I live in NE houston and it’s been raining for three days straight. The weather channel is telling us that the rain will continue through the week. The challenges for us are only just beginning.
I wanted to answer a few questions I keep seeing asked all over social media.
Why didn’t we evacuate
For one thing, most of us were told NOT to evacuate. This isn’t some conspiracy theory or the fault of an irresponsible mayor. Over two million people live in Houston. There was not time to evacuate everyone. No one knew the hurricane would be a category 4 until it was about to hit land. And by that time, it was too late. In fact, the last time Houston tried to evacuate, was Hurricane Rita. See the photos below on how well that went.
So many people died on the roads because they got stuck in traffic and the roads flooded.
To evacuate us safely would take more time than we had, so most of us sheltered in place. Houston has been through DOZENS of massive hurricanes, but none of them have been like this.
I'm tired of hearing people complain how Houston should've evacuated. Here are some photos from memory lane for those…
Posted by Justin Villasenor Concepcion on Sunday, August 27, 2017
Those of us who are not underwater are now stuck. Many can’t leave our neighborhoods. Others can’t leave their homes. Those of us with dry homes and dry streets still can’t get out of our little area to go and help (unless we had a boat). Flash flood warnings are still coming and going, so if we were to leave our homes to try to help anyone it’s more likely that we’d end up needing to be rescued ourselves than we would actual be able to help.
We feel so helpless. Just watching the waters rise.
It’s still raining.
It’s been raining for days and it’s still coming down.
Last night dams from up north had to let out water into our already flooded rivers and bayous and we watched the waters rise again.
Places who have had power for the last few days are now losing it.
Grocery stores are open for a few hours each day (if that) and if you can make it to one to re-stock your shelves you try because you don’t know when it will be your turn to lose power or when you might find your roads impassable.
Every few hours we get alerts on our phones telling us to stop calling 911 unless it is a life threatening emergency. 911 is overworked and people in near death situations are having trouble getting through because people with “only” minor tragedies don’t know who else to call.
Houston is huge.
And Houston is broken.
We can normally reach anyone within an hour – but right now we are stuck texting and calling every hour just to be sure everyone is still okay.
People who were fine Saturday got water in their homes Sunday.
People who were dry Saturday and Sunday evacuated last night and this morning.
And for those still wondering why don’t we leave now?
We’re stuck. The interstates are closed. This storm is so big we would have to drive through hours of rain and likely get stuck somewhere along the way. And for some of us, we can’t even get to an interstate or out of a neighborhood because we. are. stuck.
Photo credit: David Knight
The water is everywhere.
All we can do is wait. And be ready to rebuild when the rain stops.
I know many people in safe(r) places digging through their closets today, organizing their homes with all their things that they plan to donate the moment we can get out on the roads.
For my family, today we are safe. Today we are dry. Today we are without power. Today they told us they might be shutting off our water, so those pans and bowls of water on our countertop might just come in handy after all.
Today we are stuck in this part of town with no safe way to get anywhere else.
Today we are thankful for what we have left, as we wait.
Wait for the rain to stop in a few days.
Wait for the waters to go down so we can rush out and help our neighbors.
Wait for our city to look more like a city and less like part of the ocean.
The river is still rising.
Records are still being broken in the worst possible way.
And it is still raining.
******
Christina says
I know you probably won’t get this for quite a while, but we are praying for you, and all of Houston. I can’t even begin to imagine the fear going through your mind right now as you try to keep your family safe with the rising water.
Sharing this post today.
JDaniel4's Mom says
Thank you so much for writing this post! I think those of us that don’t live there really don’t know what it is like in Houston!
Shelly says
Sending so many prayers from College Station!!
Kathy U. says
I would love to know the best places to donate financially. I don’t trust the Red Cross so I would prefer something local.
Jen says
We just donated through Preemptive Love Coalition http://www.preemptivelove.org – a very trustworthy organization that we have been donating to for a couple years now.
Debbie says
Southern Baptist disaster relief, Samaritans Purse, Salvation Army….
PLC says
My sister was driving from Dallas to Austin today and saw a convoy of Samaritan’s Purse semis, headed for Houston. I trust them with my donation.
michael says
Major International charities like Red Cross and Salvation Army are inefficient, to say the least. If you do not know a local charity, try this: https://www.youcaring.com/victimsofhurricaneharvey-915053
Denise says
Salvation Army!
Shelly says
I trust this organization 100%
https://www.convoyofhope.org
Suzanne Cate says
Donate to UMCOR, United Methodist Committee in atelier. 100% of your donation goes to the relief. Great, reliable, effective organization. UMCOR.org.
Joan Keller says
THE SALVATION ARMY
Chaundel Johnson says
Donate to HEB or houstonfoodbank.org or houstonhumane.org/giving or ASPCA of Texas or foodbankcc.org (food bank of Corpus Christi) or a church you know personally is helping. I donated to HEB – they have a button for Hurricane Harvey: they add no fees or anything
Angie says
In our thoughts and prayers! We have family in Houston. I can’t even imagine.
