This may be "THE BIG ONE" for my part of Texiz, tho' more severe for the immediate coastal area and possibly my cousin's bailiwick in the Rio Grande Valley (See: Weslaco TX) and northern Messiko. It seems to be steering to strike somewhere from the Corpus area to the border. Either way, San Antonio will be facing serious dangers, perhaps so soon as Friday...EEEEEK! (See: "Holeeeeee Sheeeet!")
If Ike passes to SA's SW we won't get the very worst of it since the 9-12 O'clock quadrant is the most dangerous but we'll likely catch Hell anyway due to wind damage, flooding, and tornados spun off by the storm. If it tracks E. of or directly at us, Yoli may wind up being the little dead girl who lives here. Frankly, I AM spooked.
I thought about heading north, maybe to Oklahoma where I have all sorts of invitiations of which to avail myself, but I need to be available to my cuz in the Valley and assist Ash(leigh) in a "first responder" role re BG's coastal cabin and, of course, the wonderland wherein the two of us dwell. Besides, the Sooners are playing an "away" game v. U. of Washington so I wouldn't have that to enjoy.
I can't talk my dumbass cuz into evac'ing from Weslaco!
One of my bosses has reserved a helicopter and pilot to be on standby if we need to "rescue" my cuz and/or get to what remains, if anything, of the coastal place. There will be little chance of going into the storm-struck areas by car or truck...not even the Hummer will be allowed in by the authorities. That irritates me 'cause we could convoy the Hummer and the bassboat tow vehicle, both loaded with bottled water, food, and other needful things to help the folks down there.
Ash(leigh) ordered a trusted local coastal gentleman to get BG's big offshore fishing boat under way and make all possible speed for a well-protected berth further up the coast. He was told to take his wife and three little ones, so well as their pets, aboard too (Good-hearted Ash[leigh]) She should arrive at the safe haven this PM, having departed home port pre-dawn today and can cruise at up to 45 MPH if you don't mind an extra fueling stop now and then. The smaller (21') saltwater "Flats" boat has already been trailered up here and currently resides in a friend's tractor barn as of y'day afternoon. I wish I could store it with the bass boat. Maybe they'd take a liking to each other and make little baby boats...Awwwwwww.
Even the Big House is vulnerable, though built to last, since there are huge trees all over the place. There is one fairly high ridgeline that shields us on one side but that may not matter.
Our little slice of Heaven, the carriage house apartment, is at risk too. On the bright side, unlike most homes in the area, we have a separate underground cellar left over from days long gone by. We've already had it de-bugged, cleaned, and stocked with goodies (to include adult beverages:D) and "furnished". Both Ash(leigh) and I will be toting weapons...just in case. There is a Honda portable generator to run lights and appliances.
Did I say "Spooked"...screw that! I'm "askeert", as one of our neighbors puts it. He sent his family to Dallas by car and he's gonna fly his little airplane up tomorrow, landing at Redbird Airport.
Well, that's the latest. Prayers appreciated.
Will report as dictated by circumstance and developments. IF we have power.
Yoli
