In its brief lifespan of only 13 days, Hurricane Ike wreaked a great deal of havoc. Affecting several countries including Cuba, Haiti, and the United States, Ike is blamed for approximately 114 known deaths (74 in Haiti alone), and damages that are still being tallied, with estimates topping $10 billion. Many shoreline communities of Galveston, Texas were wiped from the map by the winds, storm surge and the walls of debris pushed along by Ike - though Galveston was spared the level of disaster it suffered in 1900. (28 photos total)  Photo #11 says it all

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/the_short_but_eventful_life_of.html

Thank you for sharing this. I litterally welled up after seeing the last picture. It is unbeleivable what the island and Houston went through. Amazing so few died.

 I have appreciated all your posts. Thanks and have a great cruise.

thank you for posting that. We live bout 30 miles north of Houston and were hit really hard by Ike. We had 100+mph winds here for about 15 or more hours straight and it was a nightmare! The screaming of the wind and the explosion like sounds of trees being uprooted and falling on houses, were something I never ever want to live thru again. I'm a native Houstonian and have now gone thru 3 hurricanes - Carla, Alicia and now Ike. You never forget something like this and I am thankful that we lived thru it with just damage to our home and property. It definitely causes some to have post-traumatic stress disorder (and I know that I have it) and I pray that all of us who keep reliving that horrrible night and day will have God hold us in the palm of His hand and heal us. Again, thank you for posting that link.  Jill

We live real close to Bridge City. It was wiped out by the surge. When we got to come backSunday driving though there was real bad. I felt so bad for everybody who was affected. We go to Galveston alot. We were hit by Rita but were not wiped out. We were blessed this time with no damage. Well can'twait till tomorrow.

then no more going the beach road and ferry for you. we are originally from port arthur. lots of friends and family lived in bridge city. was there a dry patch of land anywhere in bridge city anywhere? if so i sure never saw it. seeing the main drag of 4-6 foot in every business in town. we lived in port acres before moving to louisiana and talked to a man the other day that had a cousin that had 11 foot water in his house in port acres. also a barge was stuck on hwy 73 until today when the hwy opened again. it went from sabine pass to hwy 73 near port acres.

let us know how it goes on the cruise. also the traffic getting there via hwy 10/ then 146 rather than the beach road.

have fun

we live in Groves

I hope EVERYONE who visits this site is able to see the photos texaspepper posted on this site via the link.  And I hope everyone stops complaining about how their cruise was ruined because a cruise ship was rerouted or a port was missed in the interest of avoiding a hurricane or any other storm.  All you complainers would really have something to complain about if you were on a ship that had to weather a storm. 

Coming back (northbound) on the Mexican Riviera cruises it can get a little rough and things on the ship rattle and shake (like everything on the dinner table), and we hear a bit of creaking from the ship - I cannot imagine what it would be like to be in or even near a hurricane.

Our house was destroyed in the Northridge earthquake and to me, a hurricane seems far worse.

texaspepper:

In its brief lifespan of only 13 days, Hurricane Ike wreaked a great deal of havoc. Affecting several countries including Cuba, Haiti, and the United States, Ike is blamed for approximately 114 known deaths (74 in Haiti alone), and damages that are still being tallied, with estimates topping $10 billion. Many shoreline communities of Galveston, Texas were wiped from the map by the winds, storm surge and the walls of debris pushed along by Ike - though Galveston was spared the level of disaster it suffered in 1900. (28 photos total)  Photo #11 says it all

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/the_short_but_eventful_life_of.html

Thanks to you Texaspepper for posting the link.  This is another with tons of before and after photos. http://www.galveston.com/hurricaneikeslideshows/

 We in Harris/Galveston/Chambers/Hardin/Walker/Montgomery/FtBend and all other counties affected by Hurricane Ike appreciate the well-wishes of so many people.  Ike was a horrendous storm, wreaking havoc from the Caribbean to points north of Kentucky.  He caused many of us the loss of homes, loss of familiarity and security, and as someone posted earlier PTSD.  There remains over 300 people missing and we pray that their lives are not lost but fear the worst. 

Yes, cruise schedules were screwed up and I am quite sure Hurricane Ike would apologize if he still existed.  Only his aftermath continues, the ships continue to sail, people get on and off, maybe slowly but the cruise eventually sets sail.  We were to sail on 9-21 but with no power, and a large tree where it didn't belong we chose to postpone - Carnival was extremely kind and helpful from the minute I called them.  My PVP immediately directed me to the Research group in Colorado where Lacey and others took care of our trip re-schedule.  I cannot thank them enough for the empathy they showed. 

Please continue to remember the folks along the Gulf Coast who have literally lost everything - never to find it again.  Wonderful communities just aren't there any more - I only hope and pray that they are given the inner strength to deal with their losses and to rebuild their lives. 

caryn

caryn,

Thank you for your kind words.  No one could have prevented any of this, but so many have complained about the inconveniences on their cruises--they don't know what inconveniences are, and Carnival did the best they could with what they had to work with, and they still are, trying to work out of a strange port.  I am thankful that we have port that took us in for the time being. 

Sorry, for the problems you had.   We were inland, and were able to provide refuge to evacuees, but initially we were prepared to leave too, until he settled on his path.  I am glad that you will be able to sail later on.  I too hope that those that lost everything will have that strength to start over--and it does take a strength that most of us won't ever know.