The aftermath.

and so Ike did hit Galveston and Houston, causing considerable damage.  Other nearby towns were also affected. Some lives were lost, mainly those who refused to evacuate in Galveston.    Millions were without electrical  power, including my family and relatives. I took us four days to get our electricity back but not so for many others.  Some had to wait close to a month to get their electric service restored.  A consequence of devastation, stores and businesses were closed down while cities began reconstruction. Thousands of trucks for other electric companies in the USA and some from Canada came to work 24 hours a day to bring us back electricity.  In the mean time, food was scarce, water was undrinkable and government help was slow.  Our family, thankfully,  had minimal property damage, save a tree that fell, tree debris and back fence downed.  All in all, it was quite an experience.  It was a scary experience to live through a hurricane.  I will never forget the menacing howling of wind gusts. Briefly, I envisioned the tornado scene in The Wizard of Oz, where Dorothy's house is blown away.  It sure felt like that would happen to us!