I originally sent this out to all of my friends, but thought that some of you might find it interesting, as well. Check out the link to see pictures of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Kema and other towns.
The last "really bad" hurricane I went through was in 1970 when Hurricand Celia hit Corpus Christi. I will never forget the fear I felt or the awesome strength of the storm as it destroyed the home we lived in then. Over the years, I have been through several "lesser" storms which I rode out at various fire stations. None of them ever really made me afraid for myself, my family or my brother firefighters. Even as Ike was approaching and the initial forecast was for it to strike us "head-on", I wasn't worried about the effects of the storm on me or my family. Of course, Katrina was a major disaster, but I live so far removed from New Orleans and I wasn't involved in the aftermath, that it really didn't bring back the memories of Celia.
Now, having seen the absolute destruction rendered by Ike, so close to home, I have a new respect for hurricanes and all major types of weather. I have always, and am still, fascinated with weather and the force of Mother Nature, but with a new respect for the strength of the storms.
It is easy to look at pictures of places far away and say, "I'm sorry for them.", without really feeling the total horror of what happened.
Never again will I doubt Mother Nature's fury or allow my family to remain in the path of a forecasted storm.
I hope this link will impress you as it did me.
God bless you all and keep you safe.

http://www.tpicks.com/pictures%20people%20have%20sent%20me.html