Thinking of our SCS friends from Texas....

[Rachelrose]

Hoping you are all safe. Lydia, hoping your lovely craft room still looks just like it did in the video tour you made of it.

[bzzzeee]

Yes, praying for the safety and well-being of everyone in the path of the storm.

[wavejumper]

Yes! It has not ended yet for many and wont for days yet. :(

[beaddict]

It's messy down there for sure! My friend's daughter went home to Rockport to find a pile of rubble where her home once stood.I have other friends that evacuated but haven't heard back from them about their home.


Having experienced flooding myself, my heart goes out to my friends and all others that are dealing with catastrophic situations in their lives. Mother nature can definitely be a shrew.

[Craftwise]

I am sorry to hear about your friends' daughter...there are never the right words for a catastrophe. Trying to communicate is such a frustrating aspect of this, absolutely. Hope you hear very soon.
Sherri L

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaddict

It'smessy down there for sure! My friend's daughter went home to Rockport to find a pile of rubble where her home once stood.I have other friends that evacuated but haven't heard back from them about their home.


Having experienced flooding myself, my heart goes out to my friends and all others that are dealing with catastrophic situations in their lives. Mother nature can definitely be a shrew.

[Rachelrose]

Yes, I was down here for Wilma and watched my car go under water up to the dashboard and everything in my house start floating. It's the worst.

Has anyone seen a post from Lydia? I know Austin is right in the area where things are worst.


And Linda (hotwheels) also lives where things would have gotten bad.


Hoping people will give us a shout out when they can get online to say they are all right.

[beaddict]

Haven't seen anything from Lydia. There are widespread power outages though so that would definitely put a crimp in communication capability.

I'm sure they'll have stories to tell. Hopefully not horrible stories.


Praying that everyone is safe.

[Benzi]

I've seen a few posts from Lydia this morning and was very happy to see them.

[bjeans]

An article about safe donating and other ways to give, from donating blood, to being a foster home for animals overloading shelters, even to sending notes to first responders.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyph...how-to-donate/

[wavejumper]

I'm glad there was a Lydia sighting. Her last blog was the 23rd.

Hotwheels is a concern.

[gregzgurl]

Not to negate how happy we always are to see posts from Lydia, but Austin is far enough inland that none of the weather radars have shown any rain in that area (yet).  I'm monitoring because I have kids/grandkids in Texas...  I'm definitely joining all of you in praying for and sending out hope and all the rest of it for all of those who are in harm's way.

[Glitter Gypsy]

Liz aka LazyLizard, is in Sugar Land if I'm not mistaken. That's on Houston's southwest side and it has been hit very hard. Hope she's okay.


Is Linda aka Hotwheels in the Houston area?

[maryalena]

I lived in Texas for much of my working life. I am not a native but I found people there to be very quick to help their neighbors and their community. The rescues by private citizens are remarkable but what I would expect. I hope Lydia and her family are on high ground.

[UnderstandBlue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzgurl

Not to negate how happy we always are to see posts from Lydia, but Austin is far enough inland that none of the weather radars have shown any rain in that area (yet).  I'm monitoring because I have kids/grandkids in Texas...  I'm definitely joining all of you in praying for and sending out hope and all the rest of it for all of those who are in harm's way.

Oh no - not so. We had a historic rainfall here. We finally got a break yesterday which was amazing. Schools will open normally again here today Not so in Houston, as the storm is turning around and heading back out. They need your prayers desperately. This will most likely be the largest flood in US history.

Thank you so much for worrying about us! 

[UnderstandBlue]

We also got 50+mph winds, but only lost half of one tree. Many friends and neighbors had much more. 

This thing was still a hurricane 12 hours after landfall, which is very unusual in Texas.

We are two hours northwest of Houston and we got pounded, if that tells you how terrible a storm this was. Normally Austin just gets rain bands, but this was a mind-boggling hurricane and a terrifying flood event. 

Linda is near Dallas, so that's almost three hours north of here so they didn't have a hurricane impact - maybe some rain. 

[Benzi]

Good to see you here, Lydia. Sue, I hope your kids and grandkids are going to be fine....such a harrowing time for so many. Thinking of Linda, Liz, Lynn and all of our SCS friends in Texas. Hubby has family in TX but they are fine. Prayers for everyone...things seem to definitely be getting worse.

[Rachelrose]

I just saw on the news that they are evacuating people to Austin, so it must be beyond the reach of the storm.

