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Hints of devastation on Galveston Bay

Posted: Saturday, September 13, 2008 9:19 AM
Filed Under:

Hurricane Ike

By Charles Hadlock, NBC News

At dawn's first light, the devastation from Hurricane Ike is becoming clear.

The Hilton Hotel here in Clear Lake, Texas, where we've set up our satellite truck to report on the storm, is taking a beating.

The stucco facade on the front of the building peeled away during the early hours of the storm.  Of course, it smashed into NBC cameraman Mike Terrel's truck, which had just gotten out of the shop from Hurricane Dolly damage.

The hotel lobby looks like a scene out of the Poseidon Adventure. The plexiglass atrium ceiling came crashing down at about 2:30 in the morning. I had just finished giving a live report on MSNBC and stepped back into the darkened lobby to dry off. I had a towel to my face when I heard a loud popping sound above. Without looking, I ran for a corner of the room. A huge sheet of plexiglass landed right where I had been standing.  I think I was safer outside the hotel. The lobby is filled with insulation and debris. Two giant chandeliers sway perilously above, whipped by the Ike's winds now gusting through the building.

For a time, the lobby  (above) was in danger of being flooded by the rising storm surge on Galveston Bay. The first floor of the hotel, below the lobby, was inundated with water that slowly crept up the stairs toward the hotel lobby. The water got to eight steps away from flooding the lobby when the winds swung around from the north and west and pushed the tidal surge away just in time.

A marina behind our hotel (photo above) had more than 20 boats tied up along wooden piers on Clear Lake last night.

This morning, the piers are gone; and so are most of the boats.

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Comments

It is a shame to see the devastation of the gulf coast at this ,but, let us give praise to our Father whose mercy down sized a projected 20-25ft storm surge,to an 11ft. surge. Sometimes His mercy goes un noticed.

Brian W. Wausau,Wisconsin (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:02 PM)

IT IS EASY TO JUDGE, HOWEVER WE AMERICANS HAVE BECOME USED TO POINTING FINGERS AND BLAMING OTHERS. YES, THEY SHOULD HAVE LEFT AND NO I DON'T THINK IT IS THE GOVERNMENTS RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX EVERYTHING.NOW WE ALL HAVE MADE ERRORS IN JUDGEMENT AND BAD CHOICES--IF WE ARE GOING TO POINT FINGERS, LET'S HELP,OR POINT AT OURSELVES--THIS ARE HUMANS --- ARE WE?

dennis portland in (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:02 PM)

This is the first Hurricane I have experienced.  I have to paise the Officials and Media for all of the instructions and coverage.  They have ALL done an excellent job to inform and protect all the citizens of this area.

DH Sugar Land, Texas (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:02 PM)

There are risks with every decision.  Risk in living in low-lying coastal areas, and risk in voting for GWB.  Clearly both decisions were wrong, but accept the consequences.

Sara, NYC, NY (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:02 PM)

Find me a place that totally safe and I'll go live there.I live in Mo.where we never know when a tornado might strike.No place is this country is immune to natural disasters;we had an ice storm a few years ago that damaged my house and car, and thank God I had good insurance because the gov't didn't offer adime of help.....Sue

Sue J. springifldmo (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:03 PM)

God be with each and every one of you in Texas at this
time and always.  And for you Kevin, God bless you too!

Miriam, Grand Rapids, Mich (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:03 PM)

These storms have happened for years, all we can do is prepare and learn from all thats past. Rebuild with integrity, preparedness, and the confidence that there will be another, perhaps stronger.
The southern americans that decided to stay, show charactoristics of poeple that are willing to learn 1st hand on how to prepare and learn.  If I lived there, I would do my best to save, protect, and learn through storms like this.(maybe not in a CAT 4 or 5)

Bryce, Tulsa,OK (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:03 PM)

You know its funny how people are so --- to think its all about where you live.  Every part of the country is suceptible to differnt natural disaster from Hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods etc...  Each and ever person out there know what they are to expect.  I live is SUNNY South Florida and we know we can get hit by a hurricane at one point in time but I CHOOSE to live here because it is a wonderful palce to live.  You take the good with the bad!  If you dont like the water then dont live near the water.  We go boating, to the beach and fishing with our family which is what WE like to do.

