houstonians - how bad will it be in sugarland?

[IsaacsStorm]

i live in texas city and know i need to get out. most of my family is going to bunker down at my aunts house in sugarland (ft bend cty). we are going to board the windows and have plenty of supplies (food, water, batteries, first aid etc). do you think our chances are good?

i have looked for hotel rooms but everything in tx east of midland odessa is booked. my only other option is to take my pets and just start driving. it makes me nervous to think i might still be on the road when the storm comes with no where to stop and shelter.

any ideas?

[Raider Power]

Sugarland could experience hurricane force winds for a number of hours depending on how quickly it begins to dissipate and how fast moving Rita becomes after coming ashore.

[collegebroke]

We're in Sugar Land and we plan to head to San Antonio tomorrow

[IsaacsStorm]

k...so would i be better off just driving, even if i dont have a place to stay?

how strong do you think the winds would be there - would it still be cat 4/5? i know they will be hurricane force, but does anyone have an idea how strong?

is it possible we will get the eye?

[djtil]

based on latest models...not very bad.....

keep fingers crossed for houston/galveston.....looks like models are converging on a solution well south now.

[jasons2k]

based on latest models...not very bad.....

keep fingers crossed for houston/galveston.....looks like models are converging on a solution well south now.

Sugar Land is SW of Houston. I would leave.

[IsaacsStorm]

k....thats good to know. my grandmother will be there too, and she isnt very healthy . i would feel aweful leaving everyone there, but if it was going to be cat 4 there or something, i would tell them to leave and then just run. i dont mind a few days without power...i just dont wanna die.

[djtil]

k....thats good to know. my grandmother will be there too, and she isnt very healthy . i would feel aweful leaving everyone there, but if it was going to be cat 4 there or something, i would tell them to leave and then just run. i dont mind a few days without power...i just dont wanna die.

a couple things to ask yourself.

1. is the area flood prone.....houston has had plenty of heavy rain events for you to know this...

2. are there large trees where you plan on staying.

those are the 2 dangerous things when well inland...where the surge wont be an issue.

based on the official track, sugarland will be 75-100 miles from the center and would probably receive strong TS force winds sustained and a couple gusts to hurricane force.

sugarland would also be in a prime area for tornados.

[IsaacsStorm]

i asked about those things.... the area is not flood prone, they have lived there since 2000 and it didnt flood for allison and doesn't flood during storms. there is one big tree nearby, but its way back on the greenbelt. its on a cul du sac with other large homes on both sides and a greenbelt behind. the only real concern is the cars...we dont know where we will park them and hurricane winds could tip them, right?

seriously, if i should go i will go, im just scared of being stuck on the freeway with no where to stay and a storm coming

[djtil]

if the track moved 50 miles north and you got the ne eyewall of a cat 4 landfalling storm, cars might be flipped even 20 miles inland. if the track stays as is damage like this would be unlikely outside of tornados.

personally, if i were in your situation i would be planning on staying but watching the track very closely....if it starts trending north i would probably leave.

you would likely be ok on the traffic front if you left at least 24 hours before landfall....which would mean you should leave Friday morning at the latest. this would leave plenty of guardband to avoid the scenario of actually getting stuck in your car when the eye got close.

[djtil]

duplicate

[curtadams]

If it didn't flood in Allison, is far inland, and there aren't any trees, it should be OK. It takes a lot more than TS winds to tip a car - that's more like Cat 4 - although flying debris commonly smashes windows. Check with local authorities and sites, though - they may know something your family doesn't.

[jopatura]

My parents live near Sugarland and if the course stays how it is now or comes more north, we've been told to expect 100+ winds. Which is bad for our house, because it did bad during Alicia. So... yeah, I'm scared.

[IsaacsStorm]

yeh, im pretty scared too. this is my first hurricane. i would just rather be with my family and friends then be out driving alone, as long as its not too dangerous. we are boarding up windows tonight (no matter what it costs). my gas tank is full so if the storm turns north i can leave tomorrow night if necessary. i hope that doesnt happen. i just know i am going to lose everything

[Lori]

You would be much better off staying with your family than out on the road driving alone with no place to go. You are safer in a boarded up house, with no trees around it than in your car. Storm surge/flooding causes the majority of deaths in storms. Alot of the severe wind damage you see inland is caused by tornados. This is going to be scarey no matter what you do. Going through it alone would be worse. Be calm, so you can make good decisions. Of course if you are in the cone for a hurricane you should evacuate to someplace safer. Right now your house with your family is safer than out on the road alone. Be Safe

[Houstonia]

yeh, im pretty scared too. this is my first hurricane. i would just rather be with my family and friends then be out driving alone, as long as its not too dangerous. we are boarding up windows tonight (no matter what it costs). my gas tank is full so if the storm turns north i can leave tomorrow night if necessary. i hope that doesnt happen. i just know i am going to lose everything

Isaacstorm, I will be right down the street from you sheltering with my parents in Sharpstown. Our biggest fear is from tornadoes.

Expect the house to creak, expect the power to go out, and just hunker down in the hallway.