Monday, August 28, 2017

MONDAY UPDATE


"This event is unprecedented and all impacts are unknown and beyond anything experienced"
                             - National Weather Service statement 8/27/2017


The quote at the top was from the NWS yesterday afternoon. When even they don't know what to expect, we're in for some uncertain times ahead.  This is like being in the middle of an end of the world disaster movie.  The next few days will be chaotic, both professionally and personally...  

WORK: I will be one of the only people able to make it in to the office (peril of living close to work, ha) and of course, insurance customer service, well, you can imagine what THAT will be like this week. 2nd Man's office is closed due to high water and power issues so he will be working from home this week.  Today, as I set this to post, we are having another round of extremely heavy rain and the mayor just told everyone to stay home and do not get out onto the roads.  So I'm off at least one day this week.

AFTER WORK: 2nd Man and I have decided to volunteer at the George R. Brown convention center to help out with people who have been evacuated.  We watched Coast Guard and Army helicopters ferrying rescued people back and forth. They have turned it into a shelter and need help serving food, passing out supplies, etc. We'll wait for the heavy rains to stop and then we'll head over there.

We are so blessed to be OK in this horrific event and we are also blessed to have two homes.  It's only right that we give back to our community and help those who have nothing left.  

As for us, we had some scary times yesterday, two tornado warnings (of about 30 Sunday alone) that showed radar indicated rotation heading directly toward us. We grabbed the cats, pillows and blankets and went to the hallway laundry room in the apartment away from the windows. They both passed over without touching down but the sky was scary looking for a bit each time. As for the flooding, we can't see it from the building because we're on the high end of downtown, we have had to rely on the local news media and online info to see where it's flooding. There are also curfews in areas to keep traffic off the roads. Both airports closed.  All schools closed.  Evacuating some hospitals.  And now they are releasing water from two massive reservoirs that are in danger of failing. If they failed, the resulting flood would impact hundreds of thousands more people in the area.


 2nd Family is fine, waterlogged and mentally and physically worn out from all the weather and tornado warnings for the area out there.  Here is a picture of their front yard.  There has been about 14" of rain but it comes and goes so this is the extent of the flooding out there, so far anyway.  Fingers crossed.  

In Houston, we've had about 25" so far.  In about one day.  We are expecting about 25" more.

Yes, that would be 50" of rain...
  
I will keep you updated this week but it might be quick and/or sporadic at times, no time for farm stuff right now (will catch up on comments as time permits) 

Keep Houston in your thoughts, this is a disaster unfolding in the 4th largest city in the US affecting millions of people. 

No one really knows how this will all end...


27 comments:

  1. So glad to hear you guys are doing okay. Praying for all impacted by this storm.

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  2. So glad you are both okay and God bless you for the volunteer work you're headed out to do. Prayers continue for you, 2nd Man, 2nd Family and all of Houston.

    Jean

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  3. Be safe! Keep your guard up. Catastrophes like this can bring the best out in people and the worst. I know that sounds harsh, but be careful.

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  4. Oh, my! What a mess for everyone there. Good for you volunteering. And thanks for the explanation of why you couldn't post photos of the flooding.

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  5. God keep you safe 🙏

    And Bless you both for thinking of helping others in the midst of this unfolding disaster. CNN has just said Houston has had 50cms of rain thus far - that is an entire years rain for us...😳

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  6. Prayers to you both and to your state. Stay safe
    Darlene N

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  7. It's a scary thing, good for you two for helping out. Please stay safe.

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  8. please stay safe and be careful, you are in my prayers/Jaana

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  9. Glad you are okay. What can we do to help?

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  10. phewwww..i am so glad you guys are okay! i was getting worried. if it wasn't for teddy, i would be heading your way. so many people need help and will for a long time. hang in there!

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  11. So glad to hear you all are safe and wanting to give back for your blessings. God Bless you.

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  12. We are thinking of you all. So shocked to see those poor elderly patients sitting waist deep in their chairs waiting to be rescued- social media helped them thank goodness.

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  13. Glad that you are ok. Love that you are volunteering. The world has you in its thoughts.

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  14. Very sad situation. I wonder how many of those people do not have flood insurance. without it home owners insurance won't cover them. They have literally lost everything. Rebuilding homes could take years, the home owner has to move to wherever homes or apartments are available while waiting to go home.

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  15. So sorry. Will definitely take years to recover. You are so nice to go help where you can. I can't even imagine.

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  16. Keeping you both in my thoughts constantly, keep safe.
    Helping out is a great way to contribute to the community and give thanks for your own safety and circumstances.
    Great opportunity to declutter , there will be plenty of people left with nothing, if you are housebound you coukd have a big sort out and have some bags and boxes ready for when the homeless need donations.

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  17. thinking of you and all houstonites. stay safe and on your high ground. keep us updated with mini posts.

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  18. So good to hear from you and know you're okay. It will be great if you can get out to volunteer, but please be careful.

    Love,
    Janie

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  19. Thinking of you and hope you continue to be safe. The stories and photos are heartbreaking. I hope the casualties are low (non-existent would be preferred but with a disaster of this magnitude, one must be realistic). I can't even begin to imagine the financial impact of loss of property. I would love to donate, do you have any good organizations to recommend?

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  20. You have been on my mind so I came to check. Glad to know you are both safe. Prayers and thoughts to those in the path of this monster storm.

    On the bright side you now have some memories that begin, "Remember Harvery..."

    Hang in there and stay safe. Thanks for helping others.

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  21. What a nightmare this has been - so much suffering, damage, and destruction from this hurricane and flooding. The pictures on TV are just heartbreaking. I saw several segments on Houston TV channels at the GRB - I thought I might catch a glimpse of you but didn't - what a kind, selfless thing to do. In the midst of all this sadness, people have really shown their goodness and generosity. The video and pictures of so many citizens out with their personal boats rescuing people - ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

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  22. Praying that the rain stops!

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  23. I know you have a lot on your plates, but your updates are greatly appreciated, please post as often as you can. Stay safe and dry.

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  24. Thanks for your updates! Sitting here on the other side of the world (more or less) it is so hard to imagine that much rain falling. The TV reports are staggering. Keeping you in my thoughts! Kia kaha (Stay strong!)

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  25. Thank You for keeping us posted and giving us updates.
    Why, Oh, why does it take such a tragedy such as this to bring people together; neighbor helping neighbor and strangers helping strangers?
    God Bless you and all those volunteers, National Guard, fire and police and remaining rescuers, Red Cross, Salvation Army; all those folks that we don't hear about that send in donations,etc. Right now, cash donations is much needed.
    I have been concerned about the Brazo's River over flowing with you and 2nd family's farms so close by.
    Thoughts and prayers be with you all.
    Take care and stay safe.

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  26. What I see on TV is really scary and unbelievable!

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  27. Keeping you both in my thoughts. Peace and Blessings

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