Those that have gone through a natural disaster know that everyone counts and that neighbors and other wonderful people will come together to healp each other out.  

Our society for the most part is a giving society and that is why we live in the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.  It was built by people from everywhere which helped each other grow.

Do not do things to expect anything in return.  You do things to help those who need it.

I went through Hurrican Andrew and it was devastating to our area.  Even though I needed help becasue we had no electricity and had toclean up for more than 2 weeks, I was the 1st to volunteer the day the hurricane hit to help those who were not as fortunate as I.

I wish everyone that has been affected the best of luck and remember there are plenty of people out there willing to lend a helping hand!

God Bless You!

T, Miami, Florida (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:03 PM)

I lived through Camille, Elana, Katrina, Gustav so I have seen much devastation. My comment to those who did not leave under a mandatory evacuation and then called for help is." First Responders should not have to put their life on the line for anyone who knowingly and willingly put their life in danger." People who have to be saved for not heeding a mandatory evacuation should have to pay a fine to the county or state agency who came to their rescue.

Mary Bounds, Picayune, Ms (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:04 PM)

There was a mandatory evacuation ordered simple as that, live or die with your decision to "tough it out"

Felix (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:04 PM)

I love reading the remarks of judgemental "know it alls" on where to live, where to work, building codes, etc.  Perhaps all of you people could run for a high public office....in a different country.  I do agree it is incredibly stupid for people to ignore mandatory evacuations and then expect rescues. Hello?

Bob Steckler, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:04 PM)

Clearly mankind can not control the weather, and it is sad when people lose things and more importantly lives.  However, we have freedom of speech in this country and Kevin has a right to his opinion.  He may have tempered it a little, but it is his to speak.  I agree wholeheartedly that if you ignored evac orders, then there should be a consequence.  Your life is NEVER worth the price of your stuff....trust me, in this country you can get more stuff.  

LB, Cowtown, OH (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:04 PM)

Off course it's very nice to live close to the coast and enjoy an all year sea view to the beach. But nature says that there is a price to pay and you shoudn't expect we all should to pay for this privilege.
Now it is pay back time!! and next time live up to the consecuences.  

GERARDO A. GUZMAN (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:06 PM)

I AGREE WITH KEVIN AND OUTHERS WHY SHOULD WE PAY FOR IDIOTS

Melissa Maples Highlandville MO. (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:06 PM)

After living through so many hurricanes in 48 years I know how bad they can be but we get up and go on most of the time not getting anything from the goverment. We all have come to relise that when you live near the gulf coast things can happen.
But we have all come to become a little stronger and more self reliant on our selfs

Thankful Dauphin Island Alabama (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:06 PM)

Like many others on here, I feel bad for the area in general.  But to see the headlines on the internet that "survivors beg to be rescued", I don't feel one bit sorry for them.  Idiots.   You were WARNED it was going to be bad and you did NOT heed prudent advice.  Indeed, as city officials said "those not heeding advice to evacuate, face almost certain death".  If you want to gamble, go to Vegas.   In the meantime, your selfishness and stupidity now endanger those who are left to rescue your tailbones.    

Gary, Louisville, KY (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:06 PM)

Those who ignored the evacuation orders should reimburse the taxpayers for their rescue and any bills associated.  We pay taxes to support education in our public schools.  Do we also have to continue to pay to educate those idiots who need re-educated to dangers in life?  I feel sorry for them loosing their homes, but anything else related to them NOT leaving should be their problem.

Michael, Bourbonnais, Il (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:06 PM)

God be with each and everyone of you in Texas at this
time and always.  And for you Kevin, God bless you too!

Miriam, Grand Rapids, Mich (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:06 PM)

Could be that the people that didn't leave couldn't afford to leave. What do you do if you have no gas money, or people to stay with, or very uncomfortable being in an environment such as a shelter? I don't think they stayed to be vindictive and selfish and wanting to spend our tax dollars.

Jeannie (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:06 PM)

I guess it's true what our parents used to say, "Think before you speak" Mr. Goodchild, there is never a perfect place to live.  I really cannot understand when people are under mandatory evacuation they do not heed the warning.  So many lives (Fireman etc. are lost trying to save those who stayed behind.  

