Friday, September 12, 2008

Hurricanes and Gas Prices

This is a multi-pronged question.

There is something inherently unfair about us being in a severe drought, and yet the remains of Hurricane Ike are going to pass over those of you in Illinois who have had plenty of rain! (Other than about 2 inches from the remains of Faye, all these hurricanes have not affected us at all - not even Hanna, which just nicked the northern edge of the SC coast.)

--Have any of you ever been in a hurricane? Experienced the results of one?
--This has been started a little in some of the comments on the last post, but how are the hurricane-driven gas prices affecting you?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I heard that gas was $5 in Springfield and Champaign last night, and coming our way. Kelsie drove my car last night, so I asked to fill 'er up, as I had noticed gas was $4 when I came home from work when I had 1/2 a tank. I gave her my debit card, and assume she did fill the tank. However, she left at 6:30 and came home at midnight, so I'm sure I'm back where I started at closer to 1/2 a tank...

Ada said...

I started, late last night, circling our yard with sand bags---the local CNN storm center located at the Gridley Community Building is reportig that the "surge" is due to hit Gridley at about 2:00pm Sunday. I got a brief look at Wolf Blitzer as he ran into the storm headquarters. Bob Downen, Local SWAT team leader was guarding the BP Service station because there have been reports of gas gouging--gas is now $3.599 !!!

There are reports that Gov B has ordered Illinois National Guard to circle the village....and local World Relief Rep. Roger Stoller has notified area churches to send supplies......

Oh My---that's what happens when you watch too much CNN and FOX !!! (Jerry)

Ada said...

Add to the above post---I forgot two very important things---I even saw Wava Kaup "running" the toAmbulance and Casy's piok up at the Fire Station. When I went by, Wade was out in the street with his radio--I said, "Hey, What's up?" and he told me, "Get home quick a 'Sue me mamma' is coming tomorrow!!!" (Jerry)

Ann said...

Ha ha - very funny!

Gas here is between $4 and $5. I sent Mary Lee with my credit card yesterday when she got out of school to fill up the Honda. I asked her later how much it was - she said "$30.00." I asked her how much per gallon and she said she didn't check that! So who knows how much I paid.

We've had a number of hurricane remains over the years. We do best when it's one that comes over the gulf and then passes this way.

Hurricane Hugo in 1989 devastated the lower third of the state. I had sister in laws whose homes were damaged. It was supposed to come directly toward us, but once inland about 100 miles took a northerly turn - and instead got Charlotte, where Mike was on training for his new job at the time. He called and I could hear trees snapping in the background like toothpicks.

Ada said...

Add--to two posts above---I just ledt town and the price now is $3.999--I asked Bob Downon why he lket it happen and he said :Sheriff Andy will not let me have any bullits for my gun"

Life goes on in Mayberry !! (Jerry)

Anonymous said...

I went through Hurricane Hugo too - the eye of it, while living in Antigua. My favorite memory: on Sunday afternoon, in the middle of the hurricane, my phone rang. I was shocked that someone was able to get through! I picked it up and couldn't hear anyone. I said, "I can't hear you but if you can hear me, we're okay." I repeated that several times and finally hung up since I couldn't hear anyone. Shortly thereafter the phone went dead. Later I learned that it was Ann calling to check on me - she heard my reassurance and was able to pass the news along to others.

We were without city water for 2 weeks, electricity a month and telephone for several months. I have a picture of my washing clothes in a big tub in the front yard with water from the cistern; I used a (new) plunger as the agitator!

Anonymous said...

Gas jumped in Peoria last evening from 3.79 to 4.29.
Kathleen and I went to Hawaii in 1982 on our 10th anniversary. Within 3 days, Hawaii suffered its first hurricane in 23 years -- Hurricane Ewi. We heard the warnings but ignored them, thinking it was only scare tactics (as windows were being boarded up).
Soon, in our rented car, we saw a motorcyle in front of us get blown over. We then hunkered down in our
3rd floor well-built motel. I had a transistor radio in my suitcase so got it and we huddled in the lobby with all the other guests, listening to the one remaining radio station that was able to stay on the air.
Afterward, it rained for 4 days. So that's the memories of our 10th anniversary.
Cleve & Kathleen

Perry said...

Herewith is the GIG Report:

(Gas in Gridley)

This evening the price is $3.99, although on Sat. it was $ 4.16 at one point.

Herewith is the RIG Report:

(Rainfall in Gridley)

We had 6 inches in 12 hours.

So now you have the GIG and RIG Reports!

Perry

Ann said...

Re the RIG report: We haven't had six inches of rain in months! And you got it in one day! The fields must be standing in water.

Anonymous said...

We just survived Hurricane Ike here in the Houston area. The eye passed over us about 3am Saturday morning. We took a direct hit and it hit us very hard. We have no power, no phones, no internet, no cell phones at our home. Power is expected to be out in our area for the next 2-3 weeks. I am at work using the server to get on-line to see what's happening in the rest of the world.

Houston looks like a war zone. We live north of downtown in The Woodlands. Trees are down everywhere. We had to cut our way through a very large tree to get to the garage. We couldn't get out of our neighborhood until Sunday afternoon.

I would love to be able to pay $5 for gas, but there is none. Most of the Houston area, including us, are without power. The few gas stations and grocery stores that are open have lines of people waiting 3-4 hours. I have enough gas to make it in to work today, but not tomorrow.

The devestation is some areas is total. This is our first hurricane. It was much more than I expected. TV does not do it justice.

Benji and Dean are out of school until next Monday at the earliest, and that's only if power is restored in our area. They are enjoying the time off and have been great helpers in clearing the debris from our yard. Thankfully our home was not damaged.

We are blessed with cooler weather - low 60's, high 80's - otherwise it would be unbearable.

Please keep us in your prayers. We are okay and life is good!

Jamie, Joe, Dean and Benji

Anonymous said...

Jamie, I was wondering whether you were in the hurricane--looked up your address, which is Spring, TX. Thought I'd look its location up on the atlas--but didn't because probably Spring, TX was not near Houston. How wrong I was. Thank you for writing about your experience through such a trauma. Let us hear more as things improve. Will definitely pray for all of you. Love from
Uncle Lynn and Aunt Mim