Historically, hurricane activity runs in 10 year cycles with 10 years of busy hurricane season and 10 years of relative inactivity. We are in the busy hurricane timeline so there should be no surprises. People forget how devastating Hurricanes Charley, Irene, Jeanne and Ivan in 2004 and Katrina (although much of the destruction was man-made) in 2005 were. Ivan was the hurricane that wouldn't die having made landfall on Sept. 16, 2004 with final dissipation on Sept. 24, 2004.

Governor Abbott waited too long to declare a mandatory evacuation, if he even ever considered such a move. It will be at least a year before things are back to normal. Hurricanes are unpredictable. They wobble, change course, make 180 degree turns, gain speed, loose speed and stall for a short period of time (Hurricane Danny.) Abbott was short-sighted and should stand up to take the blame. .

My heart and prayers go out to those who were in harm's way and the families that are suffering. 

One who's been there