While Katrina got all the coverage, some of us endured the aftermath of Rita, with little or no attention. We too were without power 6 weeks. As far as dealing with boiled water notices, no one on the gulf coast riding out storms should be without a propane grill, and plenty of propane supply.
Word on the propane. We never get lower than 2 spare tanks at a time. Just because of Katrina. The only reason Katrina got newsworthy was the 9th ward. If it had strictly been a rural MS storm you’d have seen one news report and that’d have been it.
Feel for y’all in Rita country. Know exactly what it was like for you.
I was also without power during Rita. That was a horrible experience as leave notices were in effect from Houston down to the coast. The freeway a couple of blocks from my house was stacked with cars that couldn't move. The exits were blocked so they couldn't get off. That Hwy. 45 through here at that time was two lane on each side. They started tearing that highway up shortly after Rita and now it's four lanes both sides. I felt so sorry for those trapped on the highway.
I know you remember several people died on that road. Gov. Perry fixed that - now, gasoline trucks are stationed along exit roads if a large number of people have to leave.
Houston got smarter with Ike and told people to stay put unless they were in low lying areas. They stayed home which gave the folks from Houston to Galveston a much smaller amount of cars on the roads out.
We used our propane grill just like you did. I also have enough canned heat and several Sterno stoves to last a year. I've got enough jar candles for nighttime use to last a year.
Having a plan can save your life.