Harvey ... !@#$%

[earntaz]

All my fellow Texans (and those just visiting) – Harvey is fixin’ to hit the coast … PLEASE all be safe!!! TAZ :frown: :mad2: :eek:

[BJCHEV396]

Are you near the coast or inland TAZ?Harvey supposed to be a biggie!!

[Lee Stewart]

And getting worse! Now listed as a Cat 4 hurricane.

DO NOT stay in your home if you are in it's path. Evacuate immediately if you haven't already done so! DO NOT make your possessions more important than your life and the lives of your family.

[Craig_Maiorana]

Be safe guys

[Lee Stewart]

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Reuters) - Hurricane Harvey moved closer to the Texas coast on Friday and residents were warned to take shelter from 125 mile-per-hour winds and 12-foot ocean surges when the most powerful storm in over a decade slams the mainland United States.

Harvey strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center said. The storm was expected to hit land near Corpus Christi, Texas, around 9 p.m. CDT (0200 GMT) then stall and dump over three feet of rain in areas of the Texas coast and parts of Louisiana as it lingers for days.

"We may be looking at unprecedented and major to record flooding," said forecaster John Tharp of Weather Decision Technologies, adding that flood warnings were in effect for Louisiana and northern Mexico.

As a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, Harvey could bring winds of up to 156 miles per hour (251 km per hour), uproot trees, rip roofs off homes and disrupt utilities for days. If it maintains its intensity, it would be the first major hurricane to hit the mainland United States since Hurricane Wilma struck Florida in 2005.

[earntaz]

Are you near the coast or inland TAZ?Harvey supposed to be a biggie!!

I am just outside San Antonio -- toward the northeast ... we've tied everything down and my Nova is dry ... Thanks for your concern ... TAZ :flag:

[BJCHEV396]

Stay safe TAZ!

[Xplantdad]

Be safe Taz!

[earntaz]

Thanks Bill, Bruce and all -- I'll let ya'll know more tomorrow AM if we still have power ... Craig (TAZ) :youguysrock:

[x77-69z28]

Be safe guys, this is no joke!
Buddy

[x77-69z28]

Be safe guys, this is no joke!
Buddy

[CC Rider]

Be safe!

[Lee Stewart]

I am just outside San Antonio -- toward the northeast ... we've tied everything down and my Nova is dry ... Thanks for your concern ... TAZ :flag:

PLEASE do not think you are out of danger! Your area is forecasted to get 18 inches of rain. That will cause severe flooding.

https://s30.postimg.org/ofmc3xzfl/screenshot_5090.png (https://postimages.org/)

[Hotrodpaul]

I am getting a pretty good rain right now in the NW Houston/Magnolia area. After this thing is gone we could have over 2 feet of rain to deal with.

[earntaz]

We didn’t get near the rain that was forecasted overnight – a skoshi over an inch in the gauge ... BUT there is damn sure more coming. Houston and areas east of here are getting swamped. Harvey has been knocked back to a Cat 1 for now. Everyone in Harvey's realm -- be SAFE!! TAZ

[Tracker1]

take care Taz

[earntaz]

I am getting a pretty good rain right now in the NW Houston/Magnolia area. After this thing is gone we could have over 2 feet of rain to deal with.

How is it going over there? Saw there were a few twisters in your area ... TAZ

[Hotrodpaul]

Yes, we have had several tornadoes in the Cypress and Magnolia areas. We are lucky so far, in my subdivision just localized flooding of the surrounding roads causing some transportation issues but no flooded homes. Other parts of Houston, and the surrounding people that live near rivers and bayou's are not so lucky. Before it's done, the Texas Gulf Coast will probably be declared a disaster area and many will lose their homes. On a side note, I just purchased a 69 Z-28 from California and it was to be delivered yesterday. Bad timing I guess.

God bless the Texas Gulf coast and all those in the path of Harvey.

[TimG]

Seven inches of rain in Austin and about 30 mph winds. Magnolia is where my wife has family, lots of rain there.

