h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It was Houston's turn to be assaulted by wind and rain.

Not its ours. t's 11:09 a.m., and the rain has suddenly started pounding here. It was preceded by distant rumbles of thunder, which got louder and closer.

For Hurricane Harvey I wait.
The risk of flash flooding is great,
The thunderstorm's near,
But I don't have much fear.
The forecasters' record's not great.

Actually, I do the forecasters a disservice. The main entertainment was supposed to start at 11:00 on the dot, and this is very close. We were supposed to get a "trace" of rain, but scattered storms were very much part of the scenario.

It was my turn to water the local gardens yesterday and today. This storm will do that work for me, more than I ever could have done. The downside? If the raindrops are too big, some leaves and flowers could get bashed. Then again, most flowers are well past their peak. Many are seedheads. The mums are low to the ground and sturdy, so little damage is likely. The asters have formed buds, but none have opened yet. The stalks are tall and fairly resilient. They've stood up to some heavy showers all season.

It's only taken nine minutes for the storm to deposit four gallons of water in my rain barrel. I must say that I'm impressed. The rain has tapered off a bit.

I hear more thunder now, and it's bit closer.

It's noon now, and the rain has moved away, letting the sun shine.

Time to start preparing for Irma who currently appears to be much more fierce

We were on the highway and my sister's mobile rang. Her husband's sister. We panicked - she lives in Florida. Did she need shelter?

Turns out she was in Pittsburgh on a flying visit to her daughter. But she has to fly home quickly - to get back before the hurricane hits.

Does she really want to be in the path of that monster hurricane?

I'm sure she doesn't. But people with jobs may not have much choice until they're officially evacuated.

Well, I wish her he best, whatever happens.

It's 9:23 p.m. now, and the rain has resumed. Not a hard rain, but if it's steady we could get a significant amount of it.

Is it raining near you, Dmitri?

Isn't the problem now hurricane Irma?

It's not raining here. But it's cloudy.

St Louis is having the most gorgeous weather this week. Not a drop in sight, and temps in the mid 70s to low 80s. Harvey gave us a pass entirely. Curious to see where Irma will go.

I remember taking an incredible sunset shot out over the farmland when Katrina came through. It was difficult to reconcile the beauty we saw with the devastation she caused in NOLA.

Stay safe, everyone!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/41186013
another one following Irma only days away ?

K-K-K-Katia, beautiful Katia,
You're the only h-h-hurricane I adore.
When the m-moon shines over the cowshed,
You will come along and blow through the kitchen door.