

Good Luck Cel and Mick! I was watching tv earlier on and wondering if you might end up staying. The traffic looked terrible! I don't think you are crazy at all. I would rather be in my home than stuck in traffic on the interstate when the storm hits shock I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

OMG Cel, fingers crossed for you all
Love and Hugs
Jewels
xo

Cel, Make sure you are as prepared as you can be. I went through Andrew in Miami years ago, and the only thing left standing was the bathroom. We had taken advice, and put two mattresses in the bathroom. We held them up at the window and the door, and although it about killed us to keep hold of them, it saved our butts. shock

I hope that it won't be anything like Andrew or Katrina. I will put you and your family in my prayers, and please keep us updated if at all possible.

Let us know as soon as it is all over.

The Mango family x wink

Is there no chance you can try again later? Are you out of gas now? Why don't they open up the other side of the freeways? I keep seeing pictures and clips with traffic chocka on one side and empty on the other.

Best of Luck.

??? <--worried monster

They have done this now but on the news, the authorities were saying they could not do it sooner for "logistical reasons", whatever they may have been.

Very best of luck Mick and Cel - wishing you a safe and secure next few days.

Some of the freeways have now been opened for exiting using both ways but not the one we have to get on evil

We had discussed trying again but we wont have enough gas and cant rely on finding any and also the first squalls are due early tomorrow and spending another 7 or 8 hours only going a few miles just doesnt seem worth it. We would rather be in our house than stuck on a freeway in our truck when the storm starts.Thank you all for your good wishes.

...letting the journalists in, by the look of things.... :roll:

Jeeze, they do it here for football games!

When I saw the news I wasn't suprised to read here that you turned back, cel. And like others have said, the pathetic reasons they were giving for the state of the traffic and why they couldn't open up the other side of the highway, you could tell they were fumbling. the first time I saw the question being asked - the answer given, it was as if a light bulb went on in their head to say "oh, why didn't we think of that!" then they had to think of a quick answer.

You and mick are in our thoughts and prayers and we look forward to hearing from you.

Wishing both you and Mick the very best of luck Cel. Stay safe. So sorry for all those people who seem to be stuck on the roads out there.

Thanks guys. At least we know Scott made it to Austin ok and is with friends. He left yeserday afternoon and arrived at 3 this morning.

I am glad you are not stuck out on the highway - I feel for all those people. Will be thinking of you and praying that you stay safe.

Good luck to you and your hubby Cel, i will be keeping you in my thoughts, stay safe.

Good luck Cel....fingers, toes, legs and eyes crossed for you both
Mandy

Blimey o'reilly cel, good luck gal.
btw turn all your fridges and freezers up to max....