Everything that can be picked up has been taken in and out of harm’s way. Wind is beginning to kick up.

This is the official evacuation map of the Houston area. We live just south of I-10 on the west side of Houston. Our home is just west of Beltway-8 on this map. You’ll notice we’re north and west of the evacuation area. The mayor and governor have both said there’s no need to evacuate unless we’re in the designated low areas likely to flood. With a storm surge of 9-25 feet, a wall of water could be driven inland up to a mile. We’re at least 45 miles from any of that–over 60 from the highest risk area.

Channels 11 and 2 have gone wall-to-wall, telling and retelling the same information all night. I drifted off to sleep only to awaken at 2:13 and hear the storm keeps slipping eastward slightly. Another 50 miles and we will be largely spared, they say. Fifty miles. Monday night this storm was plotted for the valley; deep southern Texas. To call this a fluid situation may sound like a pun, but weather forecasting science is taking a backseat to the art of storytelling.

Got our water. Got our food. Got our batteries. Most of all, we got our nerve. Ike will be here in less than 24 hours and we are ready. The only thing we still need are your prayers. Keep checking in here for updates. I will keep them coming for as long as we have service. In the meantime, it’s time for wine.