Anyone know when those of us who fled can return? I'd like to return to Galveston to check out my place. Are the stopping all comers, or just asking us to not come?

Official message from the mayor; 100% closed until further notice. It will probably be several weeks.

At this point, anyone returning is just in the way another mouth to feed and person to take care of.

Just said the causeway will probably be closed up to a month. Infrastructure of the island is severly damaged and needs to be repaired.

Gov, just said they are evacuation people on the Island to San Antonio!

I wouldn't expect to get back in for weeks.

[This message has been edited by Agnzona (edited 9/14/2008 3:37p).]

Just reported 11th st to San louis still under water and at least 30 homes on the west end gone.
Also just reported Island inhabital for at least a month.

[This message has been edited by Agnzona (edited 9/14/2008 3:38p).]

Do you know anyone with a boat? Not being sarcastic at all...I think if my house was there, I'd be looking for someone to boat me over there, with a mountain bike and a backpack with provisions.

[This message has been edited by Tailgate88 (edited 9/15/2008 9:35a).]

A friend tried to sneak in yesterday with a convoy. He tried to ignore the police sirens and then the police car tried to push his truck into the concrete barrier. Finally got pulled over and was lucky not to be arrested.

So yeah, they really do mean no one is getting onto the island at this point. I have friends who are going to continue to try each day, so if they get in, I will let you know.

We're all anxious to get back and check our homes.

The boat discussion has definitely been considered. Right now the concern is all the debris in the water. And the fact that they have threatened to arrest anyone who sneaks onto the island. But we just can't wait a month to get back and check our homes.

Wait until they declare it safe. The last thing they need is thousands of residents in the middle of a search and rescue operation while the island does not have power, communications, water, etc...

You know- this is just a thought, but couldn't Google send a crew to fly over the island and take pictures as an inlay over maps.google? That way people concerned about their homes can get online fom wherever they evacuated to and at least get an overhead view of their homes and the devastation. I know it would not be anywhere near actually being there to survey the damage but it would be a start, right?

How about this idea?



Note: Sorry, I'm not being disrespectful. My thoughts are with anyone affected by the hurricane. But sometimes in a bad situation, a smile is a good thing.

quote:

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You know- this is just a thought, but couldn't Google send a crew to fly over the island and take pictures as an inlay over maps.google?

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NOAA shots from yesterday:
http://ngs.woc.noaa.gov/ike/IMAGES/ike_c25882325.htm

Find the portion of the island to the right, zoom in.

Thanks Arnold. That at least tells me that there is no noticable roof damage to my family's homes.

Yep, our roof looks good too. It's still there anyway.

Awesome, my apartment is just barely in the western most shot... thank man!

I wonder if a helicopter flyover is feasable.

a couple of people could chip in and I don't think it would be that expensive.

GALVESTON ¡ª City officials said Tuesday morning that they will permit what's called a "look and leave" visit today by island residents.

Citizens with a valid Galveston island ID will be permitted onto the island from noon to 6 p.m. today. At 6 p.m., the mandatory evacuation order and curfew will go back into full effect. City police will be enforcing the curfew.

"This is being done just for folks who are concerned about their property," an official said. "The island still is unlivable, and people should not be coming back to stay. This just being done to help alleviate the anxiety of some of our folks who really want to know what's going on."

There still is no official word when the evacuation will be lifted, and the island still is without power, running water, food, medical care and the other essentials of life.