Category 3 Hurricane Headed For Texas

[Broomstick]

It's coming around for another hit.

God bless Texas, right?

[Simon_Jester]

God would appear to be blessing Texas with some form of baptism by total immersion...

[TheFeniX]

I hope the suckage stays relatively limited, man. Good luck.

Thanks man, we dodged most the worst stuff due to location. Grand Parkway sat in "the red" most the last two days and the water got high, but we must have had enough retention setup to save us. I think the worst we'll have to deal with is the grass in our easements dieing as St. Augustine is tough, but it ain't that tough.

It's moved on and is current hammering Beaumont. Water has already come down 2-4 feet and people can drive trucks to the store. I'd go out, but there's no point as I won't be able to get into work until tomorrow maybe with the lane closures. The wife has a bunch of prep supplies we didn't need ready to take to the evac center (Mattress Mack, who will SAVE. YOU. MONEY. opened up all the stores for that), but I don't know if I want her driving in this. I might have to go, I have EXPERIENCE! with stupidly driving into dangerous situations.

[Flagg]

It's coming around for another hit.

God bless Texas, right?

I was born there. Clearly God is punishing them for it.

Seriously though, being through hurricanes is something I experienced way too much of and never want to repeat it, so stay safe. When it's all over, I'm totally making secession jokes revolving around the whole "Texas can survive on its own!" thing.

But seriously, stay safe.

[Zaune]

On a more cheerful note, that Forbes article I linked to has apparently been driven off the Internet after basically everyone who's not a frictionless spherical mass of economic self-interest pointed out everything wrong with it.

[TheFeniX]

Some leaking. Roof is damaged in some way which lead to sheetrock damage. I'm thankful that's all we have considering what millions have dealt with, but dealing with it is going to be annoying finding a roofer and filing a claim.

I feel shitty even being annoyed about it.

On a more cheerful note, that Forbes article I linked to has apparently been driven off the Internet after basically everyone who's not a frictionless spherical mass of economic self-interest pointed out everything wrong with it.

That actually.... pisses me off even more. You want to say something shitty, have the balls to back it up or admit you were being an ass and print a retraction. Even digging in his heels would have given me a bit of a reason to show some respect. But this "oh what? What article? No comment" is the shittiest of the shitty.

Hey, the retraction would work out for them since it gives MORE people a reason to deal with their shitty adwall.

[Broomstick]

Glad to hear you're holding up. It sucks about the leak and water is a bitch, but like you said it could be worse. Just the sheer volume of water you got over the past few days is going to strain any roof system. Stay safe.

[Jaepheth]

As floodwaters worsen in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, a plant in Harris County, TX is feared to be in danger. After waters knocked out power to the plants refrigeration system, representatives say they are now in danger of explosion. The New York Post says the County has issued evacuation orders for the area around the facility.
A 1 ½-mile area around a Texas chemical plant has been evacuated amid mounting fears the facility could explode due to damage from Tropical Storm Harvey’s flood waters.
Volatile chemicals in the Arkema plant in Crosby, Texas, could blow, because refrigerators keeping them at stable temperatures have lost power, the company said in a statement Tuesday.
“As of late this afternoon, the situation at the Crosby site had become serious,” the company said in a statement. “At this time, while we do not believe there is any imminent danger, the potential for a chemical reaction leading to a fire and/or explosion within the site confines is real.”
Arkema makes chemicals used to produce products including PVC and fiberglass.
But its products must be kept at temperatures as low as 30 degrees or they risk bursting into flames, a worker at a nearby plant told the Washington Post.
The plant has been shut down since Friday, the company said. Since then, 40 inches of rain killed power to its refrigerators. Workers tried to move the chemicals to diesel-powered backup coolers, but those too flooded.
Meantime local officials called for neighbors to leave the surrounding area.
“As a protective measure Harris County has evacuated all residents within 1.5 miles of the Arkema facility,” the Harris County Fire Marshal Office tweeted.

Seems like they're saying there's nothing left to do but back up and watch the fireworks.

Crosby fire officials are bracing for an explosion at the Arkema chemical plant in the city where floodwaters have knocked out power and generators needed to keep volatile chemicals stored at the facility cool.

All employees of the plant at 18000 Crosby Eastgate Road were evacuated late Tuesday, as were resident from about 300 homes within a mile and a half of the plant.

