A GIANT GHOST TOWN
Posted: Friday, September 23 at 02:04 pm CT by Bob Sullivan
A man walks a dog on a deserted downtown Houston street at what would normally be rush hour. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
HOUSTON -- Everyone, it seems, is gone. America's fourth-largest city appears to be the world's largest ghost town. We walk near City Hall and find almost no one.
At noon, the wind is already whistling through empty streets, an eerie noise, often the only noise that breaks the silence. It's a strong enough breeze to make you hold your hat, and gets stronger minute by minute, like a train approaching from a distance. How loud will it get?
Street signs are already flipped on their sides. Newspaper coin boxes are tipped over, lying on their backs like dead bodies -- to prevent them from being flopped later by the storm. Even before Rita hits, Houston looks like a city that has been hit by a storm.
A thin line of sandbags protects every bank and business office doorway, a token attempt to protect against light flooding. If Rita decides to hover around Houston for a while, they'll be useless.
We keep walking, and we find a few homeless stragglers wandering the streets. One sleeps silently outside City Hall. Another tells of his secret stash of food, hidden somewhere in the city in case shelters have nothing to offer in the next 36 hours.
Duke Judas, 47, sits alone on top of a garbage can -- he's half-watching news broadcasts on a big-screen TV that's still running in a bank window. He tells us he doesn't know where he plans to spend the night.
Houston, however, is not completely empty. Hidden in the ghost town are teeming mini-cities, like the hotel we're in, The Magnolia. It's just a few blocks from City Hall, right downtown.
It's a menagerie here; this is a high-class hotel with brass fixtures and big conference rooms, but today, it's the world's nicest dog pound. Elevators are crammed with pets sniffing each other,licking new friends, and tangling each other's leashes.
The hotel is well prepared -- in part because it's full of New Orleans evacuees. An entire group of JP Morgan employees who left New Orleans is now working in Houston, with the company footing the hotel bill, we're told.
There's a mandatory meeting for all guests in the hotel's ballroom this afternoon, which is where we'll be ordered to as soon as the storm strikes.
Outside, as the wind picks up, there's even some nervous levity. Colby Bissitt, from East Houston, tries his hand at hurricane graffitti. On windows covered with plywood, he's painting messages to the storm.
"Camp Rita," it says. And, "We love Margaritas."
Colby Bissitt, 20, of Houston paints Rita graphiti on the boarded up windows of a downtown Houston hotel. Bissitt is going to ride out the storm at home. "It's gonna be the storm of the century, man. I can't miss that." (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
CHASED BY HURRICANES
TRACKBACKS
Bob, God Bless You & Stay safe!
Kim Deitchler, Richland, WA (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:15:16 PM)
I have family that live in Bacliff TX, near Galveston. They made an attempt to evacuate, but after spending two days stuck in traffic they had only gotten as far as Beaumont. With the knowledge of that area possibly getting the worst of it, they attempted to detour off the highway looking for alternate routes out. They were told by police officers that they were to only take this highway out of TX, it was all set up by what address shows up on their Drivers Lisense. Afraid of being on the side of the road when Rita hits Beaumont, and being told they were not allowed to use any other highway, they were told their only other option was to turn around and go back the way they had come. So, they have returned to their home on Galveston Bay, saying they feel safer inside their home, than on the side of the road. I had originally thought we were more prepared for Rita than for Katrina, now I know that is not so.
Danielle, Indianapolis, Indiana (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:23:50 PM)
This article was great. I had to pass it on to a co-worker as we are watching some of the video footage at work today as Rita comes closer and closer. I just wanted to say that I enjoyed reading this and these two journalists are very brave to be staying in that hotel. I hope that they make it out alright. God bless everyone down there.
Michelle, Belleville, MI (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:26:51 PM)
Interesting scenario of the blowing signs, etc. Soon enough it will be real, I suppose. But as I am watching downtown Houston live on tv thi svery moment, there is hardly a breeze.
