The view from Austin

The storm is looking pretty serious. CNN is reporting that as many as 37,000 people may require rescue in the wake of Ike. 

And while things are legitimately scary on the coast, here in Austin...

... people are freaking out! Even if Ike were headed directly at us--which it isn't--the damage to an inland city would likely be very minor. There is a reason that evacuees from the coast are being sent to Austin.

But that hasn't prevented hysterical Austinites from evacuating, buying up all the gasoline, and even closing schools early today. I went to the store for a jug of water, only to discover that in the whole store, there were only two jugs of water left. 

So naturally I bought both jugs. You know, just in case.