I’d planned to post about writing today, but Hurricane Harvey hitting South Texas last Friday has changed things. I live in Fort Worth, Texas, way north of the coast, so I and my family are not in harm’s way. I’m grateful, but mindful of the extreme situation in which many Texans are existing.
The small town of Rockport on the coast, one we’ve visited a couple of times, was flattened by the Hurricane itself. Victoria has been without water, electricity, gas and food for days. Lots of empty shelves in stores. Harvey came on land just north of Corpus Christi, which I believe got electricity restored on Sunday. One of the good stories.
But poor Houston and the larger Houston area. Houston is used to floods. It’s flat. A little rain and Houston floods. But what’s going on there and has been since last Friday, August 25 is apocalyptic. No one has ever seen anything like it. 
Many rescues. Still more to come. Water up to and over the second floor of houses. When the advice is to stay in your house and only call if there’s an emergency, most of us would assume water getting in is an emergency. That’s not the case this time.
When you hear a water plant is submerged…well, that’s hard to imagine.
People were rescued from houses with water up to their chest. I’ve heard stories of people wading through waist high and higher for hours trying to get higher ground. Carrying their babies, children, and dogs. People were advised to not go in their attics because they couldn’t be rescued from there. But my stars if your second floor is beginning to flood…
Unfortunately, the rain continues and two reservoirs had to have controlled release, which impacts already flooded areas and areas that hadn’t flooded yet. They could have as much as 50 inches, which is more than Houston gets in a year!
The loss and trauma from this storm is hard to fathom and will last for months and probably years.
This reporter is standing on a bridge where water is normally 10 feet below!
However, wonderful things come about when disasters happen. People helping others regardless of color of skin, religion, sexual orientation. The best of America rises in these situations. The country comes together.
Governors of other states have sent rescue workers, boats, and even cots.
What can we do? Pray and send money to the American Red Cross. Here’s the link.
https://www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-harvey
As writers what can we do? Write stories honoring the heroism of people in these tragedies. The second book in my Second Chances Series, ACT OF TRUST, honors those who lost loved ones on 9/11. I imagine I’ll write one about Harvey, but not now, not until people have come through this terrible time.
I remember hearing a famous writer at an RWA conference (and no I can’t remember her name!), tell about her family’s experience of floods in South Texas and how the romance books in the Walmart where they went to buy tooth-paste and underwear brought her mother and her comfort. In the darkest times, we need to have faith in happily ever afters, and we can provide those.
Have you experienced a disaster? What helped you get through? 
Word by Word 
It’s a tragedy. I don’t know how people recovery from something like this, but I’m watching all the heroes rescue their neighbors and lend a helping hand. So glad you’re safe, Marsha.
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Hey, Marian. I just got home from a church meeting where we discussed what we could do to help. I feel better, but still the pictures and now it’s spread to Port Arthor and Beaumont and Louisianna! It just goes on and on. Thanks for commenting.
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Hi Marsha, I’ve been following the news from way up north in Canada. Each day, more devestation and also more heroic efforts. I’ve donated to the Canadian Red Cross.
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Hey, Joanne. Thanks so much for your donation. These kinds of things bring everyone together. Lines, be they country boundaries or faith, gender issues, or color of skin seem to fade away in a tragedy. Kind of like y’all’s fires. Weird, huh, opposite forces.
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It’s so sad. I remember my husband’s family in Charleston when Hurricane Hugo hit. It was so devastating but due to amazing and generous people, the entire area was able to rebuild and is stronger than ever. Praying madly for all those in Houston.
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Hey, Sharon. The rebirth stories that come out of these disasters are so inspiring. Thanks for your prayers. Remember to include the rest of the Texas and Louisiana coast. Can’t believe Harvey made a second landfall!
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Marsha, very appropriate post. There’s little on people’s minds right now and Harvey has made landfall in Louisiana. This will be a long term recovery. I was advised yesterday I’m deployed in a specialty position of help with evacuations. I’m sure I’ll be posting about that when I get back. No writing for a while.
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Tons of positive energy winging your way, my friend! Blessings on you and your team and all the others able to help! Take care 🙂 ❤
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We’ll be thinking of you, be safe!
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Hey, McKenna. Thanks for what you do. Thank you, thank you. The needs are enormous. You probably know better than most of us. Keep in touch if you end up helping in Fort Worth. I promise you a good meal. (Perhaps not home cooked, LOL But a good meal.)
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So glad you’re north and safe from this horrible situation. Disasters bring us all down to earth by reminding us we’re all human, all subject to the same horrors in spite of what we perceive as our differences.
I teach Emergency Preparedness because I believe that being prepared, even just a little bit, can make a difference in how a person or family come out the other end of a disaster situation.
My heart goes out to all those affected, and I hope they will one day be able to see this as a new beginning in their lives, and appreciate those on the ground helping, as well as thousands of people around the world wishing them well and cheering them on.
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Hey, Kathryn. After 9/11, we put together a go-bag. But as time went on and thankfully, we didn’t get hit again, the bag became less important. Periodically, I’ll put together stuff (like medicines) in a separate bag, then I’ll forget until the next tornado. We take so much for granted.
Our church is putting together Hygiene Kits. We’re talking basic. Hand towel, wash rag, tooth brush, soap, comb, band aids, and clippers. As I said, very basic, and yet it you have nothing, that will be important. Thanks for what you do, Kathryn.
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Hi, Marsha! This hurricane has been so devastating in that it sat over Houston for days before lifting yesterday. People went outside just to see the sun. I’m so happy over how Texas has responded.
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Hey, Vicki. Yes, it is the proverbial silver lining. For the most part, people step up. I hope Harvey won’t impact Handsome’s treatments. Thanks for stopping by.
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I’m glad you and your family are safe, Marsha. The devastation is enormous, but then so are the hearts of Texans! I’ve seen so many heroic citizens doing what they can to help those who need it the most, seniors and children, the animals and so many more.
It’s horrible when something like this happens, but it’s also uplifting.
Maybe there’s hope for humans yet. 🙂
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Hey, Jacquie. Yes, I agree. There is hope for humankind. Wish it didn’t have to take a tragedy to bring out our better selves. Thanks for commenting.
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Reblogged this on Jeannie Hall Suspense.
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Thanks, Jeannie. 🙂
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The response from Hurricane Harvey has been devastating. I have friends and family in Texas. One set of friends in Corpus Christi haven’t had electricity for five days now. I just can’t imagine. We lived in Houston, Texas for four years. During that time, there was a hurricane. But we never had flooding like this.
My heart goes out to the victims. They need our prayers and donations.
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Hey, Susan. I always forget you lived down there. The pictures probably have more meaning for you than some others. Your poor friends, and all in South Texas. You are right. Prayers and Donations. And probably for a loooooong time. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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