DHegge, Wisconsin (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:34 PM)

I have lived from coasts to coast been in the middle of all kinds of storms,suffered the loss of damage form them,watched my loved ones risk life and limb to help those who didn't think clearly, or were afraid to leave as well as those who left and still died as with Rita.It does not matter if it is fire storms ,winter storms, earth quakes hurricanes,tornados,draughts,or terrorist attacks these are all things that wound us all,not a single one of us has a crystal ball that will tell us what is to come, but we go to work every day, say or prayers every night, and hope we can feed our family's, give our kids a chance to work for a good life,we try to teach them to care, about their selves, their friends, family country and God. However, there is no place that I know of that there is nothing to fear, from weather or the planet, or the people on it that I know of. I know I have not always made the best decisions I could have in my life, I am no more perfect than the next guy/girl, but I can say a prayer send water or 5.00 dollars to the red cross, and even though I disagree with the comments of a judgmental nature, I can even still pray for those who said them, asking that you never have to suffer the loss of all you have ever worked for,or your loved ones because someone else just did not want to be bothered,or felt that they would rather not help this person or that person because they disagreed with their choice's.
Some of the folks who stayed just did not have the money to pay for the gas to leave, some might have been afraid of vandals,or had one family member who refused to go what ever their reason is not the point,they still need the help,as well as our prayers..

Lou,Orlando,Florida (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:34 PM)

 The Federal Government wastes more of our tax $$$$'s each day of our lives than any of these disasters will cost tax payers!!! That is the way it has always been & more than likely the way it will always Be!! I guess we should shut down our coast line from Main to Seattle!!!! Anybody ever heard of freedom of Choice, GOOD or BAD?? We are talking about human lives here!!!!

W. Keeton Fayetteville, AR. (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:35 PM)

I live on the coast, Corpus Christi.  To those who say we shouldn't believe me when I say we're glad you don't live here.  The coast is a beautiful place to live.  Yes we have the threat of natural disasters-> Hurricanes.  But the rest of the nation does too --> heat waves, blizzards, flooding rains, tornadoes, earthquakes, sink holes...
I'd rather my tax dollars be spent here taking care of our people rather than wasting it on a war in iraq.  

D.G of Corpus Christi, TX (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:35 PM)

I agree that the people who live in the mandatory evac areas should have left.  My family is down there and some came to East Texas and some did not.  Thank God they are all ok.  I also believe that as Americans we should all pull together as a COUNTRY, like we did on 9/11.  Come on people-we are America!! No one should be complaining about what our tax dollars go to because like many have said-you never know when you might need it yourself.  GOD bless America and peace be with you all.

Diane-East Texas (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:35 PM)

"Its truly selfish, ignorant, uncaring bastards like you that give americans a bad name. how bout those who lost loved ones, or everything they owned and don't have a place to live???  thats what you should be worried about you selfish jerk!!! "

Most of those people chose to live there knowing full well they were going to hit sometime. People in SF know that at some point and earthquake is going to hit them. People in New Orleans live below sea-level in a hurricane zone. People in the lower mid-west know at any given time a tornado can hit them. It is crappy that it happens but they chose to live there and if they dont like it then they can move somewhere else. I am just tired of always having to feel sorry for these people every time something like that happens. Instead of buying and operating a $100000 pleasure boat, or buying a 3 million dollar house, spend some time and money with the cities there building up levees and seawalls or stop crying when something like this happens.

Brian, East Hampton, Ct (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:35 PM)

I feel sorry for the people who are so closed minded. Really where are people supposed to live then?  There are earthquakes out west and tornados throughout the country and how about wildfires which could happen anywhere there is a forest.  And lets go there with snow...... We who live up north not only have a chance of being hit by a tornado, we also get hit with blizzrads and ice storms. Now since we all know these are possiblities we still choose to live here... Come on people lets no act like a bunch of ninnys and be a little human. Natural disasters and some that arent natural happen and we need to be there to support those who are effected by them.  And another thing I have seen for my own eyes the distruction that snow, ice, floods and tornados can do to people and their lives and there are some people who dont have the money to pick up and go, or to have a generator when the power goes down or even enough food to get them through two days. How about our elderly who live on a fixed income?  You who feel so hateful agianst these people who are now in need of help should be ashamed of yourselves and you better hope that the day you go before to be judged God wont be as harsh on you as you have been to others. I pray for you all including those people who put money before lives.... (so all that being said where in the United States are we supposed to live?) Is there any place "safe in your view"? And lets not forget the comment about animals. People who feel that their lives mean nothing and that people should just walk away and not look back is heartless and unsettling.  You know they are like children, they didn't asked to be brought into this world and they didn't choose the families that they have, and they can't protect themselves the way us adults can do. I mean can a dog or cat or horse, etc.. get in a car and drive?  Come on lets think about it. Not every person is able to leave with their pets and those people who truley love them dont walk away with a light heart.  I feel for those people and the pets they had to leave behind.  

