For those of you who don't know, I live in Houston, Texas. We got word this morning we're going to have a bit of a rain shower this weekend. So I thought I would check in and give the community a live on the ground explanation.
First, Bonddad and Mr$. Bonddad are fine. Our house is in the 500 year floodplain. We are nowhere near a bayou. And the house was built to withstand a category 4 hurricane. So while we aren't thrilled by the approaching storm we are hunkering down with the dogs, a few books and plenty of canned goods. What a thrill.
A word on the city. My mayor can beat up your mayor. Houston mayor Bill White is the man. The city has been working wonderfully under his leadership. If ever there was a great example of a person who can help to make a city and government work, it's White. He was great during the last hurricane scare in 2006, and this one is no exception. While is calm and reassuring -- you get the feeling that all of the appropriate agencies are doing what they are supposed to do.
And everybody else who is in charge of doing things deserves credit as well. The city officials of all stripes are doing great work. For reasons unbeknownst to Bonddad, there are tons of judges involved in various leadership positions. And they are all doing a really good job as well.
The city learned a great deal from the evacuation of 2006. While traffic out of the city was badly congested, the state had a set of trucks that drove along the road to offer gas to motorists who ran out or help fixing a flat or some other minor problem.
And then there are my fellow Texans who have been great. I had to pick-up a prescription yesterday. While I was standing in line I had a great dose of Texan attitude. "Hell, fire up the BBQ tonight to get some things going and then ride this thing out."
For those of you who want to keep track of the story from the local media, I would recommend the following:
Click2Houston
KTRH
Houston Traffic
Anyway -- I'm fine, Mr$. Bonddad is fine and the dogs are fine. And I'll be back up and running on Monday or Tuesday depending on the power situation.