Texas has been on my mind all week. The Cat 4 storm was unimaginable to me.
I’ve lived in south Florida for over 25 years, and I’ve been through a few hurricanes. A couple of them left us without power for 2 weeks at a time. But those were Cat 1 or 2.
And I thought the storm was the worst of it until they received over 50 inches of rain. 50 inches. It boggles the mind.
Folks who thought they’d dodged a bullet found themselves under water later on, as floodgates were opened to prevent the levees from breaking. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the images of boat traffic jams in the streets, ferrying survivors from their drowned homes to someplace dry. Or the men, women, and children plucked up in baskets by Coast Guard helicopters.
The stories of ordinary people who used what they had to help others touch my heart. There was the owner of a furniture store who opened the shop to give folks someplace dry to go and rest. That stands out to me.
Once the water goes down, it’s going to take a herculean effort to get things cleaned up. Families will be displaced for months, if not years. And many have lost everything.
If you’re of a mind to help, the Red Cross seems the way to go. I realize there’s been some buzz about the percentage of money that actually goes to victims. But I know that when disaster strikes, those folks with the red cross on their vests are the first ones who show up with food, blankets, a place to stay, and plenty of other things.
I hope you’re warm and dry tonight, surrounded by the ones you love. Be sure to give them a hug. Happy Saturday night!
P.S. There’s another storm out in the Atlantic, slated to be Cat 4 Hurricane Irma by this time next week, and possibly headed our way. Hopefully, it’ll just blow itself out before then. ❤
Adventures in Date Night 