Post #407969 by PremEx on Mon, Sep 15, 2008 10:58 AM

We left Houston for the island of Maui on our long-scheduled vacation on the 7th, at which time it was uncertain Ike would even be a major problem for Houston. We're here until the 20th so naturally we missed it all and are currently safe and sound basking in the Hawaiian sun, sucking up Mai Tais and sucking down Pupus. But our apartment did not fair as well. We've been told by management that the roof leaked into it and there is some damage from that. But mostly it survived a lot better than many. Going to have the joy of opening the refrigerator and seeing what sort of mess that's gonna be after many days without electricity. Yuck. Just hope the electricity is back on by the time we get back. And hope we CAN get back on the 20th!

Neighbors and friends that we've managed to get through to tell us it's a war zone in the entire area. Streets are littered and blocked with debris. No power, low water pressure, have to boil tap water (if you got a source of heat), no gasoline at the pumps, food getting short for many. Generally not fun at all.

But worse still for me, is that my employer's place of business was totally destroyed (the entire roof was ripped away) and I have no idea what's going on with that and if or when he plans on getting up and running again.

A lot of overloaded phone lines and cell towers down. Frustrating not to be able to get through to friends to check status and such. But we're certainly better off than many.

Alice...if you're reading this...hope you and yours are safe. Hang in there!