"Mobile homes" flipped

For the conspiracy buffs: We accuse the local forecasters and weather people of being on the payroll of the Chambers of Commerce here in the RGV (Rio Grande Valley of Texas). Proof: They often predict perfect weather coming up in three days. Just stick around.

As I travel around Texas, I have never seen the facility that can house and feed a couple of million evacuees. I know that there are multiple highways leaving Houston, but which one takes people to this wonderful place? Is there a special one for the folks that can afford it called Colorado?

If the Mayor had told those that don't know enough, four days out to leave, there would have been some still in dire straights but not a many.
Years ago we had a local weather bureau, with accurate forecasts.
A Radio and TV Personality many of us knew privately and a public figure would advise business and Employees they should leave early and so on.
A lot,of people owed their safety to him and the Weather Bureau.
A Businessman didn't like it as he wanted Employees to stay until they couldn't get home. Not his problem if they couldn't.
Enough pressure was brought to bear on the stations to not let him advise Employees and the Weather Bureau not to issue such advise.
There was two occasions, I remember of Employees of downtown Businesses Employees, being stuck at the Employers over the weekend and in one case a week.
No pay and no food and power outages too so no heat.
Next Election our ed Senators and Congressman succeeded in getting the local Weather Bureau closed too.
A result, as expected,above.
The Mayor could have issued an order to evacuate earlier but didn't. Business People wouldn't like the loss of expected business.
Roads jammed? As in Ga and the Carolinas, they turn both, sides of Interstate to outbound traffic only. How many Interstates out of Houston?I've lost count not to mention Texas Highways with broad shoulders that slower traffic will use, to let people in a hurry go by.
Then the Airports round the clock evacuation, but FEMA nor Texas though about emergency panning for round the clock evacuation by aircraft planning.It wouldn't solve the total problem but could have handled a huge chunk of the problems.
At any rate i would like to bee able to help but I would be an obstacle, right now.
If FEMA will even let Volunteers, in and direct them is perhaps a problem, remembering what happened with Katrina.
At Churches they will be filling vans or semis.
Large Mobile kitchens and refrigerated supply trucks,and large Generator trucks such as there is one outfit on the mountain will undoubtedly be headed that way.
Any of you able to go thank you

valhalla360 wrote:

They knew about the storm for well over a week.
Yes, it's a huge task to move that many people but a hurricane is not a surprise.

I'm curious as to where you got your fact that people knew about the storm for well over a week. Apparently you know more than the National Hurricane Center.
The storm hit the coast on Friday. Two days previous on Wednesday the wind speed was 35 mph. It would be very tough to convince millions of people to evacuate given what was known on Wednesday. At that point the public was warned of possible hurricane conditions. Keep in mind that assuming you can get those people to move, you also need a place to put them all.

The real surprise was how quickly the storm intensified the day before it hit the coast, which was why more didn't evacuate.

Mortimer Brewster wrote:

My point here is that Thursday was a day of huge change. If someone was either working or not paying attention to the news that day they could have very easily been caught unprepared. I'm appalled at the callous attitude and ignorance of some posts. Not surprised, just appalled.

Not surprising that so many want to feel smug, smarter,and superior to those who do not have a RV ready to take them to safety. I would not want to be one of the five percent that could not get out. The rich folks would most likely be in good shape. I don't think many of them remained at risk anyway. Does anyone on here really think that people with the wherewithal are sitting in Houston with no water, no electricity, no food, and trying to survive while standing in four feet of water? Not many would make that choice, if they had a choice.

Those that think mandatory evacuation of a city the size of Houston is a good idea, should consider the deaths at a big soccer game. It does not happen during the game but when the fools charge the exit. For the guy who pointed out that the highways could carry a lot of traffic. That is true, but where are they going? Will their family, friends, medications, and special needs be waiting for them when they get where??

I feel pretty rich since i am not having to deal with Harvey. But not smugly rich.

