Rita Update

This morning, Michael and I went with our friends, James, Lisa, Mason, and Bethany to help some of their neighbors get ready for Rita. We took down two trampolines, which fly to away when there is a strong wind. One of the neighbors left with a back yard full of "projectiles," so we put their grills, wheel barrels, and other yard items in a safer place. We also went to the Texaco station in Katy and passed out cold cups of water to people who were in line trying to get gas. It is amazing what a cool cup of water can do for folks at certain times in their lives. Most of these folks were from south of Houston.

The station was closed, however, if you had a credit card you could get gas from the pumps. Some people had been driving for over 24 hours to get 60 miles. The freeways are finally flowing now, so these folks were able to get a litte father down the road. The sad thing was that there was only gas for about ten more cars, and over 30 were in line. One man asked if we had a hotel available. He thought I was crazy when I said in Oklahoma -- but that is what we have been told. We ran out of water and left as the policemen began telling the motorists who had been waiting in line for a long time that this station would not have enough gas for them.


Katy is experiencing some 20-25 mph winds right now. It hasn't started raining yet. Rita moved even further east. I think she is afraid of the Katy "Tigers."