You never want to see your boat like this...

[hoopykat]

Hey all,

I just returned from a three week deployment to the Gulf Coast area as part of an ambulance strike team working after Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Last week we were sent to Galveston for 24 hours and it was quite a sobering experience. I have included some photos of the drive into Galveston along I-45. Hundreds of boats of all sizes and PWCs were just bulldozed off the roadway to the shoulders to clear the highway. Note that this highway is up to a half mile or more away from water, so these boats were a long way inland. Fortunately the death toll was way lower than expected, especially since around 15,000 people refused to evacuate the island when told to. The remaining folks were told to write their names and Social Security numbers on their arms in Sharpie so their bodies could be more easily identified.

-Mike

[zad0030]

So is this the new boat lane on the highway?

Im a little skeptical, I don't think it will catch on.

You hate to see things like this happen

[larryueckert]

there's over 2-3 million dollars on that freeway that is nuts

[dogbert]

They're expecting the damage on this storm to be more than $80 Billion. It's pretty bad.

hoopykat, I know everyone down there appreciated the help you provided us Texans.

[jwanck11]

Yeah... it sure was bad... i was sent some images that were very sobering and these were too. Thanks Mike for going down there and helping!!

[balair]

around 15,000 people refused to evacuate the island when told to. The remaining folks were told to write their names and Social Security numbers on their arms in Sharpie so their bodies could be more easily identified.

I think that's quite funny told them that. If there is a Cat.4 huricane headed my way, I'm getting out of there.

[hoopykat]

Funny in an ironic sort of way, yeah, but I am still amazed at the sheer number of people who refused to evacuate even after they were told "You will die". As the storm was raging, many of those same people called asking to be rescued and they were told "Nope, too bad...you didn't heed the warnings, and we're not going to put our rescuers at risk coming to save you, so wait it out, and we'll be around after the storm". I am very glad the death toll was so low, but still shaking my head at the stupidity of some people.

-Mike