BallFour4 Posted August 31, 2017 #1 Share Posted August 31, 2017 So you’re coming back to Galveston on a Carnival ship and have seen media reports of the doom and gloom. Your expectations are to find your car totaled, an island that is trashed and a cruise terminal that’s inoperable. Rest your mind, Galveston looks great. Tonight we drove from Houston, past Hobby Airport (which is open as of 4:00 pm and ramping up more flights tomorrow) to the island. Harborside Drive is dry from the freeway all the way to 19th street, shops were open on the Strand, there is no visible damage along Broadway, the terminal is intact, gangways are in place and there are no emergency repairs underway. All the city and private cruise parking lots were debris free and there were no signs of cars that had been flooded. The way to tell is the windshield looks fogged over. Many of the auto dealerships along I-45 had their inventory submerged, so those tell-tale signs are visible along the drive down. The hotels are open, restaurants are serving food and gas is plentiful. The Spot, Gaidos. Bennos, Nicks and a lot more are open. The only attraction we saw down was the Pleasure Pier. There were work crews there and all the structures looked fine from our beach walk. Appreciate the media found some wall material that fell from a 40 year old timeshare condo that was built shoddy from the start and a McDonalds sign that fell, so we had a "disaster" in Galveston. Mix in a few water drops on the webcam lenses and some thought we were the next Atlantis. That just isn’t the case. If your cruise hasn’t been cancelled at this point it looks like your in for a floating vacation. Come down early, spend some time enjoying Galveston. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purvis1231 Posted August 31, 2017 #2 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Thanks for the report- Galveston is one of our favorite places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted August 31, 2017 #3 Share Posted August 31, 2017 So you’re coming back to Galveston on a Carnival ship and have seen media reports of the doom and gloom. Your expectations are to find your car totaled, an island that is trashed and a cruise terminal that’s inoperable. Rest your mind, Galveston looks great. Tonight we drove from Houston, past Hobby Airport (which is open as of 4:00 pm and ramping up more flights tomorrow) to the island. Harborside Drive is dry from the freeway all the way to 19th street, shops were open on the Strand, there is no visible damage along Broadway, the terminal is intact, gangways are in place and there are no emergency repairs underway. All the city and private cruise parking lots were debris free and there were no signs of cars that had been flooded. The way to tell is the windshield looks fogged over. Many of the auto dealerships along I-45 had their inventory submerged, so those tell-tale signs are visible along the drive down. The hotels are open, restaurants are serving food and gas is plentiful. The Spot, Gaidos. Bennos, Nicks and a lot more are open. The only attraction we saw down was the Pleasure Pier. There were work crews there and all the structures looked fine from our beach walk. Appreciate the media found some wall material that fell from a 40 year old timeshare condo that was built shoddy from the start and a McDonalds sign that fell, so we had a "disaster" in Galveston. Mix in a few water drops on the webcam lenses and some thought we were the next Atlantis. That just isn’t the case. If your cruise hasn’t been cancelled at this point it looks like your in for a floating vacation. Come down early, spend some time enjoying Galveston. . Hobby said they will open Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerMT/TX Posted August 31, 2017 #4 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Very happy to hear this. So 45 was open the entire way from Hobby? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted August 31, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted August 31, 2017 (edited) Hobby said they will open Saturday. Both Houston airports opened for limited service this afternoon. SWA has a full schedule on Friday. I'm on two of them. http://www.khou.com/weather/harvey/hobby-bush-airport-to-reopen-today-at-4-pm/469309822 . Edited August 31, 2017 by BallFour4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted August 31, 2017 Author #6 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Very happy to hear this. So 45 was open the entire way from Hobby? Yes, and you cannot tell a storm hit us. Baybrook Mall, the big box stores and a few other retail outlets were closed, but the freeway was wide open and dry. We didn't see more than four or five cars left abandoned on the service roads. My wife said it was akin to driving on Christmas night. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted August 31, 2017 #7 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Thanks for the heads up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yerdsyerds Posted August 31, 2017 #8 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Ballfour4 - yes, thank you for the on the scene information. I will be traveling down next Friday evening to cruise on the 9/10 Breeze sailing and was wondering if you have any insight you might be willing to share. Specifically, is Uber/Lyft being impacted? Currently flying in late friday night, and staying right by IAH. Was planning on just getting Uber or Lyft down to Galveston saturday morning to Moody Gardens where we're staying Saturday night. Do you think that will be possible? Any news on hotel closures/overbookings? thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted August 31, 2017 #9 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Thanks for the report. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bUU Posted August 31, 2017 #10 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Rest your mind, Galveston looks great. Excellent news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted August 31, 2017 Author #11 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Ballfour4 - yes, thank you for the on the scene information. I will be traveling down next Friday evening to cruise on the 9/10 Breeze sailing and was wondering if you have any insight you might be willing to share. Specifically, is Uber/Lyft being impacted? Currently flying in late friday night, and staying right by IAH. Was planning on just getting Uber or Lyft down to Galveston saturday morning to Moody Gardens where we're staying Saturday night. Do you think that will be possible? Any news on hotel closures/overbookings? thanks! Call your hotel direct, same with Uber. The routes needed to get here are open on traffic maps. The south side of Houston has much to fix, but the freeways are wide open. Today things will improve in big leaps with the airports being closer to normal operations, and with that so goes transportation. