# Aarrggh. Hurricane headed our way **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 24, 2017, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517 "2017-08-24T03:20:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/181 "2017-08-28T01:47:51Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Harvey has parked his fat ass in just about the worst possible location for Houston. > > For those interested, look at [this image.](http://i.imgur.com/oNwapnb.jpg) > > See the I-10 marker in the center with the word TOLL above it? That is the intersection of I-10 and Beltway 8 west, and it’s about 4 miles from our house and the Taekwondo school. > > So far, no damage to the house. The streets are flooded and we have some water in our yard, but we still have power. We will continue to binge-watch The West Wing and keep you posted. My parents live roughly where the “r” in Sugar Land is on that map, and at last update, they were doing ok- still had power, no water in the house (or more than a few inches into the yard actually). The scariest thing was that the toilets were burbling and making ominous sounds earlier in the day. And FWIW, my parents are also on more or less what counts for high ground. No flooding at \*all \*during Allison, Ike or any of the more recent floods. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/182 "2017-08-28T02:27:30Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Why are you not evacuated? Seriously. I’d keep the “bug out kit” ready, just in case the evac orders come. meanwhile if you are on high ground stay inside. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/183 "2017-08-28T02:34:41Z")
> [@bump](#): > > My parents live roughly where the “r” in Sugar Land is on that map, and at last update, they were doing ok- still had power, no water in the house (or more than a few inches into the yard actually). The scariest thing was that the toilets were burbling and making ominous sounds earlier in the day. > > And FWIW, my parents are also on more or less what counts for high ground. No flooding at \*all \*during Allison, Ike or any of the more recent floods. I saw a hint I’d never seen before - put a bunch of ice in the washing machine when you know power loss is imminent and put things you’d go into the fridge for more often (drinks for me); then you won’t even be tempted to open the fridge when the power’s out and it’ll stay colder. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/184 "2017-08-28T02:54:50Z")
> [@bump](#): > > My parents live roughly where the “r” in Sugar Land is on that map, and at last update, they were doing ok- still had power, no water in the house (or more than a few inches into the yard actually). The scariest thing was that the toilets were burbling and making ominous sounds earlier in the day. > > And FWIW, my parents are also on more or less what counts for high ground. No flooding at \*all \*during Allison, Ike or any of the more recent floods. The problem as I understand it is that the areas prone to flooding have already accumulated more water than in the past and the areas that are high ground are starting to get more water than they have in the past as well. I understand evacuating everyone in Harris, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties isn’t realistic but this shit is getting really bad, really fast. I have several family members and many life long friends in the area and I am very concerned what may happen if this doesn’t let up soon. Fresh water and power will only last so long if the rain keeps coming like it is currently. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/185 "2017-08-28T08:51:48Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Because we are on, what is for Houston, high ground. Geographically if not morally. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/186 "2017-08-28T15:48:55Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Again, the senators voted against Sandy relief because it was laden with unrelated pork. If Cruz and Cornyn begin lobbying to include pork in Harvey relief, _then_, _yes_, they’d be 100% hypocrites. Define “unrelated pork.” Pork is IMHO a glittering generality that conveys nothing more than the speaker’s disapproval of the particular expenditure. [QUOTE=Sen. Ted Cruz] the Congressional Budget Office estimates that only 30% of the authorized funds would be spent in the next 20 months, and over a billion dollars will be spent as late as 2021. [/QUOTE] :dubious: If that’s his criteria for pork, I’m not convinced. Disaster relief is more than just rescuing people and sheltering and feeding them until they can go home. Sandy destroyed and severely damaged vital infrastructure, which then needs to be repaired. Those are capital projects that aren’t even going to have started when the last refugee has gone home. Indeed, that work is still ongoing years after Sandy. [Link.](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/03/nyregion/mta-l-train-shutdown-15-months.html) Disasters often highlight shortcomings in infrastructure, etc. Restoring things to the _status quo ante_, out of a fear that improving or upgrading them would be perceived as “pork”, would prove fiscally irresponsible when the next disaster strikes. Were post-Katrina repairs and upgrades to the levees protecting New Orleans pork as well? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/187 "2017-08-28T16:12:24Z")
> [@John\_Bredin](#): > > Were post-Katrina repairs and upgrades to the levees protecting New Orleans pork as well? :rolleyes: ‘Way-ull… It ain’t rainin’ _now_.’ ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/188 "2017-08-28T16:31:05Z")
> [@bump](#): > > My parents live roughly where the “r” in Sugar Land is on that map, and at last update, they were doing ok- still had power, no water in the house (or more than a few inches into the yard actually). The scariest thing was that the toilets were burbling and making ominous sounds earlier in the day. > > And FWIW, my parents are also on more or less what counts for high ground. No flooding at \*all \*during Allison, Ike or any of the more recent floods. That’s about the same area my brother lives in. Yesterday, they had all the creature comforts. Today, they got a mandatory evacuation warning, by tonight. Water levels are expected to exceed the 200 year flood level protecting them. They’re relocating to San Antonio for the duration, and I’ve requested the time off work to help them clean up when the waters recede. Shit’s crazy down there. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/189 "2017-08-28T16:50:19Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Will this be enough to teach shitbag Republican senators to not play politics with disaster relief? No, of course not. They’re probably convinced that Chris Christie hugging Obama cost Romney the 2012 election. > > I know it is tilting at windmills, but I’ll be urging all my elected representatives to send no federal money to Texas. They want to be their own country? Go for it. Rick Perry, Greg Abbott, and Dan Patrick have a personal hotline to Jesus. Two wrongs don’t make a right, dude. The reason I vote Democrat is because our politicians don’t do this kind of crap when lives and livelihoods are in danger. Especially since the Republicans did eventually allow money to be spent. Perhaps there is a compromise in which Democrats vote for the funding bill but put in an amendment of non-binding language such as. “Where as the supporters of this amendment recognize that it is the duty of the federal government to aid American residents in need in times of natural disaster regardless of the political philosophy of said residents. And whereas we recognize that this rises above any petty partisan squabbles that may otherwise separate this august body such as those presented against the funding of relief for hurricane Sandy victims, we hereby…” If Cruz votes for a bill with that in it he can have his relief. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/190 "2017-08-28T17:56:14Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Two wrongs don’t make a right, dude. The reason I vote Democrat is because our politicians don’t do this kind of crap when lives and livelihoods are in danger. Especially since the Republicans did eventually allow money to be spent. Perhaps there is a compromise in which Democrats vote for the funding bill but put in an amendment of non-binding language such as. > > “Where as the supporters of this amendment recognize that it is the duty of the federal government to aid American residents in need in times of natural disaster regardless of the political philosophy of said residents. And whereas we recognize that this rises above any petty partisan squabbles that may otherwise separate this august body such as those presented against the funding of relief for hurricane Sandy victims, we hereby…” > > If Cruz votes for a bill with that in it he can have his relief. That is a major reason Republicans are in power now. No matter how shitty they act, they know Democrats will come together to protect the American people. Even now that they control every area of the federal government, they can’t get anything done but still blame Democrats for everything currently wrong in the country. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/191 "2017-08-28T19:50:50Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > There are areas that were requested to evacuate. Others were told to sit in place. You don’t want 8 million people on the roads. That’s a recipe for disaster much bigger than the flooding. Damn, **Okra** , I’m actually going to agree with something you posted. If the authorities haven’t said people living where **Clothy** is living should evacuate, then **Clothy** should sit tight, and keep his cell phone charged up as long as he has power. And **Clothy** , whatever our disagreements have been, good luck to you and She Who Must Be Obeyed in getting through this. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/192 "2017-08-28T19:56:12Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I know it is tilting at windmills, but I’ll be urging all my elected representatives to send no federal money to Texas. And by all means, dampen their chances of winning reelection. Democratic representatives are usually held by voters to a different standard. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/193 "2017-08-28T20:02:05Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Much of the Sandy pork went to [Republican states.](http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/27/ted-cruz-demands-federal-money-texas-floods-blocking-hurricane-sandy-relief.html) > > Quote from the Forbes article. “… the pork came from Republicans like Cruz, who demanded to be paid off to support disaster relief …” That is absolutely disgusting. WHY does that fuck keep getting elected??? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/194 "2017-08-28T21:10:55Z")
Because he’s not the only one. Other absolutely disgusting people have the vote, and they use it to elect him. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/195 "2017-08-28T22:12:48Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > “… the pork came from Republicans like Cruz, who demanded to be paid off to support disaster relief …” > > That is absolutely disgusting. WHY does that fuck keep getting elected??? Cruz has only been elected once. Beto O’Rourke announced a campaign against him some time ago. Cruz has been “campaigning”–meeting in carefully protected settings around the state. And doing PR on Facebook as a simulacrum of a human being. Somehow, he hasn’t been able to meet with constituents in his hometown of Houston. It will be tough but we really hope to dump him. ---
**Author:** ![Trafalgar\_Laura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trafalgar_laura/32/2907_2.png) [@Trafalgar\_Laura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trafalgar_Laura)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/196 "2017-08-28T23:00:48Z")
Cruz is a nightmare… but he won’t be voted out of office unless people who are still here vote against him. I’ll keep doing that, and doing what else I can, although here in Austin I’m mostly surrounded by fellow liberals. As for us getting hit by hurricanes and not helping others… I donated some (small amounts) of money and also volunteered for a few weeks through the Red Cross to help at the convention center where several victims of Katrina had been sent. I did data entry and also did ‘floor’ work, walking around helping people with small things and, more importantly, listening to what they needed to say. It was very stressful but rewarding. I was surrounded by fellow Texans doing the same. The fact that some of us are assholes and some of us elect monsters doesn’t mean that the third largest state in the U.S. is a monolith, nor does it mean we all deserve to get washed out into the sea because some idiots voted against Sandy or Katrina relief, possibly against the will of a reasonable proportion of the electorate. I mean, the United States elected Trump, does that mean other countries should refuse to help if we have a bad enough disaster? Do the people of the entire United States deserve to suffer, even the people who fought and protested and voted against him? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/197 "2017-08-28T23:18:00Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Cruz has only been elected once. > > Beto O’Rourke announced a campaign against him some time ago. Cruz has been “campaigning”–meeting in carefully protected settings around the state. And doing PR on Facebook as a simulacrum of a human being. Somehow, he hasn’t been able to meet with constituents in his hometown of Houston. > > It will be tough but we really hope to dump him. For some reason I thought he was around longer than one term. I guess it’s like having a boil on your ass - it just feels like a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Hocus\_Pocus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/41988e/32.png) [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/198 "2017-08-28T23:42:14Z")
The following song is for Joel Osteen, who has refused to open his 17,000 seat tax-free church to flooding victims… [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RVXjBMK3EkI/maxresdefault.jpg "The Hooters - Satellite (Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVXjBMK3EkI) ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/199 "2017-08-28T23:45:39Z")
Well, at least those in Houston will be comforted to know that the president was thinking about them… And the ratings they’d lend to his pardon announcement. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517/200 "2017-08-28T23:46:07Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Much of the Sandy pork went to [Republican states.](http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/27/ted-cruz-demands-federal-money-texas-floods-blocking-hurricane-sandy-relief.html) Ewww, sandy pork. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aarrggh-hurricane-headed-our-way/794517.md?page=11)