Stephanie, Mt. Cory, Ohio (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:35 PM)

I agree that everyone should evacuate when they are given the early warnings that they received. Its just plain stupid to risk you life to stay and then need to be rescued...We here in Florida are very thankfull that the storm missed us.Thank you God.  Special thanks to all of the rescue workers who risk their lifes for people that don't deserve it.

Ron Boca Raton, Fl. (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:36 PM)

I'm a Texas native but have lived in Mobile, Alabama for about 20 years...I don't begrudge anyone living where they want, either in California with it's fires and earthquakes, Alaska with it's blizzards, the Midwest with it's tornadoes and floods, but we've lost the concept of personal responsibility. If you're going to live anywhere, make sure you have insurance and then plan ahead for any disasters you may have to face...Tax dollars should be used to repair infrastructure, not to replace a home you didn't have insured or to pay your living expenses because you weren't prepared. I've lived through several hurricanes, including Katrina. It was difficult, but it wasn't impossible.

Ken Gibson, Mobile, AL (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:36 PM)

Thank God for waking up us complete in our 5 senses. For Ike's victims,you're not alone there are millions of people all over the world that are in the same situation as you are now. You can go on and re-built, but for some they're stuck for the rest of thier lives.

arn arrienda, Spokane,WA (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:36 PM)

Man there are some selfish people out there.  I lived on Pensacola Beach for 2 years.  Ivan destroyed our condo.  When we received the evacuation demand we bailed. Living on the beach you take a chance.. To me it was worth it.  Waking up on the beach is absolutlely wonderful.  Oh and just for future reference if Jim Cantore is in your city, get the hell out, he is not there for a vacation.

Beth Thomas Atlanta, GA (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:36 PM)

Yikes! Remember the days after 9/11 when we were all Americans, all working toward the same goals, helping and caring for one another? What happened to that sentiment? I bet you hypocrites wear "9-11: never forget" T-shirts and slap those bumper stickers on your cars... I am pretty sure that the "never forget" part also means "never forget your fellow American." It is shameful that in the most prosperous, free, and abundant nation in the world that there is such an ungrateful, selfish, uncaring attitude.

Besides, I'd much rather see my tax dollars save some poor idiot who didn't heed the evacuations than be spent on a war, or for the billions in pork barrel spending each year. Get your priorities straight.

Amie James, Tallahassee FL (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:36 PM)

WOW!!!!!!!!  All I can say is I am amazed at the heartlessness of so many people.  It truly is amazing.  There is a part of me that questions staying when you should leave, but before throwing stones (so to speak) you should find out what led them to stay.  The judgemental-ness of those quick to point fingers is staggering.  May God be with all affected (and with those finger-pointing idiots too).

Dana from Mass (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:37 PM)

I grew up in Laporte and have been threw several hurricans.  My father worked in one of those refineries that puts gas in your car.  They heeded the warnings and left but have probably lost everything that they have worked so hard for all their lives, so for you to complain about your tax dollars that have never helped my parents out in the thirty years they have lived in tha path of large storms is absolutly crazy.  I had no problem helping out with 9/11 and sending my tax dollars to help you out in your time of need so why would you sit there and complain about the millions of poeple who just lost everything they have and did everything they were told to do.

Denice, Bedford, TX. (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:37 PM)

People ignored the "certain death" warnings to protect their property, plain and simple.  There are reports that officials went through neighborhoods begging over a bullhorn for people to evacuate!  When we have an ice storm, I don't drive.  When we have a tornado warning, I take shelter.  When a train is coming, I stay off the track...if my car stalled, I would evacuate my car.  If we are choosing a house with stuff over our one and only life we have a skewed value system.  Yes, we need to rescue and help those in need BUT there needs to be accountability.  This is not said in hate, so please save your spiteful comments.  I just don't understand why people made the choice to risk their own life as well as our sons and daughters who will now go to the rescue.  My prayers are with all those affected.  

