An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Stay OUT!
Galveston Urges Residents Not to Return in Aftermath of Ike
The mayor of Galveston pleaded with residents not to return, saying the city’s resources are “stretched to the max” by Hurricane Ike’s devastation.
Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas, whose city was nearly wiped off the map 108 years ago by a hurricane and is now facing flooding, said a cruise ship will be sent to house those displaced by the storm as search and rescue operations continue.
If even the dead folks are trying to get the hell out, it’s a good indication Galveston is not a real good place to be right now!
“Sometimes the aftermath of the storm is worse than the storm itself,” Thomas said. City officials warned people to stay away from beaches because oil appeared to be floating on the water.
Galveston City Manager Steve LeBlanc said Monday that the city could no longer safely accommodate the population due to the lack of water, sewerage and gas services. He predicted it would take “days, weeks and months” to clean up the island.
“Quite frankly we are reaching a health crisis for the people who remain on the island,” LeBlanc said. At least a third of the community’s 60,000 residents remained in their homes.
At least a third obviously didn’t get the message to leave. (sarcasm) I’m not making light of the tragedy, but when you are told to leave, excuses are a dime a dozen. One had to be rescued because she was taking care of an elderly man. I’m questioning why she didn’t call for help to evacuate? How many man hours have been wasted by the people who thought staying was a good idea? How many lives have been put in danger rescuing the hardheaded?
More than 48 hours after Ike swamped the Gulf Coast, rescuers flew into a hard-to-reach area Monday and uncovered a swollen landscape: Hurricane Ike had swamped entire subdivisions, and emergency crews feared they would find more victims than survivors.
It was the first time anyone had gotten a look at the damaged resort barrier island of Bolivar Peninsula, just east of hard-hit Galveston. Homes were splintered or completely washed away in the beachfront community that is home to about 30,000 people in the peak summer season.
KHOU has a video of some of the devastation. To say it’s unbelievable is an understatement. I’m absolutely amazed anyone lived through that!