Linkda aka Hotwheels is north of that, so I'm thinking she's okay at this point as well.

Edited: Oops, just saw Lydia's post! Sounds like you escaped the worst of it, at least, Lydia. And glad Linda is out of harm's way.

[gregzgurl]

Thanks for weighing in and correcting me, Lydia! Goes to show that the radar pics I get out here in Vegas don't tell the whole story, or - more likely - you got inundated while I was away from the computer and missed that round... Anyway, I'm glad things are not totally catastrophic in your neck of the woods, even if they are a mess. Here's REALLY hoping that others are faring as well as possible through this ordeal...

[wavejumper]

It isn't just the initial hurricane...it is the rain/wind since...just wont stop! Dams they are already bleeding-they cant keep up with it.

Trillions of gallons of water have fallen already....if only we could channel it to places desperate for water! One guy on tv said it was a million gallons per person in southern TX! I dont know if that is true-I guess we will find out. Unfathomable numbers!

[sue28]

My heart and good wishes go out to all the SCS community in Texas who have been affected - we get quite extensive footage on our evening news and it is distressing to see how widespread it seems to be~

[lazylizard]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glitter Gypsy

Liz aka LazyLizard, is in Sugar Land if I'm not mistaken. That's on Houston's southwest side and it has been hit very hard. Hope she's okay.


Is Linda aka Hotwheels in the Houston area?

After just getting back from a mission trip to UMCOR the Methodist Committee of Relief, and ironically putting together flood buckets, we get home in time to brace for Harvey. We ended up with heavy rains that lingered for days. As waters kept rising Sunday night, our only way out was on foot,so our plan was to try to make it to our church. Then we received a call from a friend who was our rescue angel. In his truck he drove to the closest point for us to walk to. He met us and took us to his house. What a Godsend. We plan to get to the house today to see if water got in. Our neighbor who stayed next door,has kept us posted. She said water did not get in. That was amazingly God's grace as it was just a few inches from our from door and it rained the entire night. Thanks for all prayers and I hope people around the world have seen all the goodness is everywhere around us. They just want to give coverage to negativity. I am overwhelmed by results of the prayers pouring in.

[Benzi]

Liz, it's wonderful to see you here. Glad you gave us an update on your situation and I do hope your house has no flooding. I've thought so much about all of you and you're all in my prayers.

[UnderstandBlue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazylizard

After just getting back from a mission trip to UMCOR the Methodist Committee of Relief, and ironically putting together flood buckets, we get home in time to brace for Harvey. We ended up with heavy rains that lingered for days. As waters kept rising Sunday night, our only way out was on foot,so our plan was to try to make it to our church. Then we received a call from a friend who was our rescue angel. In his truck he drove to the closest point for us to walk to. He met us and took us to his house. What a Godsend. We plan to get to the house today to see if water got in. Our neighbor who stayed next door,has kept us posted. She said water did not get in. That was amazingly God's grace as it was just a few inches from our from door and it rained the entire night. Thanks for all prayers and I hope people around the world have seen all the goodness is everywhere around us. They just want to give coverage to negativity. I am overwhelmed by results of the prayers pouring in.

That is a miracle Liz - I am so happy you are okay.


FYI Linda /hotwheels is near Dallas, so not affected.

[duranfan]

The situation in Houston is truly mind boggling. They will need our prayers and assistance for months to come. I'm just hoping my basement doesn't flood (we're supposed to get hammered in the next few days) but that is so minor in comparison!

[JBgreendawn]

I keep thinking Paula Laird lives around or in Houston, but geography is iffy for me...

eta: MrsLaird ?? ( I may have mangled her screen name )

[UnderstandBlue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBgreendawn

I keep thinking Paula Laird lives around or in Houston, but geography is iffy for me...

eta: MrsLaird ?? ( I may have mangled her screen name )

She used to but she moved.

[JBgreendawn]

In my head I think of people living in TEXAS (just like that like one big place) so, have you heard from Bev or Jeanne?
( I have no clue what part of the state they may be in)

[Arlene_C]

Bev lives in the Dallas Metro area. I think near DFW airport.
I was born and raised in the North Texas area. Have a daughter in Arlington. Lots of friends in Houston and San Antonio areas. DH and I had planned to spend some time in Galveston after Christmas and into the new year - needless to say, we are changing our plans!

