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On Tuesday, September 20, 2005 the Governor of Texas ordered a mandatory evacuation of all low lying coastal areas. With the threat of a category 5 hurricane named Rita looming in the Gulf of Mexico, less than a hundred hours from projected land fall on the upper Texas coast, state and local authorities prepared for a massive evacuation of some 2.5 million people. 2
The island city of Galveston was first on the list because of limited escape routes it’s particularly vulnerable to storm surge and high winds. Me, living in the mainland city of La Marque, some 15 miles inland made plans and began preparing to leave. First, I boarded up the flower shop and then the house to protect the properties as best I could. I planned to leave in the wee hours of Thursday morning.3
The wife, her mother and father, the daughter-in-law, the grandson, and the sister-in-law loaded up and departed for College Station Wednesday afternoon on what would normally be a three hour drive. 14 hours later they arrived at my daughter’s apartment. I packed some clothes, a snack and some water and left town headed for northeast Louisiana. 4
I chose, interstate 45, a major north/south highway between Galveston and Dallas. I, mistakenly thought, that would be the quickest way to go. Within 20 minutes I ran squarely into the mother of all traffic jams. The unprecedented scale of this evacuation soon caused all of the major arteries out of the area to become one very large parking lot. Progress was agonizing slow. I managed to make 40 miles in 10 hours and I was still in Houston. At least the first part of the trip wasn’t too bad but the conditions soon worsened. When the sun rose the temperature soared to over 100 degrees. The heat took its’ toll on the vehicles and the people inside them. I will say ,though, I didn’t see many tempers flare. In fact I saw many instances quite to the contrary. 5
Many people were more than willing to share what they had with complete strangers and offer a helping hand to those less fortunate than themselves. 6
I will say too that the state and local officials did everything they could to ensure public safety. It’s just the scale of the evacuation was beyond anyone’s ability to cope with it. Eventually I exited the highway and proceeded to an old family friend’s house. I was offered a meal, a shower and a bed. All of which I gladly accepted after my harrowing journey of 32 hours. 7
The storm passed by our area largely without incident. Just a few trees downed and some tin blown off an old shed. My sister wasn’t so lucky. A large tree fell on her home causing major damage but no injuries. 8
Now that I look back on my experience I’m worried that people will not heed future warnings of impending disaster. How soon they forget the chaos of Katrina and the wrath of Rita.9
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Author notes
photo: Somewhere in Houston on Interstate Highway 45
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Comments
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excellent...A+
very well written, my dear friend.....I don't believe we that have gone through the wrath of rita and katrina will ever forget that nightmare. I know I won't. I dont ever want to experience anything like that again. That is for sure. I am not into the "little house on the prairie" way of living. I'm a baby boomer...i gotta have my power and water tyvm..
excellent write my friend.. there... 3 rose story.
and a smillee thrown in...for good measure...
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Wow Leo you wrote this well.. you had me frozen inside your words. You had a gentle approach to this.. I bet you were exhausted. Are you home again?
Red -
The DFW area was flooded with people. Hotels and shelters full, all sharing the same story. Glad you found safe harbor, and that there were no injuries to you and those you love.
My half sister lives in East Texas...they had downed trees but nothing more, thank God. -
interesting sharing
Dearest Leo --
We are here for so many years and then we are in another, higher realm. Of course we are going to run into some difficulties from time to time. But: we will soon depart. No matter what our future holds, LOVE is invincible, and we are connected universally by HIS divine Highway -- non-obstructive, and in the fast lane.
Nevertheless, I am GLAD that you are safe, dearest Knight, for you have some more poetry to muse for us ladies on here -- and being a rolemodel for some male poets
Love
Myra
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Dear leo I am glad you had a friend who opened his heart to you. I`m sure it took a toll out of alot of people but that is also the time people join together and help each other the most. I`m sure it is not something anyone will forget. I do think beings in some places it didn`t hit hard that people will think they might ride it out next time and the one who got out and where hit hard will leave again next time.
You should of left when your family did!!!(Silly guy) Material things can be replaced you and your family are one of a kind and there is never gonna be one just like you. If there is ever a next time (i hope not ) go with them please! I am glad everyone is ok. May everyone effected by the hurricanes recover bigger and better, brighter and happy. Thanks for sharing xoxox -
I know what you mean. We all tend to have short memory spans. I do think Katrina and Rita will live on in our minds a little longer than any other disaster of this type, but sadly, eventually those memories will not be on the front burner anymore. I'm sorry for you harrowing day. That had to be excruciating, to say the least. So glad everyone is ok.
~Lyrical
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I think what you went through is much like going through the death of a loved one. No words can ever show the pain. I am so pleased you have written this. People who haven't gone through it need to know. well done leo.
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Very well written stoy, I felt fear for the people stuck in the huge traffic jam, 100 degrees, wow, I wouldn't be able to breathe in that heat!! Well written, but as said above, I don't think the people would forget Katrina or Rita. Good work.
Maria -
This is a well written story, and I know how it feels to be you. When Hurricane Katrina came, I did not leave my house. It is sad that not even the world is a safe place
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Dear Leo,
No we won't forget! We still haven't forgotten the hurricane the blitzed a path up the entire eastern coast from the Carolina's to Maine in the late 60's. I still remember, the sky literally turned green! It's not so much the forgetting, or life getting "back to normal", for me, it's what we do after to ensure that if and when it happens again, what we've done to prepare ourselves. You told this with brutal clarity. How you got such a clear pic through the windshield is awesome! I know your Vin # hahahah ...!! You are as talented a photograper as you are a poet. I think though,for me, I would have liked to know the thoughts racing through your mind while all was happening. Was there one thing that stood out while you were inching along. I have to admit though, being a Jersey girl, the fact that no one was driving the shoulder was pretty damn good! Here, there would have been three or more lanes. The two or three your on, and the shoulder! The best part of your story is knowing that you and your family are all safe. In the end, that is what matters!
~Michelle~
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An insiders view of what was a harrowing experience if only for the possibilities that raced through your mind as you sat for those endless miles. My nature leave you always unscathed and your sister's home soon be restored a place of safe harbor.
I have to wonder, what of you Leo? Will you leave the next time?
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This story was well written, and you told it very clearly however I disagree that people will forget the chaos of Katrina - these things seem not to happen in America, in fact they become the importance of the future - like 9/11 in New York. Yes, it seems that many have forgotten the Tsunami and the horrificness that the people there are living with, but is this to do with human faults or with the situation of the location in which the tsunami happened? =/
Glad to hear that you weren't hurt; didnt lose anything of importance
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