Some relief in the wake of Hurricane Ike

Hello all -
The cold front has arrived and it is a pleasant night in the Houston area. This week's drier weather will surely help the crews who are working so hard to restore power. It will also help rescuers who still hope to find people okay. And it will help with the cleanup.

Things are a mess...it get's worse as you go east and toward the coast.

Here in the Sugar Land/Missouri City/Stafford area, things are slowly improving. There are still many neighborhoods without power. A few grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations are open. If you are heading in, I would suggest filling up about an hour or so outside of town. And, maybe pick up some groceries at that distance as well...there are slim pickings here. I tried to get some eggs tonight, but there weren't any. Keep in mind, that it is going to take some time for things to get back to normal.

It's interesting how things look on the other side of a storm's impact. You realize just how many creature comforts we enjoy and how painful it is not to have them.

I hope everyone is safe. I am grateful to all the heroes: the utility workers, the insurance adjusters, the weather folks, the media--on air and behind the scenes, the emergency management people, law enforcement, fire personnel, paramedics, doctors, nurses, medical assistants, restaurant workers (who are in many places already back in place), grocery workers, convenience store workers. And I'm sure I've missed some. But, if you have worked hard and extra during all of this...thank you so much!!! Your efforts are not in vain.

Goodnight...tomorrow I'll be back with my old format.

Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman

Dangerous Flooding with Ike aftermath rain

Good morning all -
While the remains of Ike are up in the midwest, a trail of storms extends all the way into southeast Texas...this line of storms is also preceding the approaching cold front. Heavy rain is pounding southeast Texas this am. Here is the latest Flash Flood Warning from the National Weather Service:

...A FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1130 AM CDT FOR... SOUTHEASTERN AUSTIN COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... BRAZORIA COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... CHAMBERS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... FORT BEND COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... GALVESTON COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... HARRIS COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... JACKSON COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... LIBERTY COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... MATAGORDA COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS... WHARTON COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS...*

The good news is that in a few hours, this rain will begin to move out as the cold front arrives. This will bring drier and much more pleasant weather (before the sun comes out and has a chance to heat everything up!). I'm sure the rain is hampering the efforts to return everyone to power. I know everyone is trying to be patient.

Remember to never cross a flooded roadway on foot or in a car. One foot (sometimes as little as 6 inches) can sweep a person off their feet. Two feet can sweep away a car. Just always remember, TURN AROUND, DON'T DROWN.

Be safe!
Cecilia Sinclair
Wonder Weather Woman