[marymint]

Yes, up here in the Dallas area we are fine. (I'm just N of DFW airport, Bev is a few miles N of me). North TX is taking in refuges (and their pets)...hundreds already, with the possibility of thousands (possibly upwards to 20,000-30,000). I-45 between Houston and Dallas has been closed N of Houston due to flooding so people can't leave yet. Both Houston airports are closed. Liz, my 22 year old niece Brianna is just north of you in Katy, so have been closely watching your area. So thankful you are OK as is your house. Katy had almost 32" of rain (and a tornado) and believe your totals were around that. Katy is straight west of Houston (in Harris County) on I-10 and the outer bands of Harvey kept dumping rain on them. Brianna's apartment complex flooded. She moved to a friend's apartment. That flooded... they ended up at someone's house that thankfully stayed dry. That homeowner took in several families. That's the kind of neighbor helping neighbor that is going on. Every road was flooded out of Katy, thus impassable for anyone to leave Katy. The National Guard, with their heavy, higher profile vehicles were able to get through Katy and go into Houston proper while it was still raining.

FYI, there are two dams on the west side of Houston and a controlled release of water is being done towards Katy and possibly Sugar Land. There is so much water they had to do something.... better that than the dam breaking.

Also,a number of first responders from N TX have gone down to help out. The smaller town I live in sent several firemen/paramedics. Fort Worth sent a large number of police officers. A number of Harris County police/firemen have been working non-stop....wet, no sleep, no change of clothes. Dallas police are taking down supplies for the first responders. (Note, many of the Houston first responders have homes that are flooding and yet, they are out rescuing others. One veteran officer drowned helping others). Many first responders from N TX were staged in areas north of Houston as the storm hit. Their high profile vehicles had to wait for winds to go under 45 mph as higher winds could tip them over. Local shelters up here (and I'm sure Austin and San Antonio too) are receiving LARGE numbers of donations from those living in N TX. The outpouring of care and kindness is touching.

That's a little input from the area. Appreciate your thoughts and prayers! ~ Mary

[purpleflowers]

My brother and his wife live on the northwest side of Houston, just west of I-45, near the Cypress Creek. By Sunday morning, the water in their development was almost at the level as it was last April, when they had the previous round of historic flooding, and they still had days of rain to come. And the water just kept coming. Thankfully their house was another 8 blocks further from the creek and did not flood but blocks and blocks of their neighborhood are underwater. Sadly, that is true in neighborhood after neighborhood. They were/are still basically stranded because the roads (including I-45) around them are under water. My sister-in-law reported this morning that the water is starting to receded in the development and they actually saw sun yesterday. The efforts which will be required to clean up and restore homes, businesses, schools, etc is just unimaginable.

[lazylizard]

We are still waiting for the rivers in the area to crest which by the way, because of the path of this storm has caused swelling of at least 5 rivers near or around Houston. The cresting will just cause additional flooding the areas already so heavily hit.

Continue your prayers, and know those prayers are being answered and God has sent some of the best trained and tireless heroes from all over Texas and other states to our aid.


Texas tough and Texas proud! Liz

[marymint]

The 51.88" of rain was recorded on the north side of Houston (Cedar Bayou). They said it would have been higher, but it stopped recording there. NW and NE Houston were hit hard along with other areas. Kerry, so thankful your family is OK. Thanks for the update about I-45 still being flooded... and that some of the water is receding. I didn't call Brianna Sunday as they had non-stop tornado warnings nearly all day. Sugar Land was also in that warning zone.

Update: both airports in Houston are opening today at 4 PM... with limited flights for those who can actually make it to and from the airports. Southwest is planning to start back up flights on Saturday.


I think it was Monday PM that seven C 130's flew up from the coast to Dallas with elderly, sick, and small children. There are a number of things going on behind the scenes like that. Before the storm hit, they moved the neonatal babies up to Dallas hospitals from the coast. Austin and San Antonio received more of the evacuees from Rockport and that area (where Harvey made landfall at 132 mph). We want to remember those in that area too. And now the areas further east of Houston that are flooding.


It was just made public so I can mention it.... 100 Ft. Worth police offices are on their way to Houston. Their police cars are loaded with supplies and Teddy Bears. Brianna doesn't know this, but one of them has her phone number to check on her. Kerry, they are driving down, so they must think they can get through on I-45. For those outside of TX, it's about a 4 hour drive between Dallas and Houston on I-45.