Sheri Topolewski says
Dear Paula, thank you for painting a clear picture for us to see just what you are going through there in Texas.
We in Georgia are praying for you all and now, with your guidance, we can be very specific.
Paula, I pray will can actually feel every prayer that is lifted on your behalf covering you like a warm blanket in winter. Nestle in and feel the warmth of God’s embrace and He cares for you in unexpected ways.
I commit to pray for you and your family until….., yes…until.
VERLA says
Praying in New Brunswick. CANADA ??
Eckheart (Mari) says
Praying for you and all your loved ones. Don’t lose hope God is with you!
Chrissy Carroll says
Keeping you all in my thoughts. I can only imagine what a scary situation this must be.
Jessica says
hang in there, last year our city went through a large evacuation because of a fire and it takes a huge emotional toll. there’s nothing I can say that hasnt already been said. Take care of yourself.
Elise Cohen Ho says
We wish you the best of luck and are putting supplies together to ship.
Katharine says
Y’all are not going through this alone. The whole country is watching and waiting to know what to do and when. Our hearts are with you even now. We’ve cried for you and prayed for you, whole churches full of us. Don’t give up. Hold on. <3 K
Jennifer Dugan says
Anyone who judges the situation needs to realize that unless you are there, you have no clue. I can hear it in your words you are frustrated with not being able to do more – however your words is helping the word spread of what it is really like. I hope people read this and realize this is not over. So many people talk about tragic events the first few days and then go on with their lives forgetting that someone is still going thru a nightmare. This is a long road for so many – let’s help to remind everyone not to forget about it just because you are not there experiencing it – please continue to share with the world what is happening and how they can help!
Kim @ Wildflower Four says
Sending prayers from Connecticut.
Sandy says
Prayers for you and your family from Iowa. May you feel God’s strong arms around you comforting and guiding you. God Bless!
Carol Eskin says
You are in our thoughts and prayers…from Virginia Beach, Va. GOD BLESS TEXAS!
Annette Petrick says
So good to hear the truth from someone in the thick of things. Thanks so much for your sharing.
Claudia says
Praying for you! Hold on to hope!!
Christy says
Thank you for sharing! Praying for you all! I can not begin to fathom what you all are dealing with please know that you and everyone else affected are in our thoughts and prayers! I pray that you continue to feel God’s strength, love, and presence.
Linda Luke says
Sending prayers for all.
Stephanie says
Prayers from Brenham! We are experiencing flooded county roads with some bridges and culverts washed away, but nothing like those of you in Houston! I know so many safe, but trapped in their homes, and others who are safe, but their homes are destroyed by the flooding. Such a crazy storm. I am honored to call Texas my home when I see all the people coming together to help the stranger next to them. That is what it truly means to be a Texan. Prayers to you and your neighbors.
Elsie Buchanan says
I would pray that this same statement of seeing people come together, helping strangers, honored to be an AMERICAN could be true for our whole country that is soooo torn apart ! God Bless all of you in Texas and God bless all of us in America that wants that kind of trust and loving kindness to be exhibited.
Mrs. Motivated Mommy says
You are in our thoughts and prayers, Sending so many prayers your way! God bless Texas.
xoxo
Kathy Showman says
We are donating through PDA, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. We have church members who also go on site to assist.
Jane Crowley says
Hang in there Paula. I live in Tomball, TX and we are experiencing all the these things exactly as you described them. We came within about 2 inches of having water enter our house. I shared your post on my Facebook page because I can think of no more accurate description to help explain to friends and family what is happening here. Now that the water is starting to recede my thoughts are turning to what all of our lives will look like as the recovery process begins. Will we be able to get food and fuel? Will the city of Houston be able to accommodate all those who had to evacuate their homes due to massive flooding? Will the good people of Houston be taken advantage of by looters and unscrupulous contractors hoping to make money on the heels of others’ tragedy? Hoe long will it be before life feel even a little bit normal again?
Rena says
I feel for you…truly. I cannot even imagine even though I see all the photos posted.
I donated to Team Rubicon–a good group. Veterans. They go in and help rebuild.
https://fundraise.teamrubiconusa.org/charity/charity?cid=5643
Rev Dr Ginger Brittain Jarman says
Give to Week of Compasdion (Week of compassion.com). 100% will go to Harvey Hurtican relief.). I trust these folks and they are on the scene now.
Jan Phillips says
You can fully trust the organization when you donate to https://www.ldscharities.org/ Click on “How To Help.” They are well-known as first responders in disasters and for their integrity, disaster relief, and volunteer services.
Horace Williams Jr. says
Well stated here Paula. I lived in Houston for almost 15 years. I remember vividly being hunkered down for days, some with electric and some with just candles and flashlights during a hurricane event. Thank you for writing this and giving people some perspective on this tragedy. I will continue praying and have donated to charities I believe will help. I know the Houston area will rebuild, and my thoughts are with everyone in the area. Thank you again for making this available via Facebook. Be well, stay safe, and may God continue to bless you and your family.