At a press conference Wednesday, Rich Rowe, Arkema's CEO said that if the volatile organic peroxides stored at the plant get too warm, some sort of explosion is inevitable.

"There is no way to prevent an explosion or fire," Rowe said.

[Flagg]

Some leaking. Roof is damaged in some way which lead to sheetrock damage. I'm thankful that's all we have considering what millions have dealt with, but dealing with it is going to be annoying finding a roofer and filing a claim.

I feel shitty even being annoyed about it.

On a more cheerful note, that Forbes article I linked to has apparently been driven off the Internet after basically everyone who's not a frictionless spherical mass of economic self-interest pointed out everything wrong with it.

That actually.... pisses me off even more. You want to say something shitty, have the balls to back it up or admit you were being an ass and print a retraction. Even digging in his heels would have given me a bit of a reason to show some respect. But this "oh what? What article? No comment" is the shittiest of the shitty.

Hey, the retraction would work out for them since it gives MORE people a reason to deal with their shitty adwall.

Yup. I hear that the price gouging scum are charging people $99 for a bag of ice. I look forward to their stores being looted and/or their prosecution. Unless Texas has no laws against price gouging which would suck but sadly not shock me.

[Broomstick]

There were explosions at the Arkema chemical plant last night as feared/predicted.

[aerius]

Yup. I hear that the price gouging scum are charging people $99 for a bag of ice. I look forward to their stores being looted and/or their prosecution. Unless Texas has no laws against price gouging which would suck but sadly not shock me.

They'll be prosecuted alright. We make a lot of jokes about Texas and Florida and boy do they have some shitty laws, but some things are serious business.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/S ... .htm#17.46

Sec. 17.46. DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES UNLAWFUL. (a) False, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce are hereby declared unlawful and are subject to action by the consumer protection division under Sections 17.47, 17.58, 17.60, and 17.61 of this code.

(b) Except as provided in Subsection (d) of this section, the term "false, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices" includes, but is not limited to, the following acts:
(27) taking advantage of a disaster declared by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code, by:
(A) selling or leasing fuel, food, medicine, or another necessity at an exorbitant or excessive price; or
(B) demanding an exorbitant or excessive price in connection with the sale or lease of fuel, food, medicine, or another necessity;

[Flagg]

Yup. I hear that the price gouging scum are charging people $99 for a bag of ice. I look forward to their stores being looted and/or their prosecution. Unless Texas has no laws against price gouging which would suck but sadly not shock me.

They'll be prosecuted alright. We make a lot of jokes about Texas and Florida and boy do they have some shitty laws, but some things are serious business.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/S ... .htm#17.46

Sec. 17.46. DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES UNLAWFUL. (a) False, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce are hereby declared unlawful and are subject to action by the consumer protection division under Sections 17.47, 17.58, 17.60, and 17.61 of this code.

(b) Except as provided in Subsection (d) of this section, the term "false, misleading, or deceptive acts or practices" includes, but is not limited to, the following acts:
(27) taking advantage of a disaster declared by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code, by:
(A) selling or leasing fuel, food, medicine, or another necessity at an exorbitant or excessive price; or
(B) demanding an exorbitant or excessive price in connection with the sale or lease of fuel, food, medicine, or another necessity;

Sweet.

I know FL has them because I remember all the prosecutions after Francis and Jean hit us in the exact same place within a month, but I wasn't sure about TX since, you know, TX.

[Raw Shark]

Who the fuck needs ice that badly? I'd put that in the luxury column before the food one. Oh, you've got perishable food? Is it worth $100/day? Then eat it now or write it off. Oh, you're hot? Go stick your head in the five feet of water, genius. I think it would be sheer lunacy to prosecute somebody for this case of gouging. Milk, bread, baby formula? Sure. But ice? Please.

[Broomstick]

Who the fuck needs ice that badly?

Insulin dependent diabetics. Most forms of insulin require chilling.

There are also people with severe health problems who can't tolerate high heat. The usual thing is to evacuate them to an area with power, but while you're waiting you'll want to keep them cool.

Granted, most people wanting ice during such a disaster aren't such, but you did ask who might really need it.