[Glitter Gypsy]

Liz, so glad you are okay. We moved to the hill country two years ago but lived in Katy the previous 25 years and I remembered you lived in Sugar Land. Everyone in the Houston area is in my prayers.

[UnderstandBlue]

Wanted to share this awesome video from Cypress:

https://www.facebook.com/KPRC2/video...E0&pnref=story

[Rachelrose]

Now there's one time when you're actually glad your neighbor is shredding at level 10!

It's moving to see how people are pulling together. Some of the rescues, just incredible. And not just from official responders, who are doing an awesome job. I saw three men rescue a man from a car that had mistaken a creek for a flooded road, and I'm sure that's going on all over the place.


But there are still people unrescued. I can't get that out of my mind. So many rescued, but so many that needed to be. Overwhelming.

[Benzi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnderstandBlue

Wanted to share this awesome video from Cypress:

https://www.facebook.com/KPRC2/video...E0&pnref=story

That is so awesome...so glad you shared, Lydia.

[purpleflowers]

Sorry - I didn't mean to imply I-45 was still flooded but re-reading what I posted, it does sound like it. When my brother tried to get out earlier this week (maybe Monday?) to try to get tarps to help some people, he had to turn around because they were closing I-45 near his home due to flooding.

The church they attend has over 200 families already signed up for help with cleaning up flooded houses (and that was just hours after they put the link up so I'm sure that number will go up). Thankfully they also had over 800 people volunteer to help. They were meeting this morning at 8 am to go to the first locations where water has already receded. Stuebner Airline Road near the church had only just re-opened (water receded) before their Wednesday night service. Their church had been used as an evacuation location during the flooding last April, but with Harvey the water was too close to the church so the authorities thought it was too risky to try to use it this time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by marymint

The 51.88" of rain was recorded on the north side of Houston (Cedar Bayou). They said it would have been higher, but it stopped recording there. NW and NE Houston were hit hard along with other areas. Kerry, so thankful your family is OK. Thanks for the update about I-45 still being flooded... and that some of the water is receding. I didn't call Brianna Sunday as they had non-stop tornado warnings nearly all day. Sugar Land was also in that warning zone.

Update: both airports in Houston are opening today at 4 PM... with limited flights for those who can actually make it to and from the airports. Southwest is planning to start back up flights on Saturday.


I think it was Monday PM that seven C 130's flew up from the coast to Dallas with elderly, sick, and small children. There are a number of things going on behind the scenes like that. Before the storm hit, they moved the neonatal babies up to Dallas hospitals from the coast. Austin and San Antonio received more of the evacuees from Rockport and that area (where Harvey made landfall at 132 mph). We want to remember those in that area too. And now the areas further east of Houston that are flooding.


It was just made public so I can mention it.... 100 Ft. Worth police offices are on their way to Houston. Their police cars are loaded with supplies and Teddy Bears. Brianna doesn't know this, but one of them has her phone number to check on her. Kerry, they are driving down, so they must think they can get through on I-45. For those outside of TX, it's about a 4 hour drive between Dallas and Houston on I-45.

[Benzi]

Kerry, that is so wonderful that the church has so many volunteers. People helping others is so awesome to see and we're seeing plenty of that in the great state of Texas. I sure hope your brother is not in any danger.

[TexasGrammy]

I simply have no appropriate words for those thousands & thousands of people affected by Harvey & the ensuing flooding. I'm 25 minutes N of the DFW Airport, so have been sadly watching this unfold from the comfortable surroundings of home.

Evacuees are beginning to arrive for temporary sheltering at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas ... but is not nearly filled to prepared expectancy as of this morning. Literally 'getting out' of the flooded areas is a serious issue ... logistics are still difficult depending on routes needed.

One of DD's bridesmaids has lost their home of just 8 days, and another is still able to be at home with her young family, although the kids are feeling the effects of this tragedy all around. Parents cannot go to work, "work" locations will also need rebuilding along with homes, schools are closed, food, groceries, everything is affected even if they aren't flooded out.

Unspeakable trauma & hardships for so so many people. My heart aches for all.

[purpleflowers]

Thanks - he is out of danger, at least from the storm. He's a worker, so I know he will be out there helping others, sometimes pushing it to the point where it is unhealthy. I pray for his safety and for the safety of all those involved in the continued rescues as well as clean up efforts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benzi

Kerry, that is so wonderful that the church has so many volunteers. People helping others is so awesome to see and we're seeing plenty of that in the great state of Texas. I sure hope your brother is not in any danger.