Hurricane Harvey Update

I want to thank so many of you for checking on us. I appreciate it more than you know. First off, we're fine. Our home didn't flood and we still have power, thank goodness. We should have plenty of food, water and pet supplies to get us through a week or so and hopefully by then, the roads will be clear and we can get to the stores. Right now, we're stuck inside our subdivision. There are flood waters all around us. None of the stores are open because no one can get to work. 

Most neighborhoods received at least 27 inches of rain, and some received about 50. FIFTY INCHES. Can you even imagine? Just think about that for a minute...what if the waters were rising and you had 10 minutes to think about what you wanted to take with you on a mandatory evacuation? AND...you could only take what you can carry in your hands. 

So many people left for work on Friday, not knowing they wouldn't be able to return to their homes that night because of rapidly rising water. These people have pets at home that are in dire need of being fed and they're worried about them being able to get up high enough above rising water inside their homes. Heartbreaking. 

In my little town, about 1/3 of the homes are flooded. The roads are impassable. We've been hearing Blackhawk helicopters overhead as they rescue people from their roofs. Yes, their ROOF. Because the water is so high in their home. 

We received a Code Red Alert phone call from our city Saturday night. It was a recording telling people that if the water was rising in their home, to take an axe and their cell phone and get to the attic. Use the axe to cut a hole in the roof and call 911. Then wait on the roof for a rescue helicopter. Again...can you even imagine? 

You can't tell where the streets start and stop. What used to be a street is now a lake. We've seen video of a deer swimming across a major six lane road. The poor animals are confused and don't know what's going on. So many people had to leave their homes, not knowing what they'd find upon return. 

Lots of people got over 5 feet of water in their homes. Just devastating. 

But, as usual, the people of Houston and the surrounding areas really stepped up to help. As heartbreaking as these stories are, there are just as many with a happy ending. People helping total strangers. People using their own boats to go around and rescue people from homes. Businesses that weren't affected are opening up their offices as a shelter. Houston will get through this. It will be awhile, but Houston will survive. 

Again, thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers for Houston and all of Texas. Please continue to pray as we'll need it for a long time and please forgive me if I can't reply to your comments or visit your blogs in the coming weeks. As soon as the water goes down and we're able to get around, I'm going to do whatever I can to help my town. I plan on donating food, clothing and whatever else they need. 

If you can, please donate to the American Red Cross. You can donate $10 by texting HARVEY to 90999. People are in need of food, water, clothing, pet food, medicine, toiletries, and so much more. We all thank you. 

Here are some pictures of the devastation...

Below is before hurricane Harvey and after...

FM 528 at Bay Area Blvd...

This is a high school stadium...

Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. It's very much appreciated. And if you can, please text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross. 

~Lisa