So far, all reports are that Houston has evaded major damage. I've spoken to my in-laws, my next-door neighbor, and my friend Andrea, who lives about a mile away from us. All are fine, all have power, and our neighbor reports that while there are some downed branches, our house has no broken windows. I'm very much relieved.

Every Houston-area blogger I've checked in on seems to be fine as well. The one I was most worried about was Jack, and he reports that there's no major problems in his part of Seabrook. All of the Chron's Stormwatchers look okay, too.

Good news for Houston is still not so good news for Beaumont, Port Arthur, and much of Louisiana. Rita may very well stall out somewhere over Texas and/or Louisiana and dump a hufge quantity of rain there. There will still need to be a big relief effort. And as Greg reminds us, the Red Cross still very much needs our help with that.

As things stand now, we'll probably return Monday night, though we'll have to see what road conditions are like, since we'll surely be far from alone. For now, all is well. I hope and pray that it stays that way for everyone who is still threatened by Rita.