Damage Assessment
The Houston Chronicle has the most complete look at the stories surrounding the effects of the storm, but a couple of people noted special places that are gone.
Suzie at Echidne of the Snakes notes that the Balinese Room, Galveston nightclub that was located on pilings over the water has been destroyed, and Cookie Jill was affected by the loss of Brennan’s, a well-regarded Houston restaurant that was lost to a fire caused by the hurricane.
Anyone who stayed on the western end of Galveston island has to be presumed dead, because there is only debris left. Houses were ripped off of their pilings, and many are now out in the water. People have no real concept of the power of the storm surge.
Have a look at what the storm surge from Hurricane Ivan did to the Interstate 10 bridge between Santa Rosa and Escambia counties West of me. That was a fairly new bridge, but the reinforced concrete decking was pushed off the supports.
Update: Hipparchia has more pictures of the bridge.
8 comments
The Brennan Family is one of the most well known and well chronicled families in the country, let alone the restaurant business. And, any local long time restaurant becomes an institution in the eyes and memories of those who celebrated special times there…sharing food and drink with friends and family. Losing a beloved restaurant is, well, like losing family.
A lovely little rememberance of Brennan’s by a HChron writer…
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/6000371.html
I assumed it was related to the restaurant in NOLA, which I have been to, although I never went to the one in Houston. When my cousins were stationed at Ellington in Houston, they had too many kids to afford a really nice restaurant on a government salary.
same bridge, different view [i-10]
And people think they can ride these things out in their homes because they have a brick facade. Thinning the herd.
Bryan…what do you know about No Fly Zones around the Ike hit area? Something to be concerned about?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/14/22830/8407/27/598996
The Shrubbery is coming to visit, so all aerial traffic has to stay out of the area. To do this during the middle of an active search and rescue operation in the affected area should be grounds for impeachment as it endangers lives, but nothing will happen.
If I was the incident commander I would have refused to allow this to happen, but Texas is a Republican state.
What’s complete up-is-downism in this election cycle is the idea that if the CoC doesn’t show up for a photo op, then they’re not doing anything.
To me, a good manager keeps tabs on stuff, but stays the heck out of the way of people who know their job.
“Good MANAGER”!!????! I’m sorry but those words associated with anyone in the entire administration cause an instant sardonic laugh reaction.
Slap Wi-Fi webcams on a few choppers and let him watch from a secure location out from underfoot.
Dress up the “White House Traveling Players” as first responders and take a few pictures.
It’s not like any of the local pols wants their picture taken with him.