[Dragon Angel]

Uh, the flood waters are very likely to contain a cornucopia of pathogens and sewage ..... not exactly something I'd take a bath in, if that is what you are speaking of.

[TheFeniX]

Who the fuck needs ice that badly? I'd put that in the luxury column before the food one. Oh, you've got perishable food? Is it worth $100/day? Then eat it now or write it off. Oh, you're hot? Go stick your head in the five feet of water, genius. I think it would be sheer lunacy to prosecute somebody for this case of gouging. Milk, bread, baby formula? Sure. But ice? Please.

Are you being coy here? Honest Question. I might go for a walk in some of this water, but I'm not putting my eyes, mouth, nose, or ears anywhere near it. Ice can also be used to help treat injuries or illness. It's not the best solution, but if all I've got is a bag of ice to help break a fever or cool off someone suffering from heatstroke/exhaustion, I'll take it.

Yes, even though OUTSIDE it got pretty cool, I generally don't want injured people outside with rain and 40MPH (minimum, that's about what we got) gusts. And if the A/C is out or overloaded: it can get hot and muggy indoors incredibly quickly.

And these stories generally don't come out of "Guy needed ice for a martini," but more "EMTs showed up and needed ice/water and paid the $100 out of their own pocket." My EMT buddy did this personally during Ike. Him and his crew didn't get "gouged" exactly, but the ice and water they bought was at least double what you should pay normally.

So, I don't know your angle here as you've generally come off as pretty cool. But if you aren't just playing this for laughs or being coy, then I'd have to go with "you're being an asshole." So.... Texas is definitely your state.

Sweet.

I know FL has them because I remember all the prosecutions after Francis and Jean hit us in the exact same place within a month, but I wasn't sure about TX since, you know, TX.

TX has some decent laws depending when it comes to consumer protection. This however can swing both ways. In THIS CASE however, Texas is seemingly pointed in the right direction.

EDIT: so, watching the News, they had THE. MOST. TEXAN. motherfucker out there. And he's talking about the flood and it's like "See this! This here is rain water. That's what we got here, is a whole lot of RAIN WATER!" I need to find the video.

I mean, he's talking about how the Brazos didn't crest, so it's just rain flooding. But the way he's talking it sounds like the dumbest asshole alive because it's like "Rain come from th' sky. That's why it's called rain, ya hear?" I really need his audio as my ringtone.

[Simon_Jester]

So, I don't know your angle here as you've generally come off as pretty cool. But if you aren't just playing this for laughs or being coy, then I'd have to go with "you're being an asshole." So.... Texas is definitely your state.

Raw Shark is an able-bodied guy and while I don't know where-all he's lived over his life, the area he says he's in NOW doesn't usually experience this kind of massive natural disaster. He might just not know.

Or, might be assholing. No skin off my nose either way.

I mean, if I wasn't the kind of person who just took for granted that people need that ice given that they even bother paying $99 for it, I might wonder myself.

EDIT: so, watching the News, they had THE. MOST. TEXAN. motherfucker out there. And he's talking about the flood and it's like "See this! This here is rain water. That's what we got here, is a whole lot of RAIN WATER!" I need to find the video.

I mean, he's talking about how the Brazos didn't crest, so it's just rain flooding. But the way he's talking it sounds like the dumbest asshole alive because it's like "Rain come from th' sky. That's why it's called rain, ya hear?" I really need his audio as my ringtone.

What was his point? I mean, I can imagine, if I were Texan and trying to remedy ignorance about the storm, I might deliberately hulk out and ramp up my Texan-ness in an attempt to out-Texan the most ignorant, cowboy-hat-humping members of my audience.

Alternatively, if I were looking for an expert to explain something so that 100% of Texans got it, I'd want someone whose Texan-cred was so indisputable that no Texan would dismiss them as a... whatever word Texans use for foreigners?

Or it could just be that he's a dumbass. No skin off my nose.

[TheFeniX]

The flying ants are out and they are angry! One bastard got me right on the gddamn clavicle. And now every 10 seconds or so, the burn starts and I'm like "HE'S BACK!" But he's not because I already killed his ass yet his legacy remains.

I mean, if I wasn't the kind of person who just took for granted that people need that ice given that they even bother paying $99 for it, I might wonder myself.

