Living Car Free - Severe Weather

I have always known what I would do if a real hurricane came the houston, bail to my parents place. It looks like I might be getting off early tuesday morning in a strong tropical storm or (possible cat 1 hurricane though I don't think this will be the case). Anybody got some advice, if any? I could walk instead of bike but I don't see any real advatnage of it except walking would keep me in the elements longer, and I doubt I will be able to score a cab in these conditions.

Got a mountain bike?

Got a mountain bike?No, a cyclocross which I normally go running into the rain, still like to play in the mud in all. But high winds and downed powerlines maybe a little hardcore for me.

If you know you're geting off work early tomorrow, take the day off. Then you can ride to your parents house tonight, in a breeze and sprinkles rather than a storm.

If you know you're geting off work early tomorrow, take the day off. Then you can ride to your parents house tonight, in a breeze and sprinkles rather than a storm.

Well, this storm really isn't bad enough for me to evacuate to my parents place or justify missing work, maybe I can talk the boss into closing shop early tonight.

I have had wind gusts knock the bike out from under me on icy slick roads. With the higher gusts and wet roads you may get stay off of paint stripes, steel plates, and maintenance hole covers.

Hunker down before the storm hits. The water seems to fly horizontally with debris mixed in with it. Responsible people pick up or tie down anything loose but there will be stuff flying through the air anyway especially when roofs come off houses or trailers fall apart.

My general rule is that if it is raining hard enough or hailing enough that it would hurt I stay home. Same would go for windy debris or just wind, if you step outside and things are flying through the air go back in. If you have to concentrate on staying upright turn around. For a tropical storm I would expect alot less flying debris other than hail and rain.

For a tropical storm do they expect the same Tornado warnings along the arms as a Hurricane breeds? I would probably stay in doors if a Tornado seemed imminent.

As for flood waters: your bike is more capable than most cars, I turn around if I notice a current or if I'm not certain how deep it is. Although be careful it is not always easy to judge the speed of the current, so I err on the side of caution.

Use your head and listen when something tells you to turn around or get out.

If I have to evacuate from a storm area (and yes I do evacuate) I usually leave as early as feasible to beat the storm. FWIW I left Mobile, AL a full 28 hours ahead of Katrina and would do it again in a heart beat. I have looked at various scenarios and if you plan to use you bike to evacuate you need to do it as soon as possible to not lose your advantage, once the winds and tropical rains start it is going to be that much harder. However they do run in bands so perhaps you could time it accordingly and make a run for it.

Aaron:)