The storm passed and from what I can tell from my Internet browsing Southeast Texas is a mess. If you don't want to get your blood pressure up do not look at the pictures. Thankfully our family and friends are safe. Unfortunately, the storm wasn't gentle on property. The family in Bmt had some serious roof damage and fallen trees and torn up yards and car damage. They will be out of power for several weeks.
Jason and Karen's family homes in Channelview fared o.k. but they can't get back to Galveston to check on their house yet. Correction on my last blog - Jason's fishing cabin is on the West end of the island. They live on the East end. Still, not looking good for either locations. Here's hoping they didn't get water in their house. Who knows when they will be able to get back to find out.
So that is that. Nature is powerful. It is unbelievable how much damage some wind and water can do. I have read some blogs where people are critical of those who stayed behind. Some are saying our tax payer dollars should not help to rescue those people. Well, I think it was silly to stay behind, but I don't want anyone to suffer and die either. That's not humane, it's not Christian, it's not ethical. So for the record, I am o.k. with helping people who made a mistake. I'm not thrilled about the money and time and effort it takes, but I can also empathize that people want to stay with their property, don't have the means to leave, don't have anywhere to go or just underestimated how serious this storm would be.
That's why we established institutions like police, EMS, fire, national guard, FEMA and other organizations to help everyone recover swiftly and safely when disaster strikes. There is no way to avoid some rescues and damage and crisis. The point is to take care of it effectively so as not to prolong human suffering.
For those who say, why do so many people live near the coast where a hurricane like this can strike, um hello, our economy depends on it. If you put gas in your car you need all those people living in the Houston and Beaumont area to refine your oil. And if you've ever been on vacation to the beach, well did you sleep in a tent on the sand? No you stayed in a hotel and shopped at cute shops and went to a nice dinner. People live in these areas to make money and enjoy all the great recreation and beauty afforded at the coast.
Even though disasters happen, that doesn't mean we should clear the coastline of human activity for 50 miles inland around the nation. We all depend on and enjoy the economies and activity in coastal towns.
It is unfortunate that hurricanes can bring so much devastation. But tornadoes strike Kansas and blizzards hit Colorado and earthquakes rock California. Shit happens.
Bottom line is I feel for everyone dealing with this situation tonight and the rest of the week and the coming weeks and months. All those people right now who are trying to sleep in their dark homes. People whose houses may be damaged. People feeling vulnerable, looking out the window at an eerily dark street with branches and power lines and debris strewn on the ground. People listening to the sound of a whirring generator that is keeping the fan running or the refrigerator cool or the TV on for comfort. People thinking about how long the gas will last, or when the grocery store will open, or when the water will recede or how long it will take before they can patch the roof or the work they will do at sunrise to clear the yard. Or worse, people sitting in a shelter waiting to asses the damage. Knowing it may be days before they might discover their house isn't there anymore at all. It must be a jarring and scary place to be right now, in the aftermath.
Like I said, don't look at the pictures. They will freak you out.
Anyway, enough of that ranting, I promise to get back to regular programming ASAP. Stay tuned for more pictures and stories from the island of Grenada.
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