Isn't he isn't New Jersey or something, or at least New England? I was up there once in August and it was like 40F. Guys were wearing those... "puffy jackets," they have "rolls" like the Michelin Man with Basketball logos and shit. I've only ever seen them in shows like ER (Mark Green wore one all the time) because Northerners seem to wear them.

Anyways, I was outside smoking in a shirt and slacks and the valet is like "sir, can I get you a jacket?" And I responded with "Man, it's like 100F with 90% humidity in Texas right now. I'm enjoying this while I can." Man, when we landed at Bush Int a few days later and that heat hit my face.... ugh. Still, choosing between THAT or New Jersey.....

Either way, if New Englanders need ice, I guess they can just shake out their coats on a given day.

What was his point? I mean, I can imagine, if I were Texan and trying to remedy ignorance about the storm, I might deliberately hulk out and ramp up my Texan-ness in an attempt to out-Texan the most ignorant, cowboy-hat-humping members of my audience.

Guy was out of Richmond and was a local they were interviewing. He was trying to explain to the Houston reporter that we weren't getting "river flooding" from the Brazos cresting, just lot's of "see this, this here is rain water."

He was making a solid point, it's just.... holy shit what a redneck. Guy was fucking legit though. Looked like a thin Wilford Brimley.

[Flagg]

Who the fuck needs ice that badly? I'd put that in the luxury column before the food one. Oh, you've got perishable food? Is it worth $100/day? Then eat it now or write it off. Oh, you're hot? Go stick your head in the five feet of water, genius. I think it would be sheer lunacy to prosecute somebody for this case of gouging. Milk, bread, baby formula? Sure. But ice? Please.

Umm, it tends to be really fucking hot in the summer and staying out of flood water and pools is rule #1. Ice is about as much of a luxury as clean water to drink.

[Flagg]

Guy was out of Richmond and was a local they were interviewing. He was trying to explain to the Houston reporter that we weren't getting "river flooding" from the Brazos cresting, just lot's of "see this, this here is rain water."

He was making a solid point, it's just.... holy shit what a redneck. Guy was fucking legit though. Looked like a thin Wilford Brimley.

Meth is a hell of a drug.

And man, after Francis I was walking to the convenience store and didn't realize a yard was under 3-4 feet of water and ended up covered in floating fire ants (nothing short of pouring molten metal into their nest kills those fuckers, they're like a T-1000) and my dick and nutsack had at least 20-30 stings. That fucking hurts. I'd rather run a cheese grater over my dickhead.

[TheFeniX]

My wife decided to take a walk during a lul in the rain.
"Watch out for piles of pissed off floating ants holding hands for survival."
"I KNOW."
"whatever"
:5 minutes pass, she's walking by the side of the house, I can see her through the window blinds:
"owowowowowwowowOW OW OW OW!"
Talking to myself sarcastically in that goofy voice - "I know, I know, hur hur."
:turn the volume up on the TV:
She comes in all mad: "I got stung by fire ants."
"no shit"

Husband of the year.

[TheFeniX]

Good god, the entire town I work in smells like a combination of cow shit and human feces. I don't know if I should be angrier at that or because this job has given me the ability to understand the difference and combination.

[Flagg]

My wife decided to take a walk during a lul in the rain.
"Watch out for piles of pissed off floating ants holding hands for survival."
"I KNOW."
"whatever"
:5 minutes pass, she's walking by the side of the house, I can see her through the window blinds:
"owowowowowwowowOW OW OW OW!"
Talking to myself sarcastically in that goofy voice - "I know, I know, hur hur."
:turn the volume up on the TV:
She comes in all mad: "I got stung by fire ants."
"no shit"

Husband of the year.

The only positive was that I didn't need lube to jack off for a week because the pustules on my shaft would pop and give me all I needed for free.


That's actually a lie, it hurt so much I didn't bust a nut for 6 weeks.

(Post of the year!)

[Dragon Angel]

I am sure glad I'm a Northerner and consequently, after Sandy, did not need to deal with roving ant mobs... WTF?

[Flagg]

I am sure glad I'm a Northerner and consequently, after Sandy, did not need to deal with roving ant mobs... WTF?

Yeah, it's a thing. Even just heavy rains can cause rafts made out of ant colonies to float around and you don't want one to run into you. It's happened to me several times during my time living in America's Wang.