We winter in Aransas Pass Tx. Have friends who had to get out quick when things changed. What do ins. companys do, do they pay for camper damage? Or do they say, " why didn't you get it out of harms way" coverage denied? We summer in Illinois. So not familiar with it all!

drsteve wrote:
A lot of people do not have these options. Unreliable or no vehicle, no money, nowhere to stay, family members who cannot travel... life deals everyone a different hand.

Sorry having no money or being disabled doesn't mean you can't evacuate.

There are a ton of gov agencies, charities, churches, and the like that are there to help the less fortunate for free, IF they choose to seek help.

And the advance warning of hurricanes gives them plenty of time to seek that help BEFORE it's too late. Not making plans for a disabled family member in advance of a pending hurricane is just unconscionable.

Heck a homeless person could get help out of town if he wanted to! :W

TomG2 wrote:

I did some quick calculating. At three people per vehicle, it would have taken one million cars stretching over 5,000 miles to totally evacuate Houston. That and a lot of spare beds. Not everyone has the ability to jump in their car and drive to safety.

A single 4 lane freeway (2 in each direction) can handle about 200,000 vehicles per day (assuming they route all traffic in the same direction).

I count 5 freeways departing inland and/or away from the storm, many with more than 4 lanes. This is in addition to numerous non-freeway alternative routes.

They knew about the storm for well over a week.

Yes, it's a huge task to move that many people but a hurricane is not a surprise. They literally have hurricane evacuation plans all laid out and updated at the cost of millions each year.

If we were talking about 5% of the population couldn't get out, I might buy it but the vast majority choose to stay.

How many just figured its a good way to get an insurance payout and left the RV behind? RV comprehensive insurance would cover you in most cases in such a disaster, as its not anything like flood insurance on real property.

rockhillmanor wrote:
Well I think I can see both sides.

I lived in tornado alley where all the warning you got if you were lucky was a siren going off just minutes before your house was lifted off the foundation and you are running calling Auntie Em, Auntie Em. I've sustained serious damage from 2 tornado hits on two of my houses.

I now have a winter home in Florida and have stayed during the summer months also which means Hurricane Season.

I'm sorry but maybe it's because I have lived with and been exposed to 'instant' disaster with no warning. But...

I kinda DO have a problem with people who do not pack up, move what they have to when a hurricane is predicted to hit where they are located. Especially when they are give A WEEK IN ADVANCE notice to do so. I'd of given my eye teeth to have that kind of advanced warning when the tornado hit my house. :(

So I don't have a lot of sympathy for those that say that they caught by the surprise of a hurricane. :R

Now I have all my important papers in a waterproof container, The MH outside is filled with water, gas, and propane at all times.

Since I have been down here in Florida I have packed up and moved out of dangers way twice. Taking my time to pack and go because with hurricanes I do get a weeks advance notice. Can't do that with a tornado coming down from the skies bearing down on your butt. :C

A lot of people do not have these options. Unreliable or no vehicle, no money, nowhere to stay, family members who cannot travel... life deals everyone a different hand.

Well I think I can see both sides.

I lived in tornado alley where all the warning you got if you were lucky was a siren going off just minutes before your house was lifted off the foundation and you are running calling Auntie Em, Auntie Em. I've sustained serious damage from 2 tornado hits on two of my houses.

I now have a winter home in Florida and have stayed during the summer months also which means Hurricane Season.

I'm sorry but maybe it's because I have lived with and been exposed to 'instant' disaster with no warning. But...

I kinda DO have a problem with people who do not pack up, move what they have to when a hurricane is predicted to hit where they are located. Especially when they are give A WEEK IN ADVANCE notice to do so. I'd of given my eye teeth to have that kind of advanced warning when the tornado hit my house. :(

So I don't have a lot of sympathy for those that say that they caught by the surprise of a hurricane. :R

Now I have all my important papers in a waterproof container, The MH outside is filled with water, gas, and propane at all times.

Since I have been down here in Florida I have packed up and moved out of dangers way twice. Taking my time to pack and go because with hurricanes I do get a weeks advance notice. Can't do that with a tornado coming down from the skies bearing down on your butt. :C