Lisa W., Middle America (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:37 PM)

Why is it, that a Hurricane strikes the hub of the oil, maybe a higher power is sending a message to our Oil executives and Politicians to clean up their act and to lead our society and country in God's way

unknown (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:38 PM)

Big talk does not help in situations like this.  Go out and help your fellow citizens.  Dont think materially but humanly we will all die one day and we wont take a piece of shit with us.  Wake up all.  Just go and help.

Tzanis (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:38 PM)

I agree with Mr. Goodchild.  I mean if you play with fire your going to get burned. If you live on the coast, your going to get flooded, or blown away. We understand that here in Oklahoma. I'm just tired of paying for your life style. I figure if you live somewhere you should have to have insurance that covers everything in your area. I do. If you can't afford it, move to where you can. Stop expecting the rest of the country to pay for your losses.

Lee Chandler, Western Oklahoma (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:38 PM)

I have been reading the comments and some people seem to have no compassion for those that have suffered greatly.  Sure the people chose to live there.  That is no reason to blame them for their misfortune.  My heart and prayers go out to those people.  I have not read any comments that show concern for all the animals that are caught in this.  They feel fear and pain too.  I am happy that there are organizations that are helping the animals as well as the humans.  I don't mind my tax dollars going to help the people.  We spend many tax dollars helping other countries, I think it is only right that we sepnd tax dollars to help fellow Americans.

DuWayne Moberg, San Bernardino, CA (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:39 PM)

Big talk does not help in situations like this.  Go out and help your fellow citizens.  Dont think materially but humanly we will all die one day and we wont take a piece of shit with us.  Wake up all.  Just go and help.

Tzanis (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:39 PM)

I am from Galveston and did evacuate, you have to understand that we have had many many evacuation orders that put us in 30 hour traffic to places that is normally a 3 hour trip, when we evacuated from RITA more lives were lost during the evacuation process, so some were very discouraged when the media showed pictures of traffic. I did however evacuate and the traffic was bad but not anywhere close to the RITA evacuation. It took us about 10 hours to get to Austin (normally a 3-4 hour trip).

Alot of the damage is to the seawall where the media is reporting at, but that is what the seawall was made for, to protect our island from surge. It was built after the 1900 storm, by the sounds of things so far there is alot of water inland but not as bad as if we did not have the seawall. The wall sacrificed itself to spare Galveston more damage in my opinion. A friend who stayed there (who works at the San Luis) drove by our house and said it was okay just water on the streets.

There is nothing we can do about natural disasters, Galveston has withstood many hurricanes and storms, so our decision to live in those areas are not bad. We just hope we are able to get home as soon as possible.

Christina, Galveston, TX (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:39 PM)

They think that they live in Paradise and are so proud of themselves.  You play, you pay.  I moved from Florida after a lifetime there.  If youlive in a hurricane area and you cannot afford to lose your job and everything that you have...you move!  Get it?

Why should the "government" (everyone else) bail you out because you are in water way over your head, or over your head in business, or bought a house that you knew that you could not afford? It is called PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. It is tough but it works!!!!

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:39 PM)

Jeannie, what a load of Texas Bull!  No money or people to stay with?  Seriously, 40,000 to 250,000 people using this weak excuse?  Look, if you can afford to live on beachfront property then you have the means to leave for a couple of days.  Texas is big, they could have gone anywhere North or West of the storm and would have been better than staying in Galveston.  No one to stay with?  Please, ever heard of motels, or campsites?  The issue is not why they chose to live there, but why they couldn't leave for 1 or 2 days.  Now the USCG has to worry about rescuing over 37,000 people because they did not evacuate.

Marco, Lubbock, TX (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:39 PM)

It only took me reading the first half of these comments to know that most of you people have no idea what's going on down there.  For those of us who have loved ones who, while in a "mandatory evacuation area", were told by those SAME authorities to STAY PUT, they did as they were told!  And, thankfully, my family and friends weathered the storm fine (they are directly in between Galveston and Houston), for those who didn't fair as well, they don't need STRANGERS passing judgment on them!  They need prayers and understanding that sometimes you don't get full knowledge from reading things on the internet!  Get the full story from the actual people down there going through this mess instead of getting on your soapbox about things you don't know about!  And if you have a problem with what your tax dollars are being spent on, blame it on someone else, not people who are now having to rebuild their lives.  For some of them, it's not a CHOICE about living there.  If that's where their jobs are, or other obligations that keep them there, it's not like they can just up and move to a safe zone like, oh say, NY, DC, or anywhere else that you ill-informed people are from!  

