I don't think it needs to be considered a major event but I think you and everyone else who choose to underestimate the power of a tropical storm need to wake up fast. Remember Hurricane Rita? Sure, it went ashore at Sabine but it lashed Galveston with "only" tropical storm-force winds and I seem to remember an evacuation and considerable damage (collapsed wall at Yaga's, fires). I have been through plenty of tropical storms and hurricanes living in both Galveston and Miami and I would rather be safe than sorry.

— By john doe on Aug. 4 at 4:17 PM

That's classic. Love when Houston media just don't get it. Apparently one news channel reported from the beach during the 5 p.m. newscast showing really rough tides. I still haven't figure out where they found a rough surf for that since the rest of the beach seems to be what friends and I call a Chamber of Commerce day with clear skies, calm waters of a beautiful green tint. Nice day to be at the beach - good conditions and few crowds. How often do we get the beaches to ourselves in summer.....definitely worthy of a walk on the sand this afternoon!

— By Heidi Lutz on Aug. 4 at 5:51 PM

Not so stupid.
There are those who have never been on the mainland side of the causeway trying to get on the Island to determine the status of your property. The Mayor has the sheriffs close the causeway during and after storms to control access. It is sometimes difficult to determine what conditions cause her to make that decision.
Not a bad question.

— By Jed Kenna on Aug. 4 at 6:01 PM

John, I agree. People here on the island, including some at city hall and in the media are foolish to underestimate the power of a tropical storm. I've been through many from storms starting with Carla....it's not a joke people!

Look at what TS Francis did to the area of a few years ago. These storms are no laughing matter and I am surprised at the casual attitude of residents on the island and that includes the mayor. As we see this morning the storm as turned, but it could just have easily been a direct hit. Anyone who stays down on the west end is a fool....more than likely no power, no water, rising water. Of course, it is these same people that will then be whining and wanting someone to risk their life and rescue them (at the taxpayer's expense) when they get stuck in their home.

— By Mimi A. on Aug. 5 at 6:11 AM

My favorite was the lady from the weather channel who standing next to the seawall in order to point out that it "was only six feet tall" and provided a "false sense of security" continued to do what most of the TV folks do best; sell fear and soap powder. Where do they find these goobers?

— By Ken Hanning on Aug. 5 at 2:29 PM

There is no bad question about a storm, as had been said. There are just too many new people around that can learn and too many BOI’s like me that need to stay awake for there to be “bad questions”. I just learned that the County can regulate the Causeway. Thank’s for that information, Jed.

Just so Mini A knows, there are very strict regulations governing the West End and all us fools know ‘em. By the way, I’m sending this to the blog from the West End using regular electricity. No hand-crank generators today, Mini.

On the West End, we know storm ground rules and descriptors.

Tropical Strom Category: Stay if you want; go if you want. Might stop fishing for a day cause it’s a good time to fill your cisterns. Most probably, wetland bulldozers will continue to work and build the tax base so the rest of the island can get a sewer. Septic tanks are safe at this level and water rise will be just two inches below the top of the last three blades of remaining marsh grass.

Hurricane Category 1: Probably should leave and for sure, if you stay, do not stay on the beach side until proposition 4-B gets you more sand. On the Bay side, float your boat and turn your bilge pump on. Others will need those boats later. Do not play golf since the septic systems tend to over flow on the golf course during heavy rains. At a Category 1, realtors are as scarce as coyotes on our West End and, like their relatives, have begun working the East End flats.

Hurricane Category 2: If you stay, don’t expect mail delivery and watch out for snakes if you make it through the storm. I forgot: “don’t expect mail delivery and watch out for snakes ” applies to sunny days too.

In this category, only feral cats, CarMax purchasing agents looking for a good buy on floating realtor Cadillac’s and a few lost planning staff can be found west of 8 mi road. West Enders on the beach side are in Houston composing letters to Jerry Patterson and on the Bay side, have moved into central Galveston to man essential services at the hospital and clinics in an effort to see how the other-half lives.

Most of the migratory bird species are expressing relief and gratitude by burning Craig Brown in effigy while there are three West Enders--- who don’t watch television--- wondering why Waterman’s isn’t open yet. Midway through any Category 2, all construction and sand relocation stops except for the John Sullivan sand pit. Seems the Lord shines light and calm breezes on that family regardless. The Lord gets one dollar in return with a chance to share in profits later.

Hurricane Category 3: The corps of Engineers has been called to emergency meetings to re-think the last twenty years of West End permits and a special Corps task force has been assembled to generate reasonable and believable excuses about why Galveston is two Islands. The task force is chaired by the same Corps officer who chaired the now famous Katrina Levee report on Corps competence.

All West Enders have evacuated and gone straight to Houston. At a Category Three, no West End fools would want to stay on the East End, that’s for sure. We’ve all become accustomed to drainage and sewers so why go to the East End? A few of the Marquette cows remain but they’re so skinny the wind blows right past.

Our Mayor is answering news questions by saying “What West End?’ and “I told you so”
And, Karen Mahoney is beginning to think Danny Weber is beatable once she relocates.
Diana P is unveiling her secret plan for revitalizing her old district. Her plan requires building a toll Super Causeway, modeled after the Autobahn, from Tiki Island to (where else?) Evia and placing a green energy Ferris wheel attraction on Karankawa reef to bring the Houston crowd back.

In a strong Category three, East Ender's are beginning to complain and ask for help at taxpayer’s expense but, no one is listening. The Chamber, The Friends and most Coyotes left town days ago. When residents call City Hall, they get an answering machine that repeats “Mayor Pro-tem Weber does not like tall buildings” until you finally hang up in disgust.
However, help comes in the form of sports boats (with the bilge pumps turned on) floating in from the West End. But, you still have to watch for the snakes when you board.

Then there’s the real Miracle: Over a thousand plastic pink Flamingo’s have floated in from the West End and serve as PFD’s for East Ender’s who’s water just won’t drain .



Category 4 and 5: No people on the west end; no snakes on the West End; still have those three skinny cows there but no sand on the West End, and Mimi A., no taxpayers on the West End.

However, the West End is betting the East End will get a community pool out of it from about 45th street to 8th and from Post Office to the Boulevard….. Slightly larger than Olympic size, but sure to put you on the map.

Dan Rather is, once again, staying at the Galvez but doesn’t remember why he came.

We have storms pretty well worked out on the West End, Mimi, and doubt we’ll need help anytime soon.

— By Bill Broussard on Aug. 5 at 3:01 PM

some of you are missing the point of how silly that question was that was asked by the camera man. he wanted to know how high the water would need to be to close the causeway. hopefully the water would never get so high as to cover the causeway and call for its closure.

— By patricia anglin on Aug. 13 at 7:01 PM

Bill Broussard, that was priceless! :))))))))))

— By Linda Vaccaro on Aug. 17 at 9:57 PM

Patricia:
We now know the question of how high the water needs to get to close the causeway....it's 6-16'. at home level. Not so silly any more I guess,

Change Dan Rather to Geraldo in my comments above.

— By Bill Broussard on Sep. 16 at 12:49 AM