Hurricane Rita

[Phischy]

I know there are a bunch of Texas reefers on this board. Ya'll prepping for what may be a whalloping by H. Rita? Looks like she's gonna get up to Cat 4 and the entire TX coast line is her prime target, although nothing will be known for sure for another 24 to 36hrs. My folks in Katy TX are getting ready to head for high ground if she turns northwest and gets uppity. Just seein' what ya'll are plannin' on doin'.

 

[fireFISH]

I go to school at TAMUG (Texas A&M University at Galveston), and when the voluntary evacuation for the island went into effect, I sure as hell listened. I'm staying with my parents in Houston for now, but of course we may be moving even higher and farther into Texas as the storm's projected path becomes clearer. I'm just hoping that I don't end up like some of those Tulane students who don't even have a school to go back to yet. Stay safe if you're on the Gulf Coast, let's hope it veers another direction, or even better and it just dies out.

 

[djconn]

I've been getting nervous as I'm only about and hour and a half from the TX coast here in San Antonio. Its been 95-98 degrees here during the day and my tanks won't last more than a day with out power for AC. Keeping my fingers crossed...

 

[sadielynn]

Keeping all you folks in Ritas paths in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[incysor]

My wife went out yesterday and got canned food, propane, and batteries for flashlights and airpumps. We're borrowing a friends small generator, and I'll get gas for it tonight as well as for both vehicles, and fill up all our camping water containers. I live in a central part of Houston called 'The Heights', and it's called that because it's on higher ground than most of Houston. During Allison a few years back when Houston got flooded so badly, I went home the night before and it was raining. The next morning I was driving around the neighborhood looking for a new apartment, and had no idea how bad the flooding was until I got to one of the freeways that borders the neighborhood, and could look down on the tops of submerged tractor-trailers. I'm slightly concerned about flooding, and tornados, but not seriously. I'm more concerned about power outages, and the fact that a huge number of Houston's repair crews are in New Orleans still. They're predicting that worst case parts of town may end up without power for up to three weeks because of a shortage of crews.

My wife's Father lives in Galveston, so he's going to be evacuating to our place. If things start to look really bad we have a ton of friends in Austin that are offering everyone places to go. I'd just hate to head to Austin, then come back and find that the house is fine, but the tanks died because the power was out for a day or so.

B

 

[Jennie]

I'm just north of Corpus and as it stands now we might not get it TOO bad so I feel for you guys that are further north!

Hope everything goes ok for everyone!

 

[mikeguerrero]

Wow,

This is serious, I hope if Rita does touch land she weakens to a tropical depression or better yet vears another way out in the gulf.

Most of you that are in her touch and have tanks should prepare like incysor, at least battery driven airpumps to keep the tanks with oxygen.

You can also start to reduce the time on your lights, down to at least half. This will prep your corals to anticipate a weather change; I read in a book that in the wild some corals can predict weather changes and not expand to exhuast energy during times like this.

If your lights are reduced, they will start to react, they are intelligent animals and preparing them for a storm is your best bet.

Here is California, I dread the quake that is talked about. We are on a second floor and if it did hit, it's over for my tank. There would be nothing I can do. The only prep I have is that I placed my tank next to some beams in the wall.

I plan on driving three braces that clip on the edge of the tank and into the studs. This will only give my tank a chance to rock back in forth with the complex, but a large quake will destroy all.

Mike

 

[fireFISH]

Classes at A&M Galveston have been cancelled through Monday....normally I'd be happy but this is definitely a special case. I've brought everything back with me from my campus apartment, dont want to take any chances seeing as how Rita's gonna hit Galveston hard. We've got four packs of water, 40 bottles in each, as well as D batteries and flash lights.

Hope everyone stays safe and dry, pray for us......

 

[incysor]

If we decide to evac to Austin tomorrow night, we'll spend several hours taking rock out of the tanks and capturing the fish and put them and the corals in a couple coolers. I'll have to pack some lights, PH, skimmer, etc... I've got a friend that has an empty tank, but nothing else. I think this would be a huge pain in the ass. I just got a company email stating that we'll be closed tomorrow and Friday, so at least I'll have time to deal with it tomorrow if we decide to go this route.

:sad:

B

 

[mikeguerrero]

Wow,

B, it's getting more serious by the hour. Your company is anticipating some concerns. I would start the evacuation as soon as you get off work.

I wish I could help you catch your animals and help you pack your rocks; I know you'd help me; just our nature to help one another.

Keep us updated B, so other reefers in Texas can follow your lead.

Mike

 

[incysor]

Pretty much the entire city is battening down the hatches. I think the decision to close tomorrow and Friday was mainly to let people get prepared if they're gonna stay, or get outta town if they're leaving. Apparently there isn't a hotel room to be had in any major city in the state at this point. Luckily that isnt really an issue for us since we'll be staying with friends. Shannen, and I and her Father will decide either this evening or tomorrow what we're gonna do, and if we're gonna leave, we probably won't head out until the middle of the night Thursday night to try to avoid some of the traffic issues.

I'll be sure to post to let folks know what we decided and where we are.

B

 

[Jennie]

I just spent 2 hours loading 25 miniature horses in trailers to be hauled north, and there are still more to be taken care of. I've purchased the battery operated pumps and have been cutting down on the lights since Monday, so I think that I have done what I can for now. Any oother ideas floating out there feel free to express them :???:

 

[Phischy]

I spoke to my folks this morning. They're making tracks for Austin tomorrow evening. They expect the 3hr drive to last 12. They're more worried about wind damage since they live in an old planted pine stand and so they boarded up the windows to prevent limbs etc.. from coming through the house. And after Katrina, they're taking no chances.

I told them if they needed me, I'd be there to help the cleanup.

 

[mikeguerrero]

Jennie,

Thanks for cutting down your lights, I'll find the thread where they talk about how corals can detect weather patterns and adjust to them accordingly. The author suggest that when you cut the lighting pattern at home they will react as if in the wild and go into defense mood; energy is wasted when they expand and there is no lights the next day.

It was an interesting find that I read and wanted to share with you reefers in the wake of a brewing storm.

Incysor also suggest that lights be gradually increased when introducing your corals to a higher level of lighting. I followed his advice when my corals went from there holding tank with only 70 watts of MH to 300 watt MH there new home. My corals were happy and adjusted nicely, thanks B.

Mike

 

[Jennie]

Would appriciate the links Mike. My tanks lights had been off cycle and caused alot of stress to some corals and loses of others. This storm was the last thing I wanted to see.

 

[incysor]

Good luck Jennie.

I'm heading out of the office now, to get to work on finishing up getting ready for the storm. I'll log back in later this evening.

B

 

[Jennie]

Same to you guys too!

 

[Phischy]

Holy Schnikies, she's a Cat 5 now! This thing has blown up today, I hope she loses steam.

Worse comes to worse guys, get the hell outta dodge. :sad:

 

[dragon79]

dude this sucks! I should say Hurricanes and what not. It's messing up everybody's lives, and have them moving like the world is coming to an end. Some scary stuff, now I'm thinking if all of this is happening over there, is California to expect an Earthquake or something? Sheesh! I'm sorry for all of you who are dealing with all of this Hurricane Rita, but hope things pan out for you.

 

[incysor]

We're gonna decide tomorrow afternoon whether we need to take off or not.
There's still stuff that needs to be done around the house like taping the windows and stuff. Since we live in one of the highest points in the city I'm only really worried about the wind blowing stuff into the house, and power outages...and only the outages because of the tanks. We go camping a couple times a year where you have to bring everything with you, and haul it back out, so a few days without electricity isn't really much of a concern, it's just like we spend our vacations.

B