First trip back to Kemah post-Ike--9/15/08

We were so incredibly fortunate. Only 3 inches of water due to the loss of sheet metal from the roof. Our new location has a Hurricane category 3 strength, so we weren't concerned about the structure. We were more concerned about the predicted storm surge of 20-22 feet. If that had occurred, I undoubtedly would not be posting this blog.

Instead, after seeing the unbelievable spirit of the communities of Kemah, Seabrook, Bacliff, San Leon, League City, and Galveston and the commitment to rebuild, I decided to start a blog. Here is the first entry of that blog.

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Monday, September 15, 2008. My husband and I made our way through debris, National Guard troops, police sentries as far as Clear Lake Park on NASA Parkway. At that poitn, we were turned away and told to take 270. There was "too much debris, boats, homes, refrigerators, and cars in the roads. It was impassable."

We turned around and headed east on NASA Parkway, noting the boat next to the Clear Lake Hilton, only this time it was docked on the side of the road instead of in the water. The Clear Lake Hilton had several gaping holes in the side, exposing insulation and carpet. It's going to be a long time until this area was back to normal.

Passing Space Center, we noticed the field where the deer always were was still under 3-4 feet of water. We wondered how far the surge got into NASA?

Keeping on, we passed Bal Harbour. There were already homeowners removing soggy carpet and pads. Those poor people had FEET of water in their homes.

We proceeded on and went 270 to 518. It looked almost untouched, save the roofs with missing shingles and of course all of the street lights were dangling and or gone. Attempting to turn on Lawrence Road, we were met with water across the road. A portable construction building was upside down in the middle of the road, a true testament to the power of the storm surge.

We turned around, went to 146, and turned left. We arrived in Kemah to see National Guard troops posted to keep non-citizens and non-business people out of the Kemah area. It was a daunting site to see the tents of the National Guard set up in the Target parking lot. Turning towards the boardwalk side of Kemah, we were immediately shocked and saddened. The Boardwalk was basically destroyed. The tower of the sky ride and the looming shadow of the roller coaster were still visible, but even the ferris wheel was missing parts. We couldn't believe how absolutely devastated the entire Boardwalk was.

T-bone Toms looked like they had several feet of water, as did the fire department, the community center, and all of the other businesses on the east side of 146. It's going to be a long, long time until and if the Boardwalk returns to its former glory.

Driving by the strip center surrounding Target, we noticed debris consisting of furniture, appliances, and even a hot tub in the center of an entrance. By the look of things, Kemah got it bad.

The water line on 146 was about 4 feet over Highway 146. Proceeding down 518, I noticed that the Wal-Mart parking lot had several feet of water and several still-flooded vehicles that looked like islands in the middle of the new lake. Following 518 west, we noticed thankfully that the storm surge appeared to end between Wal-Mart and NTB. Maybe my business was still intact!

Excited, we turned down Anders and noticed more debris, but this was different. It seemed to be more wind debris and not water debris. Pulling into the parking lot, I immediately noticed sheet metal twisted around light poles, ripped up and tossed in the parking lot like pieces of paper. The home across the street from me had significant damage. Their entire sheet metal building that served as a shop of sorts was destroyed. No metal left except for a few twisted pieces of steel.

Going into my business, I immediately smelled the mold and must. We had water. Thankfully it was the worst in the play area. That meant no carpet to tear, no sheetrock to remove. Just mucky, stinky water to get out.

After about 10-15 rounds of mopping with Chlorox, I called it a day. Tomorrow would be a good day to take all of the furniture down from cinder blocks and from the top of the kennels. It looked like we'd be okay. My thoughts immediately turned to my customers: How were they? How were their dogs? Were their houses still standing? Were they still in town?