Ike was worse, way worse.

I promise this will be the last post about hurricanes.

   Katrina's damage to New Orleans was from flooding.  The water rose swiftly for sure, but the lateral forces were minimal - houses just became submerged in sea water.   Few homes showed any damage other than that occurring from being soaked to the roof.

The eye passed of Hurricane Ike passed over Galveston Texas on Sept 13, 2008.     True of all hurricanes, the worst damage occurs on the right side (looking down) of the eye.  This is where the counter clockwise rotation drives on shore winds and storm surge the highest.   On this "bad side" of the eye was the Bolivar peninsula  northwest of Galveston.  Here a storm surge of 27 feet swept homes right off the foundations.

 In Crystal Beach, where we stayed last night, damage was cataclysmic.   The few homes that were not swept away were unrepairable.   Those living there today, live in either an RV on the site of their former home, or in a new home if they were fortunate enough to rebuild.   Shells of former businesses line the main road.   Few have reopened.    Deciduous trees are all dead from salt water saturation of the soil.

My first reaction to Crystal Beach is why would anyone stay?    But after talking to residents and observing thier lives and community I began to understand what  a resilliant and proud people they are.    This is their home, their community and all they know.

 Crystal Beach is the exact opposite of Destin, Florida.    No pretense, and few rules.  You can drive on the beach, wear camo drinking a beer at the Stingaree Tavern, and think about buying that beach front lot advertised for $39,000.  I'd rather be here than the Emerald Coast.

Aerial photo from Wikipedia.   Gas station and RV photos taken by me on 3/31/11.