texcoaster Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 kemah boardwalk already flooded. Expecting 15ft of water (meaning 13ft of water for the Bullet). This isn't just flood water, but moving, churning water with possible 20ft waves on top of the surge. I'll be very surprised if the Bullet escapes major damage. I half expect it to be swept out to sea.
thrillerman1 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Astroworldfan1...It is from a live webcast: http://www.khou.com/video/?nvid=178826&live=yes&noad=yes They have been reporting live from Kemah and showed it under water.
coastercrazy216 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Like I said, I got the credit. Now it can wash away for the pain it caused my back...
ParkTrips Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 The news also said that if Galveston Island get the 15 foot surge, most of the island will be under water. Probably true, seeing as the sea wall isn't more than 10 feet or so tall, but at least they built the entire island to slope down after the major hurricane they were nailed by a century ago.. so it should run off easily (in theory!) As for Kemah.. I liked the park itself but I'm certainly expecting to see it get really torn up. Hopefully Schlitterbahn isn't hurt too much either
GuruGuys Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Tilman Ferrita was just on KHOU. He said that the park should be re-opened on Monday night, he expects most of the restaurants to be re-open then because they are extremely efficient in cleaning up after storm surge. He said of course the rides will take some time, and he said that they are most worried about the Bullet because of the storm surge. While it was built to withstand winds up to 130mph, this surge pounding on it for hours will take its toll. They were planning on shutting it down soon for major work, I think it was going to be down for several months, so this will make that a certainty. The coaster trains were already removed, they were already in the process of sending one train back to be worked on. It will be interesting to see if they try to salvage it or just tear it down and start over. -GG
coastercrazy216 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 ^Why would they tear it down. I mean sure, I don't like it. However, they did spend like 8 million on it. That just does not seem logical.
GuruGuys Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 ^Why would they tear it down. I mean sure, I don't like it. However, they did spend like 8 million on it. That just does not seem logical. There have been so many issues with the reliability of the coaster, I am just assuming that adding wood on the lower 15 feet that has been submerged in salt water for almost a day, battered by waves, etc, might require them to tear it down and rebuild. They could fix the other problems with it in the process. I did say tear it down and rebuild, not tear it down and forget about it. -GG
thrillerman1 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Well if Kemah did have to do that, I hope they orient the lift hill in the "correct" direction facing the bay.
terrancew_hod Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Not sure where in relation to the coaster this is, but here's a webcam shot: Looks like there's flooding and if that's part of the boardwalk, it's about to go underwater. Luckily the water should go back out after the storm, but whatever it damaged will be left.
coastercrazy216 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 So are you saying that they should have GG build them another ride, but with a different design. I would say they should get Intamin to get build a ride for them. Have a steep lift and a 80 degree drop and a prefab track.
texcoaster Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 that is on the opposite side of the Boardwalk, which is about 2ft higher than the Bullet. The water is rising about 1ft per hour, which will be way faster as the storm gets closer. It's still 9 hours from landfall
GuruGuys Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 So are you saying that they should have GG build them another ride, but with a different design. I would say they should get Intamin to get build a ride for them. Have a steep lift and a 80 degree drop and a prefab track. I'd go for the Bullet design with a properly installed prefab track. -GG
astroworldfan1 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 When I get home, I'm wearing my BB shirt. I think they should rebuild it, but put the lift hill facing the bay. I wonder where the trains are? -Tatum
terrancew_hod Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 I wonder where the trains are? In the water. Terry
astroworldfan1 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 ^ I meant the BB trains. But, the C.P Hunnington trains and their coaches are submerged too! -Tatum
spaceace12 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Hopefully they parked the rides that can move up and down up high enough to prevent damage (aviator, observation tower, and any other ride).
GuruGuys Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 When I get home, I'm wearing my BB shirt. I think they should rebuild it, but put the lift hill facing the bay. I wonder where the trains are? -Tatum I believe one train was going to be shipped off for repair, I don't know if it made it that far. Either way the trains are most likely stored one one of the upper floors in the parking garage out of harms way. -GG
astroworldfan1 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Parking garage? Where is that? -Tatum
GuruGuys Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 ^ I meant the BB trains. But, the C.P Hunnington trains and their coaches are submerged too! -Tatum I think they may send those to the other location (downtown), but not sure on that one. -GG
astroworldfan1 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 ^ There's another boardwalk? I'm confused? Parking garages? Huh? -Tatum
GuruGuys Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 Parking garage? Where is that? -Tatum Parking garage is located south of the aquarium restaurant. Its a huge 5 story (I think) concrete garage. Its clearly visible on the satellite view, the corner of 2nd and Kemah Boardwalk street, the large building. Kemah Boardwalk on Google Maps Satellite The new google satellite view also includes the coaster, used to be just an empty parking lot until recently. -GG
GuruGuys Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 ^ There's another boardwalk? I'm confused? Parking garages? Huh? -Tatum There is another Aquarium restaurant and complex next to downtown. It is owned by the same person and shares the same style trains, among other things. Again, I have no idea if they actually took them there, I would just assume that would be a optional location. That location is subject to flooding as well since it is right next to Buffalo Bayou, but it isn't expected to flood this time around. Downtown Aquarium, Kemah Boardwalk Sister site...
astroworldfan1 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 OK! Thanks for clearing things up! That helped me alot! I never noticed that parking garage before! -Tatum
coastercrazy216 Posted September 12, 2008 Posted September 12, 2008 I really still hope we get an Intamin Prefab. Sorry GG...
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