A Hurricane Named Harvey

I was born in 1985, and mainly lived in the Corpus Christi area all of my life, minus 11 months in Austin. Then in 2008 I moved to the Houston area. Three months later, almost to the day,  I experienced my first hurricane. Ike.

It truly is astounding that in 23 years living in Corpus Christi I didn't experience any hurricanes. I remember Ike very well. The time without power, how rude people were when it came to getting supplies and necessities leading to Ike's landfall. Luckily a cool front came through after and kept the temperatures bearable. People came together afterward, helped each other, you saw a true sense of community. Every year since, I have been mindful of hurricane season. I watch the news, I keep water on hand, and dry goods that area easily prepared.

When Harvey developed last week, I was mindful once again. Before any schools were cancelled I took a trip to the store for more water, snacks, dog food, and things of that nature.

And then on Thursday when schools started closing (mine included) I went back to the store. I remember us having to cook everything on the bbq pit due to losing power, and my husband was mindful of that too (we didn't know each other during Ike, but had similar experiences). So I went back to the store for charcoal and a few fun snacks for the kids. The lines were long, but people were being nice, helping each other, and no one was frustrated. People patiently waited. Then I picked up dinner, and again long lines, but again patience. And even more impressive - the people working, with no clue of when they would go home - they had patience, and smiles.

It is now Monday, and the rain has not stopped. It started heavily Friday evening, rained all day Saturday and Sunday (some spells of no rain, but those were few), and here we are almost done with the morning this Monday, and it is still raining. Not only have we had rain, we have had wind, and tornadoes. Night and day phone's are going off with warnings and watches. The emergency alert system breaks through every show telling people to seek cover, don't drive, hunker down. To say that the Houston metropolitan area has been devastated would be an understatement.

For people who are not familiar with Houston here is something information I have found:

For my non-Houston friends the below details may help you understand the devastation:

The Houston area is huge. The greater metropolitan area is circled by the Grand Parkway - which is 170 miles long. That makes the area of the circle inside the Grand Parkway over 2200 sq. miles.

2200 square miles of densely inhabited, urban and suburban, areas is flooded.

Imagine if the entire state of Delaware, with twice the population of Manhattan, was under water.

That's Houston.

It's still raining.

The pictures...they are sad but encouraging. Throughout this ordeal people have lost everything. Houses have flooded, cars have been washed away. I have read the accounts of friends who were dry and a minute later water was rushing into their homes before they had a chance to get stuff put up and way. Friends have shared images of the water in their houses, water covering their vehicles. Areas that have never flooded, well, did. But this is Texas. A beautiful, wonderful state that defies odds.

People are coming to Texas from all over the country to help. But even better, is that Texas is helping Texas. Communities near and far (Texas is a big state) are sending resources, and people to help. And its not just first responders, or those trained, but every day people, the average Joe's are loading up and heading our way. People with boats are driving to Houston (and just south of here, all the way down to Corpus Christi) to help people who are trapped on roofs. There was a nursing home with water in it, with residence still in it. And people posted about it, it got to the news, and they were rescued. 

Here is a great link by the NYTimes that shows how much water Houston has received: before-and-after-harvey

I sometimes bemoan social media, but I have seen it used wonderfully to help people in need. Anything can be a tool for good and for evil. And lately it seems like social media has been a big stick stirring the pot of discontent and discord in our country. But over the past 4 days I have seen it used to aide people in need, bring people together, unite communities in prayer. And even today, it is being used to encourage people that if you are at home, no water in your home - use your time to clean out your closets so you can help those who have lost everything. I have seen it used to update people on which grocery stores are open so people can replenish their supplies.

Projected rain still to come as of Monday 8/28/2017

Harvey isn't done yet. More rain is expected over the next SEVERAL days. A friend lives just a handful of miles away and she has recorded over 36" of rain at her house since this all started on Friday. Please continue to pray. Texas is showing the nation what community is about. We are helping each other, we are supportive, and we are mindful. 

Personally, we are well. We were able to get out and about Friday and Saturday and had dinner both evenings with my in-love's. There was food, fellowship, and games. It was a good distraction from being in our house for so long. The ditch behind our house yesterday was the highest I have ever seen

Ditch behind our house on 8/27/2017

it. And that was looking from our back door (part of our fence fell Friday). Here's the thing - Houston was built on bayou's. There is water all around. We expect flooding to happen with rain events. But this is unprecedented. Today, the ditch is so far down, we cannot see it from the back door, and I have no desire to put my rain boots on and go look where it is at. One of our local grocers did open this morning, and I saw a friend post about it. She grabbed us some milk and banana's - Brock drove up to meet her in the parking lot. We have food, and now having milk we can cook a few more things other than soup. We have power, there hasn't been flooding on our immediate street, and the drainage system we have is pretty spectacular. Neighbors are checking on neighbors. We might be bored somewhat in our house - the kids do have some cabin fever - but we are well. It could be so much worse - as it is for many that we know. And through the days ahead, I will place my hope in the One who created the storm. The One who has numbered days, and knows the steps I will take.

Isaiah 25:4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,

Psalm 57:1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Pray for Houston, Pray for ALL who have been impacted