We're here & please Pray...

The kids and I arrived here in Jackson, MS just a little before 5pm. This time I took the interstate route the whole way and traffic wasn't so bad. I am glad I left when I did though... I heard from other friends who left later this morning between 10am and 11 that traffic was horrible and at a stand still for them.

When I came up 2 weeks ago it took me over 9 hours and late at night. Today, I made it in around 7 hours.... although I was sleepy. being a car does that to me - but thankfully I had plenty of people to call and talk to - even my HGTV quilt friend LisaTX. :) Who evacuated with her daughters to Oklahoma today.

Now for the "Please Pray" part....

It's 10pm now and just briefly spoke with David on the phone - he was driving out to his plant... and in the most recent meeting.. they got a bad forecast for our area and especially bad for Port Arthur.... for Pt. Arthur they are expecting 20+ foot storm surges! and their sea wall is only 14 feet. We're talking Major flooding for their area. (the area in red in the photo)

I just pray that all of that town LEFT and GOT OUT... b/c this storm is projected to hit in the night... and I can't imagine not having anywhere to go with water rising at those projected levels. Pray, please pray that everyone left!

David's inside information is pretty top secret so I'm always careful as to what I share... but this was taken from http://www.weather.com/ so I guess it is safe to share b/c it is public info now. Click on the link for the full article I just cut and pasted some of it.

A Potential Life-Threatening Surge from Ike
Massive Hurricane Ike is capable of producing a life-threatening surge along the immediate upper Texas coast.

A strike in this portion of the Texas coast will provide dangerous, perhaps life-threatening impacts.

...The most severe conditions will impact areas just to the north and east of where the center makes landfall; the right front quadrant of Ike's circulation. Water level rise will be life-threatening in some coastal Texas counties especially Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston, and Jefferson County. Folks of Cameron County, Louisiana, should also beware of the potentially destructive water level rise along the coast. Because of Ike's very large size, the water level rise produced by Ike will be larger than an average-size Category 2 hurricane.

...The NHC warns of a significant and very dangerous storm surge of up to 20 feet could occur near and to the east of where Ike's center of circulation makes landfall. A surge of 25 feet could occur at the heads of the bays.

...Along with the surge comes powerful, damaging winds. Hurricane-force winds extend 115 miles from the center while tropical storm-force winds extend and astounding 275 miles from the center.

...Because of this massive size, it is very important to emphasize that tropical storm and hurricane conditions will be felt well before Ike's center of circulation makes landfall. Conditions will deteriorate along the Texas coast well before that point.

...Residents and tourists along coastal Texas should focus all attention to the latest forecasts and follow instruction from local authorities especially in regards to evacuations. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion by tonight.

...After Ike makes landfall early Saturday, life threatening flooding rains and potentially damaging winds will spread inland across Texas, perhaps as far north as northern Texas into Sunday.

I'll try and post again tomorrow if I find out anything else.... and pray for my husband as he and so many other's set up their shelter at one of the Elementary Schools. I know he is surrounded with good people... police, firemen, medical... all under one roof.... I know God will protect them.

Love from Mississippi! ~bonnie