Dee Kreiner (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:36:31 PM)
When considering evacuation from the target areas, has anyone look at the possiblity of using the railway system. We are seeing hugh traffic problems on the highways but what about the railroads. A ten car train can hold a substanial amount of people without the traffic snarls.
Cecil Moniquette, New York, NY (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:39:53 PM)
This is a time to open our hearts and homes to people from southeast Texas, My home is open right now to thirteen people from The Golden triangle. I would take more if I could.I hope other people will o the same.Thanks Billy K.
Billy King Plano Texas (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:40:05 PM)
This was a good blog and it was full of information. It sad to hear hat there are still people left because what will the do. They should go stay in the Mongolia. This was very good formation to learn.
Kasey Phoenix, Arizona (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:50:10 PM)
ok Bob and Andy - here we go. Please be safe and most of us blog followers agree that no news story is worth paying for with your life. Prayers for your safety. Thanks for including the bit about having pets there with you. For those of us following the plight of the animals it's nice to hear they are some allowed in with you at the hotel. God Bless.
Anne in Wyoming (Sent Sep 23, 2005 2:53:17 PM)
I don't understand evacuations. I live in the Tampa Bay area, so I'm not a stranger to the evacuations.
What do people do that live in the Islands, like Puerto Rico, Cuba, Bahamas,etc.
There are no roads taking them from these Islands to say the United States.
Have they built more practical structures?
Do they have a better knowledge of survival?
After seeing the chaos in the news, on the highways,
how can we say this is more effective?
Jean Carlson, Safety Harbor, Fl. (Sent Sep 23, 2005 3:03:45 PM)
The pendulum swung over to the far right on this storm.
Days before a realistic predicition of the storms landing, govt. officals created wide spread panick and traffic jams. Now feds are coming in with ~10K gallons of gas to help get cars that ran out of gas in 14 hour traffic ties off the roads (looks bad). What we observe here is that FEMA has no formal plans for an orderly evacuation for any city. What we see here is a failure of a state and feferal orginization that is managed by such unqualified people that a state of comlete failure could be considered a success.
John H.Tanner
John H. Tanner, Fairfax, Virginia (Sent Sep 23, 2005 3:03:46 PM)
Living in the midwest where we occasionally get tornadoes that pass through rather quickly (and can do a great deal of damage when they do), it is hard to imagine what it would be like to be battered for hours and/or days with very strong winds and large amounts of rain. Our prayers are with everyone in the path of this storm!
Kay Mitchell (Sent Sep 23, 2005 3:03:51 PM)
I understand that people love their house and that there is a ton of traffic to get out, but staying where a catagory 4 hurricane is coming, is the craziest idea I've ever heard. If the hurricane is coming to where you live what's the point of staying?
Melissa Smith (Sent Sep 23, 2005 3:04:55 PM)
I suggest that all of the Margarita lovers head for Mexico for a better Margarita and less Rita!
Terry Dusseau, Midland, Michigan (Sent Sep 23, 2005 3:20:39 PM)
Excellent job describing the surroundings, the people still there, & the animals. As for evacuations, I don't think it's possible to evacuate that many people. Too big a job to do it right. As for our faithful reporters, hang on tight & be well!
Sheri Bowlus, Martinez, Calif. (Sent Sep 23, 2005 3:44:29 PM)
god bless all of you, I hope for the best, and may good things come out of all of what is happening to all of us due to the hurricanes.
jacqui hill (Sent Sep 23, 2005 3:51:03 PM)
I'm totally sick of some people so ready to point a finger at those who are trying so hard to see to the safety of others. Fairfax, VA let's see your plan to do something better. How, would you move 2 million people out of the Gulf area?
