A brief summary which brings me upto the hurricane aftermath.

Flew into Houston, Texas on Thursday. Predicting the hurricane would make direct landfall in Galvaston we drove down to Galvaston Island. On the way we called in at Freeport (about 50 miles south west of Galvaston) and was amazed how strong the winds ahead of the hurricane were already (and rising waters). Lots of houses on stilts and some people refused to evacuate. This was amazingly 36 hours before hurricane landfall. The power of the storm was being felt very early! We then attempted to drive along the peninsular road direct to Galvaston but this was already flooded and impassable. We drove back inland and found another way through.

We camped at a hotel (San Luis - highest on island) and all the TV stations and press were here and waited for the hurricane to make landfall. Watched and captured the build up and the eye came right over us in the early hours (2am). Winds were incredible our weather equipment recorded the data. Hotels all around us were falling apart, debris was flying through the air. It was incredible. We parked our car in a concrete multi storey car park which got flooded and we were stranded here all night. Had no sleep and watched the hurricane intensity ALL night. When the eye pased over us (we were smack bang in the middle of it and have a radar /gps shot to prove it) It was amazing. The winds dropped and it went very warm, mosquitos all came out and everyone came out from the hotel and everywhere to experience the eye. Surreal madness. This lasted 1.5 hrs and then the second half of the storm ripped in. The wind flow reversed and increased to more intense speed.  This lasted until daybreak.

When we went outside after it had eventually passed it was a mess. Debris, damage everywhere. Roads impassable, some of which were ripped apart by the 120mph winds and tarmac ripped off. We drove around capturing the debris. Buildings had disappeared, road flooded, residents walking around in shock begging us for water, cigarettes etc. Very distresing. We contd this all day. Saw house fires only 100 yds from the sea with fire crews ironically having no water to deal with them and just watch them blaze away. Many low lying streets flooded, people wading all around. Boats sitting on roads, roads unpassable. Galvaston island was stranded and cut off.

We managed to drive out  at end of day and saw why the only road into Galvaston Island was closed. It was blocked with over 100 boats/yachts and debris. Bulldozers were clearing a way through as we passed.

We eventually got back to Houston Sat night and power out everywhere. Local Tv/radio reporting 5 million Texas residents without power. Downtown Houston is now on curfew all week.

Lots more images in gallery.

Mark