Hurricane Harvey

[frustratedearthmother]

So sorry Greybeard. So glad you are up on pilings.

There were actually mandatory evacuations for folks in several known low lying areas. Matagorda county - the whole county was ordered to evacuate...the east end of Galveston island...and right now there is a mandatory evacuation less than 15 miles from me because of predicted river flooding.

Bay, not only are they going to release water from the dam....they are going to release water from the two big reservoirs in Houston...Addicks and Barker. Insult to injury...

IF/WHEN this thing turns around and comes back at us again - with another 40+ inches of rain....I don't even have words for how bad it might be. May start moving things upstairs...

 

[LocoYokel]

FEM, I sure hope it doesn't get to your house but I am glad to hear you have an upstairs if you need it. Also hoping Greybeard's stilts are going to be enuff.
They have started calling it a 500 year flood now, and another storm is brewing on the SE coast. This is just crazy scarey weather.

 

[Baymule]

FEM definitely move things upstairs. My sister and BIL packed things up in a box truck (they have a business) and one of their sons drove it to high ground. They moved things upstairs also. Having done this before, they have a small refrigerator and they got that out of a portable building and it is upstairs too, along with food and water. My advice to you is to make sure you have food and water upstairs, clothing and other necessities. Do it now, don't wait. Here you were worried about mixing your goats up in the barn........they might rather be upstairs with you! What's a few goat berries in the carpet when you have a flood.

@greybeard I am glad that you are up on stilts. You might want to get all the tools you can out of your shop and put them in the house. You will need them later, especially electrical tools. Can you turn your generator off at intervals to conserve fuel?

 

[Mini Horses]

This is so devastating. Yes, it will be years of recovery. Saw on my AM news that several units of rescue helos were sent from this area to assist, as well as some water rescue teams/boats, etc. We are coastal so there are many well trained service & civilian personnel for these type rescues. Operation Blessings is home based here and had sent assist when storm was already predicted to hit.

In my lifetime I have seen several areas of destruction, living here in VA Beach for over 60 years. In FL when hurricane Andrew wiped out Homestead, spent 2 months there to rebuild our apartment properties. We had to send our own materials from here - 4 tractor trailer loads - and crews. Not flooding but looked like a dozen bulldozers had lined up and ran over the entire town.

At my current farm, in Fall 1999 a hurricane came inland from coastal NC with rains not as bad as TX now but, still a 100 yr storm event. The little town nearest me, built along a small river, was totally underwater. Much loss of property and many farms lost animals big time. I had been at another home as this one was not built, drove out to see conditions and no issues. Drove to the town for some items and as I got to the bridge -- it was totally underwater. The river was 16' above flood level and I was in shock!! Obviously had not seen news that morning. Took couple years to recover.

I hope that more people in TX have flood insurance than those in the little town near me!

At this time it is a situation where there just are not enough resources to help everyone that needs it. This is a SHTF time. I pray that those who are at least "safe" are prepared to hunker down until things can settle and be assessed. Conserve gas as it will become hard to get.

 

[Ferguson K]

Just checking in. We are OK here. My house still has power. My store is flooded. Animals are seeking shelter.

I took these yesterday, we went out to see damage.

I took tons but I'll put these up. These birds aren't on ponds or rivers. They're fishing in flood water. These are the raw unedited pictures.... but you get the point.

Towns are flooding. People are evacuating. It's a terrible sight but we are safe.

My grandparents are flooded and water is coming into their home but they haven't left yet. They are stubborn.

Johns family has evacuated completely. Flood waters have pretty much destroyed their homes.

@frustratedearthmother the pictures I sent you yesterday have nothing on what we are seeing this morning.

 

[CntryBoy777]

So glad to hear that y'all are okay, and sorry things aren't looking any better for awhile. It is really devastating what is happening there and it will definitely change the landscape for a long time to come.....stay Safe and know our Prayers are with all of ya down there and let us know if we can help in any way....

 

[Baymule]

My SIL in Conroe (high and safe) just called to let us know that my sister and her husband had to be rescued from their second story last night by their son and friends in a boat. They and their pets are at their son's home now, exhausted and asleep. Their home and business is under water. Their son and friends got all their equipment and vehicles out yesterday.

Y'all pray for Texas.

If anybody wants to donate to the clean up effort, I would suggest the Texas Baptist Men. They are an excellent organization and do lots of good work. I am not a Baptist, not pushing a religion, but I know this is a very good organization. There is a chapter here in Lindale and we are going to donate to it.

http://www.texasbaptistmen.org/

 

[Baymule]

Kate, I am not surprised that TSC is flooded. It is right there next to Long King Creek and is in a flood plain. Even though there was over a million dollars in dirt work alone to build the building site up, it was still lower than Highway 190. You will have a huge mess to clean up when you can go back to work. Please try not to work yourself to death. The community needs you, the community needs TSC, so I know the crush will be on you to get everything up and running ASAP, but please take care of yourself.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Still here, still ok. We are without power now - sorta. It started flickering about 6:30 this morning and never stopped flickering. Not really the best way to explain it... it never really went out but instead was pulsing. Lights were flashing on and off, computer screens flashing on and off so I cut the main breaker. Same thing at the neighbors...

We'll start the generator eventually - don't really need it right now. All I need right now is a cup of coffee. Gotta go dig out the French press and the camp stove to heat water.

Kate - I didn't get any pictures

 

[Ferguson K]

Still here, still ok. We are without power now - sorta. It started flickering about 6:30 this morning and never stopped flickering. Not really the best way to explain it... it never really went out but instead was pulsing. Lights were flashing on and off, computer screens flashing on and off so I cut the main breaker. Same thing at the neighbors...

We'll start the generator eventually - don't really need it right now. All I need right now is a cup of coffee. Gotta go dig out the French press and the camp stove to heat water.

Kate - I didn't get any pictures

Well cell towers are flooding so signal is shotty at best in most places.

It appears about 3 of my team members made it into the store to check on things. A few customers desperate for tarps and dog food have been through.

Wish I could make it out and get there.