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Post by commeunetexane on Aug 27, 2017 21:16:10 GMT
Just a little note to let everyone know that we are okay. The coast of Texas was hit very hard. I have friends in Houston keeping us posted on the situation there. Fortunately everyone I know is currently okay. Central Texas, where I live, was not as strongly affected by the hurricane and subsequent storm as the coast. We are having some flooding where I live, and more is rain predicted for the next five days as the remnants of the storm continue to rage, but we are not directly in danger. We've had 25 cm of rain so far and it is still coming. We also have emergency supplies on hand and are prepared should we lose power. As for now, though, we are not in any danger. Houston, Corpus Christi, and the smaller towns along the coast, however, are a disaster area, thoughts and prayers for the emergency crews and people dealing with the rising floodwaters there. www.chron.com/
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Post by Lento on Aug 28, 2017 0:23:06 GMT
I'm glad you are okay, stay safe.
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Post by siri on Aug 28, 2017 6:11:27 GMT
Thank you, Rachel for letting us know. All the best for you and your family!
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Post by sitesurf on Aug 28, 2017 7:33:32 GMT
The media coverage has been huge here and I have thought about you and your family all weekend. Relieved to hear nothing too serious can happen to you and you can cope with possible issues. Très amicalement à toi.
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Post by francevw on Aug 28, 2017 8:47:23 GMT
Happy to hear that you are not too impacted by this hurricane in your town! Did they close the schools in your area? This "Harvey" seems to be as violent as Katrina. Stay safe at home!
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Post by JoThelan on Aug 28, 2017 17:44:33 GMT
Glad to hear that you and yours are safe! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Post by Camden Ferguson on Aug 28, 2017 20:18:30 GMT
We are all wishing for your safety in this tough time. Stay strong, Rachel! Well, I don't NEED to say that. We all know that you are a very strong woman anyway. <3
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Post by commeunetexane on Aug 29, 2017 5:10:49 GMT
Your concern and kind words are touching. Thank you. Really we are doing just fine and life is continuing normally here. The storm made a u-turn and went back toward Houston (Poor Houstonians!) Some school districts in and around Austin were canceled today. The school district that we're in was delayed by two hours as a precaution. We did not personally suffer any damage or harm. Some streets are still closed in Austin, but most are open.
My cousin who lives in Houston posted some pretty astounding videos of the flooding near him. It is as high as the traffic signals and the water has completely covered a gas station! It seems that they are making the best of it they can there and that neighbors are helping each other out as would be expected. The news I am receiving from friends and family is that they are okay, cautious but in good humor, most have stable electricity, and that it is going to take time to clean up and make repairs. Unfortunately the rain has not let up so the situation is still quite dangerous there.
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Post by siri on Aug 29, 2017 5:32:17 GMT
Rachel, we had extensive reporting in the media. The flooding is really immense! Very movable pictures about it, I was so much impressed by old people in a nursey home, sitting in their wheelchairs, but with the water above their waists, or children staying safe on the kitchen sideboard. Awful pictures in the streets, and the rain will not stop! There are grandiose volunteers!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2017 12:20:44 GMT
Heureuse de savoir que tu vas bien ainsi que ta famille. Des pensées de soutien pour les sinistrés et les équipes de secours. Notre planète n'est pas toujours cool et sage. Prends soin de toi et ta famille. Bises.
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Post by commeunetexane on Aug 30, 2017 15:56:26 GMT
Yes I saw the pictures of the elderly in a retirement home up their their waists in water and was horrified that they were not evacuated sooner. Surely we can do better by the most vulnerable in society. However, I have seen a lot of the very best of humanity has to offer as well and am cheered by that. My friends and cousins in Houston have also shared some very positive stories in the midst of the disaster. They are telling me that neighbors are coming together and that political, religious, ideological, and racial differences do not matter right now. Everyone is pitching in to help as TEXANS.
Crews of volunteers from other cities are going to help this weekend.
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Post by siri on Aug 30, 2017 17:25:31 GMT
Yes Rachel, we saw in the news the huge helpfullness! In such a situation people stand together and know what is most important! Thinking of you!
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Post by commeunetexane on Aug 31, 2017 0:59:10 GMT
With my friend's permission I will share what he wrote:
Thanks everyone that checked on us, Rita and I are basically out of the weeds. Some updates:
1. We have power and more importantly AC
2. We did not flood but the buildings roof did spring some leaks in the stairwell. Also some first floor apartments got wet (weepholes were inundated I noticed on a walk because the soil next to them was beyond waterlogged, probably for 4 days )
3. For people wanting to visit us (looking at you Mom). The roads situation is pretty dynamic and there is still some water shifting around today. Parts of the city are still in rescue mode. Also the hotels are all booked or under water.
4. There was some chemical release with all the flooding and the shutdown of refineries (rapid shutdown emits some chemical) suboptimal and we had a weird smell the first day but kept the windows closed. I'm assuming we are fine but expect some more flair ups as they go back online.
5. We are near a major shelter, which is good because Rita (note: she's a nurse) can help while I watch the boy. But this means we have GOBS of police downtown now. We feel safe.
6. Grocery stores have been rushing to open, restaurants are trying but downtown was a bit of an island, so getting staff is hard. Slowly things will get back to normal.
7. Finally, people are asking if we are leaving for awhile/moving. I think we are anxious to get back to normal as soon as possible and look forward to James going back to school Monday. Also, I'm stunned at the amount of help and stupendous badassery I've observed in Houston. No matter if they were Democrat or Republican or Good Ole Boy or Urban Hipster I saw the best out of all of them. Never loved my state or city more. So for now we have no plans on leaving, a lot of it will depend on what happens to housing costs and work opportunities for Rita, but in spite of this horribly exhausting week I am deeply impressed with Houston's resilience.
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Post by Buruboro on Aug 31, 2017 4:53:42 GMT
Glad to hear you're safe, it looks intense over there! I'm wishing you well in this difficult time.
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Post by siri on Aug 31, 2017 9:11:53 GMT
Thank you, Rachel!
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