Lily Pad Safe Havens in Houston

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One Houston resident who left her home shortly after the storm hit said, "A drizzle can cause a flood here in Houston."

This is possibly why so many residents didn't leave. They'd lived through many floods, but never one like this.

The National Weather Service had to add a new color to charts indicating a higher level of rain fall. White has been added for 24+ inches.

Much of the Houston area is colored with this new 24+ inch color.

Photo by Mary Vee

Houston's Mayor Turner stated: "I don't care if there is no food or water there, I just need a safe place for people to go.

He asked libraries, multi-service centers, any facility to offer a lily pad haven for people who cannot flee the city.

The people need more than a lily pad.

Conflicting information funneling in downpours to the residents of Houston made decision making processes difficult. One British woman said, "Had I know this much water would rise I would have never risked the safety of my children."  

Another woman said, "I thought it would be just a drizzle." With the storms Houstonians are accustomed to, this thinking is not unheard of. 

Disaster warnings are getting better, but understanding the severity may not be. When was the last time the local siren was ignored. In my area the siren is for tornado. In Hawaii the siren is for Tsunami. These sirens are in every state, ready to warn the people of coming disaster/danger. But how do we know when one is more than we are used to experiencing?

Along this same line there is a church in every community. A place not only of worship but a place to inform people. To let them know of what was, what is, and what is to come. One warning is strongly sounded, Jesus will come back. There will be a time when it is too late to believe in the One who has provided a way of escape. 

There will be no lily pad. No 9-1-1. 

Consider speaking with your local church. They are there to answer your questions.