C.A.Wilson (Sent Sep 23, 2005 4:13:56 PM)
Evacuees of Katrina and Rita take note. Were tired in the rest of the country hearing how we need to help YOU and your family. I have compassion for those who have lost everything as I have been there before. But enough is enough GET UP OFF YOUR DEAD ASS AND GET OUT THERE AND DO IT YOURSELF. QUIT SITTING IN SHELTERS COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT YOU DON'T HAVE. IF YOU WENT OUT AND FOUND WORK WHERE YOU WERE YOU'D BE WAY AHEAD OF THE ONE JUST SITTING AND YOU MIGHT JUST START FEELING BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. SO AGAIN GET OFF YOUR BUTT AND GET TO LIVING LIFE. If you don't want to follow this idea than do the rest of the hard working people in the world a favor and lay there and die so we won't have to support you for the rest of eternity.
joe canita (Sent Sep 23, 2005 4:16:48 PM)
My brother Ernie and his wife Betty are in Missouri City and not leaving town. When I last talked to them today they were filling up their bathtubs with water. Their only daughter, Claire, and her family had to evacuate Lake Charles, LA. Both families in harms way - I love you all - May God keep you safe.
Auntie Lynne in Grand Prairie, TX (Sent Sep 23, 2005 4:19:14 PM)
My channel stays on the news coverage 24 hrs now and I can only imagine what the people are going thru. It's unblievable. I helped with the Katrina victims any way I could. And if I have to help this go around, I will. My heart and prayers go out to everyone. I know its hard but GOD doesn't put too much on us that we can not handle. Love you and may GOD bless you.
K. Muldrew Texarkana AR (Sent Sep 23, 2005 4:21:57 PM)
My heart and prayers are with everyone that couldn't get out. I can't imagine what you ALL are going through. I think that it is very interesting that the storm is moving ever so slightly towards LA. I hate that they are getting "hit" again, but think of it realistically... everyone is ALREADY GONE THERE. Thank GOD that Rita is moving that direction and not going to completely devastate ANOTHER State too. I'm sorry for everyone directly or indirectly involved. I pray for your safety and that of my parents.
Patty W, Midlothian Texas (Sent Sep 23, 2005 4:49:42 PM)
Good Luck to all of you. You are in my prayers
Lorraine N. Tualatin,or (Sent Sep 23, 2005 5:03:15 PM)
To the person who wants evacuees to get off their butt: Could you do the same? how do you find work when you have only the clothes on your back? I was talking to a man who is here in memphis because of katrina. He and his wife lost everything they had worked for for 35 years. Get a heart-I will continue to give or volunteer as long as their are people in need. I am glad I am not your neighbor
e cortex (Sent Sep 23, 2005 5:07:39 PM)
JUST PRAY , GOD HEARS OUR PRAYER'S AND WILL KEEP THOSE SAFE THAT ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS .
IN GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, HE WILL BRING PEACE AND CALM OUT OF CAOS. MY SISTER IS IN HOUSTON AND I KNOW GOD IS WATCHING OVER THEM ALL.
Ronda (Sent Sep 23, 2005 5:11:25 PM)
NOONE SHOULD MOCK THESE POOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED THROUGH HELL ON EARTH. Once someone has been through hell on earth it takes a while sometimes to get back on your feet. So all of you please know there are people out here who will support you anyway we can for as long as we can and as long as you need!!!!!! I cry for all the creatures of this beautiful planet who suffer): And as I would hope some people would be decent enough to help me in my time of need I am here for all you in your time of need through my thoughts and concerns. I'm not religious but believe all things happen for a reason:) Take care to all of you and know we (people with good hearts and souls) care for you!
marilyn grisham (Sent Sep 23, 2005 5:17:23 PM)
Yes i just wanted to say i hope everyone is staying safe. My boyfriend the father of my unborn child is down there with his family. They got as far as Rosenberg. I came down to Dallas only 3 days before they had to evacuate.. I just hope it turns away cause i dont want anything happening to him.. Everyone stay safe please and keep praying...
Nickole , Keller Tx (Sent Sep 23, 2005 5:26:13 PM)
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