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mleonardelli5 Posted August 31, 2017 #12 Share Posted August 31, 2017 That is wonderful to hear!! Thank you [emoji4] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bury me at sea Posted August 31, 2017 #13 Share Posted August 31, 2017 This is great news both for cruisers and the people who live or work in Galveston. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yerdsyerds Posted August 31, 2017 #14 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Call your hotel direct, same with Uber. The routes needed to get here are open on traffic maps. The south side of Houston has much to fix, but the freeways are wide open. Today things will improve in big leaps with the airports being closer to normal operations, and with that so goes transportation. . Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted August 31, 2017 Author #15 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Thanks again! You're welcome! If all else fails call me :) for a grilled shrimp dinner my wife and I will come get ya. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pistol-Pete Posted August 31, 2017 #16 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Hello, we will be driving down from DFW. What about filling our gas tank? On the way down? Once we get to Galveston? Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeJennyCruise Posted August 31, 2017 #17 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Hello, we will be driving down from DFW. What about filling our gas tank? On the way down? Once we get to Galveston? Sent from my iPad using Forums To be safe, I would fill up in Huntsville and then you can top again in Galveston. We have stations open inn the area but supply lines are disrupted. Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted August 31, 2017 Author #18 Share Posted August 31, 2017 Hello, we will be driving down from DFW. What about filling our gas tank? On the way down? Once we get to Galveston? Gas is plentiful at most every exit. Fuel on the island was a little higher priced. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evandbob Posted August 31, 2017 #19 Share Posted August 31, 2017 It's wonderful to get first hand reports like the OP's, thanks Ballfour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted September 1, 2017 Author #20 Share Posted September 1, 2017 It's wonderful to get first hand reports like the OP's, thanks Ballfour. Welcome. It's amazing to see the efforts to help people here. What makes this different is the power is on for most of the areas hit. This was rain and flooding, not high wind and storm surge in Houston. Gas shortages are spotty, grocery stores don't have all the selections back and help us all, the double-dip, chocolate chip, no-fat latte might not be an option for some. Come see us. We're open for business in Texas. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted September 1, 2017 #21 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Welcome. It's amazing to see the efforts to help people here. What makes this different is the power is on for most of the areas hit. This was rain and flooding, not high wind and storm surge in Houston. Gas shortages are spotty, grocery stores don't have all the selections back and help us all, the double-dip, chocolate chip, no-fat latte might not be an option for some. Come see us. We're open for business in Texas. . Where is the like button when you want to use it???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicchic325 Posted September 1, 2017 #22 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Ballfour4 - yes, thank you for the on the scene information. I will be traveling down next Friday evening to cruise on the 9/10 Breeze sailing and was wondering if you have any insight you might be willing to share. Specifically, is Uber/Lyft being impacted? Currently flying in late friday night, and staying right by IAH. Was planning on just getting Uber or Lyft down to Galveston saturday morning to Moody Gardens where we're staying Saturday night. Do you think that will be possible? Any news on hotel closures/overbookings? thanks! Uber is up and running again. Personal thought: some drivers may have been impacted and this may cause delays or longer wait times. But this is just an consideration. I'd call your hotel directly, the roads in and out of IAH flooded. Just to make sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winddawn Posted September 1, 2017 #23 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Glad to hear things are getting back to normal. I can remember just a couple days ago I was watching the webcam on the Strand and the shops along there had water in them. I know they must be glad to be drying out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winddawn Posted September 1, 2017 #24 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Houston's mayor is also stating that most of the floodwater has cleared after doing an aerial inspection. It's amazing how quickly the water is receding. That is such good news. http://abcnews.go.com/US/houston-begins-assess-hurricane-harveys-trail-devastation/story?id=49536088 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yerdsyerds Posted September 1, 2017 #25 Share Posted September 1, 2017 Uber is up and running again. Personal thought: some drivers may have been impacted and this may cause delays or longer wait times. But this is just an consideration. I'd call your hotel directly, the roads in and out of IAH flooded. Just to make sure. thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely be calling the hotels, I just wanted to give them a few days to allow things to calm down before I do. I booked the Galveston Express Shuttle from IAH to Galveston for saturday, as plan "a" and if they cancel/no show then I'll shoot for Uber/Lyft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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