It Doesn't Look Too Bad

Rivrdog here, posting some news of the Cap'n Jim.

He's safe in his hidey-hole up NW of Houston. The house suffered no damage and the storm has passed. His ship's crew, including his fur-bearing shipmates, are all OK. The house has no utility service at all, and no ETIC for those lost utilities. He did not give any return time, but that's going to depend on the authorities in Galveston, who are still assessing. I just heard a news bulletin that said that the Galveston Mayor and Emergency staff had made it back onto the island, but the bulletin didn't say how they got there, by bridge or whether they had to boat across the channel. That piece of info is vital, so if any readers know of any Galveston traffic cams still operating, please scan them and see if they still show intact bridges and post your observations in the comments below.

NOAA's harbor-level monitoring equipment DID survive and recorded the bay conditions as the hurricane passed to the east. The air pressure went down to 883mb, the water temperature dropped by 7 degrees (probably due to the colder water at the bottom of the bay getting stirred up to the surface) and the bay EMPTIED OUT. That is huge news.

With the bay dropping below minus two feet (at pier 21), the Sloop New Dawn probably ran aground in her moorings, which would prevent any damage from wind-waves, which wouldn't be high enough to damage her. Jim has told us that he tied her up in a way so as to prevent damage in case of this happening.

It may be a bit early to raise a hearty hoo-rah, but I'm guessing he WILL have a boat to come back to, and one that probably won't require much work to set right.

Stay tuned.

Rivrdog, listening, out.

Comments

[Kevin Buchanan]

Great news, thus far! Hopefully, the New Dawn will require but a minimum of time to get back to her old self.

Glad to hear that everybody's made it through just fine. Let's hope the same is true of the bridges and causeways at Galveston.

Stay safe, everybody - well wishes from Fort Worth!

Kevin Buchanan
atomicglee.com

[Trish]

I've been following Jim's story and am keeping my fingers crossed that everything is going to turn out okay. I was amazed to see MSNBC coverage late last night that showed boats docked in Galveston that still had their sails up - it sounds like Jim did absolutely everything he could to protect New Dawn.

He's lucky to have so many friends concerned about his welfare and who are letting the rest of us know how he's doing. He and the friends he is staying with continue to be in my thoughts, as well as all the people in the affected areas.

[MK]

Thanks so much for the update Rivrdog! Glad to hear they came through with only losing utilities..one major worry down! I, too, saw photos of boats in Galveston intact so perhaps the many prayers have paid off for the New Dawn. Jim, sending ya'll hugs, prayers and nose rubs for the furry ones from your friends in Fort Worth.

[Sharon]

Sure sounds good for New Dawn..Will keep my fingers crossed.
Thanks for the update, Riverdog.

[MorningGlory]

This is great news. I've been following all Jim's and Rivrdog's posts and I'm so pleased that everyone is intact and ready to face tomorrow. Sounds like New Dawn may be in better condition than we could have hoped as Jim was leaving; I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[Tammy]

Thankyou Riverdog for the update !!

I watched the news a bit ago , and Galvaston Island did not get hardley any damage, I am sure the New Dawn came out fine and Jim does have a home to go back to , All I seen on Tv and Heard from a friend who called a Friend from there Cell In and Around Galvaston area , was some down Trees and broken windows, Part of the Island has electricity and Part of it does not .

Winds in my Area have picked up to 35 miles a hour and it is so nice and cool , no 100 degree weather today : )

Glad Jim and His Friends are safe and everything came out fine so far , Amazing what Prayer can do

[Tammy]

Oh , Historic District in Galvaston did however get some major dammage

[Everett Curtis]

Based on the local media coverage, it sounded to me like the Mayor and the rest of the island's government were riding out the storm at the San Luis Hotel.

TranStar's traffic camera net is working, as the news channels keep showing feeds, but not accessible online at this time.

I-45 is closed north of Tiki Island. The Bolivar ferry is also not operating, and I haven't heard anything about the San Luis Pass bridge. The last official word I heard was that Galveston Island will be closed indefinitely and no one should return until the all-clear is given.

Earlier today there was a helicopter fly-over of most of the island that was broadcast live on all the local TV channels. Most of Galveston appears to have fared very well with only very minor damage. The worst seems to have been a fire near the Strand. (Last night all the stations covered it ad naseum because there wasn't anything else interesting going on.)

I live just north on I-10 at Mason Rd. (just west of the Houston city limits) and out here we got moderate wind and very little rain. Power, water, cable, and internet (obviously) are all on for me, though I've heard from some people that there's a few neighborhoods without power.

However, there's no gas or food to be had. Based on what the news stations and Chronicle have reported, there won't be any gas until tomorrow at the earliest and most of the big stores (Wal-Mart, etc.) won't reopen today. It looks like this will be the story for all the greater Houston area.

[Marcus]

No, not that bad. Or..not as bad as it could have been. Jim's sloopy probably made it with nary a scratch...we're hoping that way anyway.
Some can say what they want, and be ashamed if it's bad, but I think the city officials from Galveston and the area surrounding, up through Houston and beyond, did an outstanding job of exercising leadership.

Now they have to help get those folks back home safely. Take it easy out there!

[Dana]

I've been keeping Jim in my prayers constantly. Especially the S.N.D. and that she would be well-guarded from the storm.
Sounds as if that is a great possibility at this point...

Hoping to hear more good news. And, next time to talk to Jim, please let him know that I send him my warmest regards. Thank you.

[Dana]

(Dang...failed to proofread...obviously).

[Rivrdog]

All great news. I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOO proud to be in this FAMILY. Yes, I expect that the Galveston civic authorities will be put down as having just written the book on how to do it right.

Ray Nagin, we'll send you a copy of that book.

[Robert]

Well, let's just hope he didn't roll or drink any anticipated insurance settlement away while he was on dry land like MOST sailors would have.....
That said, maybe I could pledge five bucks and a receipe for cathead soup to his reconstruction.

[Eric]

.. excellent, excellent news..

[Everett Curtis]

It looks like the mayor of Galveston has changed her mind.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/5016125/detail.html

They're letting residents in right now, and it'll be open to everyone tomorrow.

[Indigo]

Finally some GOOD news. Get home, Jim.

[Rivrdog]

See the latest post, "Captain's Orders" above.

Jim won't be going back to the New Dawn for a few days.

He's well, and in a tolerable frame of mind, considering he's a beached Sailor.

Please don't call to chat with him. He pays by the minute for cell, and has to pay a buck a minute to roam up in the puckerbrush where he's holed up.

Rivrdog, out.