9/13/8

Talked to Dad off & on all night long.
He had to stay in Houston for work, and he was the "Hunker Down Leader". I'm sure there's a more official title for it, but that's what I called him.
So...I was mistaken when I told others that the hotel had been evacuated. I THOUGHT that's what he said. No, what he said was that they issued notices of evacuation. Apparently about 75 guests failed to make other arrangements, and were going to stay in the hotel to wait out the storm. So, Dad was responsible for them, his employees (not a lot of employees....only a handfull of employees...) and then Dad said about 75 firemen from Phoenix were staying there to be readay to head out & help.
So, I talked to him around 11pm. We got disconnected, and when we spoke again a few minutes later, he said that the wind had blown a door open. At that time they were evacuating everyone down to the "concourse" level where they had accommodations set up in an interior ball room/meeting room with no windows. The concourse level (if I am remembering correctly) is one basement level below ground.
So, I spoke with Dad again around 4:20. He said that they were in the thick of the storm, but still had power. He said that ALL of the guests were asleep in the ball room, and that everything was going well.
Talked to him again around 7am. They never lost power. He said that in looking around at the other buildings, the other buildings all lost power, one building's roof was missing, and lots of blown out glass/windows. He's one of the directors for a 19 story hotel, so they had to individually check all of the rooms on all the floors for wind damage. That was to begin after we hung up at 7. I can't even imagine how long THAT will take! At 7 when we spoke, there was no notable damage that Dad had seen---but they hadn't really been above the 1st floor.
So, the good news is that he's safe, and everyone under his charge is safe!

Now, up here in Dallas, we have to prepare for the winds. It's been rainy, and kind of windy...not too bad so far.
:)

AAAANNNDDDD: Last but not least....

Happy Birthday to my sister!
Tiff, I know that your birthday was yesterday, but I was sooooooooooo busy, start to finish. I didn't get into bed until about 11.
Today, Happy Birthday to Susie Martin! I can't remember if I ever gave her my blog address or not...so, if she reads it---well, kudos to me for remembering!
Tomorrow: Happy Birthday to my mother in law! (who does not read my blog...) but, Happy Birthday to her any way!