Disaster Blogging 3

My three readers may understand my callousness towards the imminent danger but the random stranger may not. For those readers this is the Mad Oilman primer/FAQ.

So why have we not abandoned Houston?

The Mad Oilman compound exists outside the 500 year flood plain. We're on really, really high ground close to downtown. And the property itself is about 3 feet higher than the street ( a kind of hill). And the house is on piers another 3 feet up. If we flood the entire State of Texas floods. Or at least a third of it does.

Why am I so nonchalant about a Category Five hurricane?

In reality, I'm not. I'm also not moving. The Mad Oilman compound was originally constructed in 1929. The majority of the glass (windows) is original. The roof (believeit or not) is original. I have to predrill holes in the ship lap to hang a picture. Nails shatter in this ancient hardened wood. This old lady has been through storm after storm after storm in her history. I trust her.

How do you prepare?

Food, water. Critical. And taken care of. Everything near a window will be moved to the interior. 250 trash bags will protect the artwork, computers, and all other water abhorrent items. Dining room table moved to the interior, with a futon placed on top and blankets around will serve as a refuge of last resort. And there will be a hand hatchet, a crowbar, and a knife to dig out from the refuge if it comes down to that (it will not).

And after the worst hits, lots of candles, a radio and a battery operated TV for info, and games to pass the time. But we'll most likely be in the neighborhood checking on our neighbors and making sure there are no shenanigans going on. Can't have those after a big storm. This is Texas. Not Louisiana.