Picture of Galveston from about one o'clock central time

Gotta love those waves. The news quoted the city's mayor as saying that about 20,000 people still haven't left. Do they think it's going to get better tonight?

Here's another photo--also from about one o'clock--of the scenic waves against the 16 foot seawall. Ike's eyewall bands haven't even arrived yet. Surf's up.

They're stubborn. Pure, cussed, stubborness.

The west end of the island is already flooded.
Beachside homes are already getting eaten.

So ahem, those staying behind need to ask themselves one question:

How long can you hold your breath underwater?

(Assuming the surf doesn't slam your body into a seawall...or apt. building...)

I believe it. When I heard that people were already getting rescued by helicopter from the Bolivar peninsula about an hour ago, I realized you were dead on about the west end of the island being fucked. I looked for a few recent pics and found these lovely shots. They showed a lady and a golden retriever getting out of the rescue helicopter on MSNBC. You'd think they'd care about their dogs if they don't care about themselves.

I read Issac's storm about the 1900 storm. That was some scary shit.

Of course, on the Bolivar peninsula, they'll just get more plywood and put up new fishing shacks.

Darwin Candidates definitely

This is our beachhouse. It's actually on a bayside canal.

Nice house. Is it out of the line of fire?

No. We're "praying" that a tornado winds up taking it out instead of the storm surge. It's on that flooded west end of the island in the community of Jamaica Beach.

Oh Christ. If the insurance company can insinuate the flood waters destroyed it instead of wind you are fucked in the pocketbook. Not that our fine upstanding insurance companies would ever do such a thing.

Exactly. Mom and Pop recover 300K if it's storm surge. They get the whole 900k replacement value if it gets hit by wind/tornado.

Crap. I hope they have plenty of savings.

No comment.

I don't believe that's your house.

Here's my beach house from across the tracks.

Those who know me know or can find out the truth easily. You aren't such a person.

What is this Bolivar mess? We got Americans on their way to OZ, man. I ain't tryin' to hear about that?

Or is there a town called Bolivar in Texas?

It is the Bolivar Peninsula. It is the location of fine redneck beach towns like Crystal Beach and Port Bolivar.

In Texas?

Yup.

Whoa! Nevermind.

I don't think anyone cares about a town whose main claim to fame is that there's a song about a Christmas tree that involves them.

what song is that? Hum a little for me.

Shouldn't you be asking him to whistle that?

JohnM's "lakefront" house...

You know how to whistle, don't ya, Mewa...?

Maybe he's a good hummer?