Kelly, Denver, CO (formerly from Houston!) (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:40 PM)

Well, It doesn't look much worst than a normal day at the beach in Forks, Wa. where I spent three years on the nothwest coast of Washington. The beach is litter with huge logs and aftermath of typhoons on the other side of the pacific ocean. Add to that flooding rivers. Over population seems to be the problem in Texas.

Mickey,Keenewick,Wa (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:40 PM)

I don't think it's selfish to try to understand why people build in areas where they probably should not be living. FEMA and the government needs to start saying you build there then you are on your own financially when it gets hit.  I also don't understand when people tell you to get out you don't heed the warning.  I don't feel sorry for either segments of the population.  Who do you think pays for all this when hurricanes hit, Santa Clause?  No it's the american public one way or the other.

Cheryl, Des Moines, Iowa (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:40 PM)

to all my fellow countrymen whose blogs i've read...i implore you to stop all this bickering and come together. while i agree people who resist evacuation orders only place themselves and rescuers lives in danger, WE HAVE ALL made errors in judgement at some time in our life and it is not our place to judge. there are natural disasters and human disasters that befall everyone around the globe in every nook and cranny. there is no safe place to live. that comes with living on a dynamic and living planet whose environment changes and humans instantly uprooted. the way we survive these things and live on and make our country strong and better is to learn from our world and our mistakes and work together. right now we all need each other and there is no time for sarcasm or cynicism. tragedy may befall anybody at anytime anywhere. i am asking each and everyone of you to help each other because you will never know when you may be the one who needs a helping hand. i have a friend who could not leave as she had recently left the hospital and could walk or drive and i can't get through to her or her son. i begged for them to get help and get out and they chose to stay because it was too difficult for them to leave. i disagreed with her staying but she is my friend i pray that God protect her and any brave rescuer that will search and help them. i also pray that compassion has not entirely left our country. i have faith in all of you regardless of race, gender, religion, or political preference.what makes us a great nation are moments like these when we come together and help each other without rancor or malice or spite. please stop fighting for once and make a call to a representative or volunteer and see how you can help. afterall you may need a helping hand someday. peace to all of you.

Alfred Mojica, San Antonio, Texas (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:40 PM)

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Galveston. Keep safe.

Daisy, Delray Beach,Florida (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:40 PM)

I guess the next time that someone decides to fly a plane into a building we should all just say, "That's what you get."  I guess the next time there is a major earthquake we should all just say, "That's what you get."  I guess the next time there is a wildfire, a tornado, a mudslide, or any other disaster, we should all just say, "That's what you get."  What a pathetic country it would be if no one had compassion or sympathy.  Some things are just out of our control, it doesn't matter where you live!  Thank God for the rescue workers!  That's why they're called RESCUE workers, people!  They made the choice to RESCUE people when disaster strikes!

J Taylor, Fort Worth, Texas (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:40 PM)

My heart goes out to those that were affected by Ike, but like so many other posters have said, the ones that stayed behind, in my opinion, were very selfish. Protecting one's "stuff" is not worth the possibility/reality of death.  Yes, some probably did not have financial means, but there are NUMEROUS churches and other groups that would have helped them evacuate.  Yea the whole tax dollar whining is a bit rediculous.  Money is money, nothing compares to the worth of a human life.  None of us throughout this entire country are safe from mother nature's wrath.  None of us ever know what could happen no matter what part of the country we live in.    

To those of you comparing this to 911, how dare you.  This is a natural disaster where people knew it was coming and had a choice to stay or go.  The victims of 911 were completely taken off guard with absolutely no warning.  Don't even go there. What gall!!!!

We are all God's children, lets start acting that way.  

April, UT (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 1:41 PM)

sending this email from Barbados,I'm sure everyone here and my self is wishing everyone a safe recovery and may God continue to look over the other states

natasha boyce (Sent Saturday, September 13, 2008 2:48 PM)



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