We left Beaumont at 3:30 a.m. yesterday morning and made it to Bella Vista, Arkansas (Northwest corner of Arkansas) at 7:30 p.m. Thank God for the Texas Department of Public Transportation which was giving free gas so we were able to gas up on the way out (we had used most of our gas in gridlock the day before and had to drive home after 7 hours of traveling 20 miles because we couldn't get anywhere). Thank God we turned back though because from what I hear, a lot of those people had to be transported to Houston or points north on buses because they were still stuck on the road the next day (yesterday).
I drove one of the cars (mine) the whole way and I never want to get in a car again. We made it safely though and were only in gridlock a few times. The problem now is how will we get home (more gridlock? gas?), when will we go home and what will we go home to?
My dad stayed in Silsbee with some of my sister's in-laws and we haven't heard from him, yet. My sister-in-law's mother just called from Jasper and two trees have hit their house (one hit while they were on the phone). I don't know if they crashed through it or what. My sister, Terry and some of her other in-laws are in Nacogdoches and they should be getting hit right now but we haven't heard from her, yet, either. I also have family in Lafayette that we haven't heard from, yet.
So far, the news doesn't look nearly as bad as it could have been. We're still watching. Thanks for your concern everyone and I'll keep you posted. I swear I have some funny stories out of all of this but my notes are in the car (just like a true reporter).
Peace out and I'll check back in later.
14 comments:
Great!
It's great that you are safe. Thanks for the email advisory. Made me feel warm all over.
Laurie!!! I am glued to CNN here-- don't go back! Thank yo for letting us know. Hope for the best for the erst of your family too.
No news of my Silsbee friends yet.
Aisha
Laurie, I am so glad you left. I was worried. Heather and I drove to Plano -- 13 hours -- 2 cars and 3 dogs. I can't really describe the trip, but I felt really bad whining about it when I met another lady from Bmt who made the same trip, but it was 26 hours, 3 little kids, 2 grandparents, 2 cars and 3 dogs. Anything Heather and I experienced pales by comparison.
hey! glad to know your alright. we have been trying to call. we are fine...in denton north of dallas.we talked to cj and he is ok. call if you can hotel # is940-383-1471. cells are....293-0533 & 293-0532. love ya'll
So gald to hear you made it. When I heard on the news tonight that Beaumont took a direct hit, I had my fingers crossed that you and yours had made it out okay.
Glad you made it out. What an incredible drag on the day before - seven hours to go nowhere! Did they have both sides of the freeway open to outbound traffic?
Beaumont's in the news, but I won't believe anything until you get back and file your reports.
Glad you made it back safely!
Laurie, I emailed you back last night at your gmail address.
Also, I talked to Mona this morning. She said "no rush" on getting back. They expect to have an informational website up for us soon.
My poor Silsbee is flattened. :( Mom and Tim are going back tomorrow. First, they're stocking up. God only knows how long they'll be without power and water. I am staying here in BR. Brian said there was no sense in my going back and getting upset over what I saw if I couldn't do anything about it. If you need to reach me, email me or call Brian's (I emailed you with that number earlier).
Love and be careful,
Jen
Susan - Amen.
Old Horsetail - I'm glad you're warm all over.
Aisha - I hope you hear from them soon.
Mercy - Thanks!
Mary Beth - Girl, I can't wait until we can get back to work and get back to normal and have our regular morning chats.
Cindy and Alan - Love you, too! We're taking care of your mom. See you soon!!
Old Roses - It isn't looking too good down there but we're safe up here.
Larry - We were on a little two lane road and it wasn't set up for traffic to go both ways but people were doing it anyway. Very scary.
Peggy - We made it out safely. I hope we can make it back the same way. Looks like we will be here a few more days.
Jen - Like I told Mary Beth above. I can't wait until we're all back at work working our asses off.
Glad to hear you are safe, Laurie! These hurricanes scare the shit out of me!!!
Glad you are safe.
There is a lotta Karma coming your way!
Astrid - We who live along the coast have also developed a healthy fear of those monsters. It hasn't always been that way.
K - Thanks!
Kelly - The good kind, I hope. :)
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