How would you prepare??

[catherine]

Lol...be careful what you offer, Laurie...cuz if we're all missing barns and houses after this, we may all call on the rest of "the Family" to come help us all rebuild! lol. How do you feel about pitching in on, oh...4 or 5 KFC family barns?! lol. No, seriously, I think we're all going to be ok. We haven't boarded up the windows either, but taped them, and the blinds drawn down and taped, too. We've pulled all the furniture away from the windows and plan to sleep together in the living room, tonight...slumber party style, as the kids are kinda scared. We have all the potted plants, benches and such tucked into the garage to limit the number of things that can blow around out there, and wow, I didn't realize just how many of those I really have! ;D The generator is loaded with gas, and ready, as is the chain saw...so all we can do is...wait...and wait...and worry. I keep going over in my mind how we have the animals situated, and I keep wondering if there was more we could have done to make them safe. The bottom line is, if the wind is going to tear down a Barn and/or flatten the woods, there's nothing more we could do to protect the animals. If the barn stands, and the woods aren't flattened, the critters should be fine...unless they freak and run...in which case I wish I'd thought about "tagging" each of them, but that's a good idea for next time, I guess. Wow, this waiting is torture. I'm ready for this all to be over, so we can find out that everyone is safe! Well, I guess we should know by Sunday, and can start digging out.

If you'd like, maybe we can all try to report in to you guys, as long as we can...might be an interesting story line from your "Reporters on the scene with Hurricane Ike"! lol. Personally, I'm hoping we have nothing exciting to report!!!

This is Catherine, reporting on Hurricane Ike, signing off for now from Spring Texas.

P.S. Hope everyone has a camera ready to take photos for our News Flashes! Lol.

[Tammy]

Yes, yes, yes...............report when you can! We want to know you are safe!!!!!!!

Tammy

[Laurieks]

My husband said he ready to build pens, and put up more fences if needed, bring those animals to Kansas.

Lots of room in our house even with all my children. Storms are always exciting and scary, part of me is having so much fun, and the other isn't. I pray it is enjoyable and good family time together.

I just looked up the weather where some of you live, sounds like you are going to have a rocken night.
Keep us posted if you can. If anyone really needs anything you can call me too
1-785-356-2053
Laurie

[Jan V]

The first hurricane I went through was Carla, and I was so young I can't really remember the storm itself, but I do remember my parent's fear at that time. We've "hunkered down" through several hurricanes over the years, when I lived in Houson, and never suffered more than some blown out windows, a little water damage, and some short term power-outage. I don't know if it's all the media hype or if I've gotten wiser as I've gotten older, or what, but they worry me so much more now than they used to. I think it's going to be a very long night!!

Jan V

[catherine]

Well, it's 8 pm and we're just starting to feel a few of ole' Ike's love puffs. It's not even raining, but we're getting some breezes strong enough to bend the big pines a bit...like a really gusty day at the sea shore, so far. It's right on sunset, and I can still see bits of blue sky, with hot pink bands of clouds, and a grey bank in the distance, heading our way. Galveston is starting to look like a hurricane is coming ashore, with waves coming up over the seawall, water in the streets, but not much rain to speak of, either. I hear 150,000 homes are already out of power and the storm isn't ashore yet. Woops, the lights just flickered. It's hot, humid and without power, it's going to be stiffling inside closed up houses. We're expecting things to start getting a bit crazier in the next couple of hours. Yep, it's gonna be a long night, for sure. Last I heard, we should see the eye of the storm come up between Liz, Dana, Melissa and me sometime just before or after dawn, so keep us particularly in your prayers around then? Thanks guys.

[Liz]

It was the most beautiful sunset tonight! Every color in the sky with puffy purple clouds whizzing by.

We have a lot of wind here, gusts around 30mph with a baseline around 25mph. Not much for those of you on the prairie used to it!

Our oaks are bending, and the animals are all acting weird (needy).

I would estimate the power outage for us is going to be in about 3 hours. The weather guys say we will have 90mph winds just ahead of the eye. (ei-ei-ei!)

Thankfully dh does not have to go in at 11:00 tomorrow, they have agreed to let employees come in after they check the facilities. sheesh.

You guys all take care, you are in our thoughts Melissa, Dana, Catherine, Jan and Angie.

[tassie]

I'm sending protective energy to all of you, I have been through cyclones (southern hemispere hurricanes but never with livestock to worry about so I can only imagine your stress levels.

I would say be careful but I know you are all intelligent and brave and will do the best thing in a crisis.

Wow, you've got a night ahead of you,

Hugs,
trina

[suzorse]

my thoughts and prayers are with all of you in Ikes path
Suzanne

[Midgimoo]

I'd just like to let you Texas folk know that I'm thinking of you all and your animals. What a worry for you!!! I'm staying up to see what our late news has to report. Take care all.

[Tammy]

Has anyone heard any news today from our KFC family in Texas facing Ike? I am so nervous for them!

Tammy

[BissyAndBessie]

Any news?
Praying here!
Has anyone heard anything at all?

[Janene]

No, but they are getting hit pretty hard with more wind and rain right now this morning as the sun rises.
I'm sure it will be awhile before anyone makes any contact/communication--or are able to.
Janene

[Lesli]

Well, we are all ok, not a drop of rain here yet. Some wind, pretty insignificant, I am sure that it just has not really gotten here yet. DH and ds just went to get a haircut, so far just a regular Saturday. Waiting on pins and needles to hear from Liz and the others.

[Jan V]

Lesli, glad to hear y'all are fine. No rain here yet, either, though they're predicting heavy rains today. We sure could use some! So far, I think everyone but Catherine is accounted for. I've posted how they fared during Ike on the hurricane update thread.

Jan V

[Joann]

I am hoping for news...

Lots of room here at Coburn Farm and in Maine in general in case anybody decides they would rather deal with snow and cold instead of hurricanes.

Love to all,

Joann

[Lesli]

Well, for us Ike was a dud, never a drop of rain. I guess it is much better than a huge loss but it is so hot (101 heat index) and the wind has just dried everything out severely. We really could have used 6 inches of rain ourselves, but as it is I think Houston only got 6 inches, little compensation for all the mess, destruction and terror.

Lesli

[Jenn]

At 2 AM this morning, Ike was covering the entire state of MO. We got about 5-6 inches and lost internet service for a while as the phone lines were tied up until about 3 PM. I don't think there's any flooding in my immediate area.
-Jenn

[Tammy]

Just talked to my family in MO and they have been without power since last night due to the storm.

Tammy

[Jenn]

What part of MO are they in?
-Jenn

[BasleeBackwoodsFarm]

We had over 5 inches of rain also here in Central MO. I'm pretty much due north of Springfield about 100 miles.