[Lee Stewart]

https://s2.postimg.org/m9cjxbxc9/image.png (https://postimages.org/)

[Lee Stewart]

They are now talking about a spike in gas prices that could reach $1.00 per gallon as early as this weekend. Harvey has shut down 25% of the USA's oil refineries.

Word to the wise . . . fill up your cars TODAY!

[earntaz]

They are now talking about a spike in gas prices that could reach $1.00 per gallon as early as this weekend. Harvey has shut down 25% of the USA's oil refineries.

Word to the wise . . . fill up your cars TODAY!

The Gov has already said if there is evidence of price gouging the crap is going to fly ...

[Lee Stewart]

Harvey could raise gas prices by $1 a gallon or more

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/harvey-could-raise-gas-prices-by-dollar1-a-gallon-or-more/ar-AAqRsS2?li=AA4Zjn&ocid=spartandhp

[Lee Stewart]

Harvey Just Broke the Record for Wettest Tropical Storm in US History

https://s26.postimg.org/9h8684qex/svn30lha2imrgt2duz1i.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

The National Weather Service is reporting 49.32 inches of total rainfall at a site southeast of Houston, which now marks the greatest accumulation of rainfall ever recorded in the contiguous United States on account of a single tropical storm.

http://gizmodo.com/harvey-just-broke-the-record-for-largest-rainfall-event-1798545348

[Lee Stewart]

Up To 500,000 Cars Could Be Totaled From Hurricane Harvey Damage

https://s26.postimg.org/y9zejb4ft/AAq_RQqz.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/gwp44g94l/)

An estimated 500,000 Texan vehicles could be totaled and scrapped in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, snowballing into a massive sales wave of new and used cars in the coming months.

As opposed to the fallout of Hurricane Sandy and other major storms of the past, the sheer density of vehicles in Houston and other parts of Texas compared to, say New York City and the State of New York, will likely lead to massive insurance write-offs for flood-damaged cars. The estimate could possibly tally up to as many as half a million cars, according to Cox Automotive—the company behind Kelly Blue Book and Autotrader, via CNBC.

http://jalopnik.com/up-to-500-000-cars-could-be-totaled-from-hurricane-harv-1798580690

[Hotrodpaul]

I am sure the insurance companies are sweating on this one, untold billions of dollars worth of property damage, not to mention the toll on human life. It will be curious to see how much they will raise our homeowners rates after this. After Allison in 2001, my rates tripled. On a positive note, the sun finally came out yesterday, best thing I have seen in a long time.

Paul

[John]

....
People all over the U.S. have been viewing this disaster and are seeing how everyone is pulling together to help each other out.

... This is contagious...

... I have already seen how individuals and companies have already started to give donations of all kinds that are being sent to help these people out in texas.

... Pick a trustworthy charity that is collecting for this disaster relief ...

... and give SOMETHING !

... Just give what you can...
... the amount is not as important as if EVERYONE just helps !

... :flag::flag::flag::flag:

[Lee Stewart]

I am sure the insurance companies are sweating on this one, untold billions of dollars worth of property damage, not to mention the toll on human life. It will be curious to see how much they will raise our homeowners rates after this. After Allison in 2001, my rates tripled. On a positive note, the sun finally came out yesterday, best thing I have seen in a long time.

Paul

Actually the insurance companies are not responsible for all the property damage done by Harvey. They got out of the Flood Insurance business almost 100 years ago. That is now the domain of the Federal Government.

They will be responsible for all the cars (that have full coverage insurance) that Harvey destroyed.

[Mr70]

Very good sobering pictures & info Lee.
Just a heads up to anyone posting afterwards in this topic,let's please stay true to it's intended theme,and not turn it into a Political argument..Thank you.

