Houston and Ike

We here in the Kalamazoo, MI area are dealing with flooding like I've never seen (9-12" inches of rain in 3 days [Pacific's Lowell plus Gulf's Ike], plus 3-5" more last weekend [Gulf's Gustav]), but it pales in comparison to the devastation our Sunfish compadres in Houston and Galveston are facing. The images on television are quite distressing. Yet, there's no news on our message board about the effects, how and where people are, how the clubs held up (or not), etc. Anyone on line that you can provide some details?

Yes. It would be nice to hear from people. We are all thinking of you and praying for you.

There is some conversation here:
http://www.laserforum.org/hurricane-ike-update-t10092.html

Destruction, depends on where you were.

My brother-in-law lives in League City (between Houston and Galveston) and the flood water came within 3-4 feet. The electricity was back on in two days, undergound utilities. Ash Beatty lives in the neighorhood just to the south. He slept thru it...no damage.

Looking at pics, it looks like Houston YC left all their boats at the club. Sunfish, Lasers, 420, Optis are strewn across the property.

The surge was not as high as expected. Also the mayor of Houston told his people to sit tight. He didn't want them stranded on the road trying to evacuate.

Just an observation: I'm not sure why so many boat owners left their boats at the marinas. I know the MS Gulf Coast, they run and hide in the bayous and back lakes.

To look at pictures go the message board located on the NOYC website: www.noyc.org

Pictures of Houston YC and Lakewood YC

Have been posted on the messageboard of www.NOYC.org

These pictures are new

Although I do not (yet) have a "fish", I do have a Lone Star 16 sailboat and three kayaks. My love for the water takes me to several excellent forums. Both have been a good and accurate first hand source to keep up with the storm damage.

The Texas Kayak Fisherman website (www.texaskayakfisherman.com) has even set up a special Ike section to their already active and informative forum. A good number of the participants live on or close to the coast and have been a great source of true information instead of the news "sensationalism". TKF is also coordinating food and other assistance for the storm victims.

Another site is www.trailersailor.com. The forum on this site is loaded with information and photos of the damage. One member in Oregon was able to find out the status of a family boat at Clear Lake within a few hours of the storm's passing.

I hope that these site recommendations will be of help to you.

Mike in Dallas