[NorCam]

I really feel for those in Texas as its sister city here in Calgary went through similar flooding (although much less water) after a stalled storm dropped 12" of rain in 36 hours. That impacted the additional mountain snow melt which then caused a 100 year flood in 2013. It cost over 6 Billion in damages and again, that will pail in comparison to the projected 60 billion estimate for damages coming out of Houston.

Hang in there people...it'll take time but it can all be rebuilt.

[Lee Stewart]

https://s26.postimg.org/xozp8s4zd/AAq_Zeb5.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/pw91gsz05/)

That's Interstate 10 BTW

[Lee Stewart]

https://s26.postimg.org/br38ezpyx/AAq_Z9_CW.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/cgm0rcqid/)

https://s26.postimg.org/bfls289ix/AAq_Zi_Ng.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s26.postimg.org/a1u56xa9l/AAq_Zpi_W.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/uyqdbl8ad/)

[Lee Stewart]

Flood insurance: Harvey tests a broken system

https://s26.postimg.org/4lko40vnd/AAq_Ym_O6.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

The flooding in the Houston area caused by Hurricane Harvey is just the latest problem for the already troubled National Flood Insurance Program.

The federally-funded program, which is part of FEMA, is the only protection against flooding that most homeowners and businesses can hope to get, since private policies typically only cover the wind damage that's associated with hurricanes, but not flood damage.

But after a series of major storm caused floods in the last 12 years, including Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the program is roughly $25 billion in debt. It has less than $2 billion in cash on hand, with only $6 billion more leftin borrowing capacity as it prepares for the claims that will be filed due to Harvey.

Most homes in the affected area don't have flood insurance, but about 400,000 homes in the counties affected by Harvey do have policies. The average claim in the last 12 years has been for about $50,000, which means this storm could quickly deplete the fund's remaining resources.

*SNIP*

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/flood-insurance-harvey-tests-a-broken-system/ar-AAqYkcR?ocid=spartandhp

[Lee Stewart]

Federal Aid Request for Harvey Damage Expected to Top Katrina

Hurricane Harvey left a rising number of deaths and costly destruction in Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott forecast federal funding needs are “far in excess” of $125 billion, topping Hurricane Katrina.
Gov. Abbott said he expects the congressional appropriation needed for restoration will be larger than the roughly $120 billion provided to New Orleans after Katrina.

“The worst is not yet over for Southeast Texas as far as the rain is concerned,” he said, referring to a region that includes the cities of Beaumont and Port Arthur, where more than 2 feet of rain fell in just 24 hours as Harvey neared land again.

Harvey-related payouts by private-sector insurers are expected to exceed $10 billion and possibly hit $20 billion, according to Wall Street analysts. The wide range reflects the many unprecedented aspects of the still-unfolding disaster. At the top end of that range, it would near the cost of superstorm Sandy in 2012, according to the trade group Insurance Information Institute, but trail Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which cost the insurance industry $49.79 billion in 2016 dollars.

*SNIP*

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/federal-aid-request-for-harvey-damage-expected-to-top-katrina/ar-AAr0yeR?li=AA4ZnC&ocid=spartandhp

[69LM1]

I fear you are correct. This will quickly outstrip the costs with rebuilding after Katrina. We have collected over $10,000 in donations and water/food and as soon as the waters subside are headed out there to assist. The Deuce is loaded and ready

http://i.imgur.com/8ojaGfg.jpg

We plan on starting in the Baytown and Port Arthur areas so if anyone knows of anyone with a need in that area, PM me.

Our church has an advance group of 15-20 guys going down, then we will coordinate with affiliates to assist with the gutting of homes for the elderly, single parents and those in need.

Texas was here for LA, and now its our chance to help Texas!

Rich

[69LM1]

These are the road closures, the blue dots are closed roads:

http://i.imgur.com/g7tZTM3.png

Great link here for keeping up with road conditions:

https://drivetexas.org/#/7/30.455/-95.984?future=false

(click continue)

Rich

[NorCam]

Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue - Texas Flood

http://i.imgur.com/BhCo2Y5.jpg