Rescuers have traveled to Harvey affected areas from far away. They probably never realized the tremendous impact their help has made. What happened to folks before they arrived. How very appreciative they were when the rescuers did.
A friend lives in Wharton, Texas, which is south by southwest of Houston, and very much in Harvey's path. C posted over days, keeping us updated. Notice the short posts. Notice the emotion. Notice the dilemma she faced. Notice her focus-wanting to leave but choosing to stay, asking prayer for others.
8/30 4:09 PM C: Neighborhood (see pic)
8/30 5:46 pm C: Front yard (see pic)
(A friend responded) Are you going to leave?
C: No.
8/30 6:21 pm C: water coming through back door.
8/30 6:38 pm C: water coming through front door.
8/30 9:02 pm C: ankle deep in our living room. We are the only ones in our neighborhood
(A friend responded) Call 911 if you need to evacuate.
C: Can't get mom to leave
8/30 10:37pm C: I'm charging my phone while there is power
(Friend respond) Do you have a place where you can stay on higher ground?
C: Mom won't leave.
(Another friend) Stay as high as you can with a flashlight and bottled water)
C: there is no high place
8/31 12:31 am C: Someone is driving a boat extremely fast through my neighborhood!
8/31 6:53 am C: The flooding is due to a broken levee
8/31 9:02 am C: Mom and I made it through the night. Power is on. My cell phone is out. The water seems to be receding. Thank you for praying!
8/31 10:16 am C: Mom can receive calls on her cell. She can't call out.
8/31 11:01 am C: A large military vehicle is in the neighborhood.
(A friend responded) Doing What?
C: Picked up neighbors
8/31 3:03 pm C: Please pray! There is someone "playing" in the flood waters on Richmond Road in his jacked up truck!
8/31 3:24 pm C: Avalon, nursing home where my grandmother lives is evacuating to Galveston. Prayers appreciated!
(Responses from many) Praying
C: As you are praying, pray for her salvation
8/31 4:01 pm C: Backdoor view (she showed a pic of water rising in her house at her back door
8/31 4:03 pm C: Kitchen view (she showed a pic of her kitchen flooding.
8/31 6:18 pm C: WE ARE EVACUATING!
8/31 8:01 pm C: We are at the Love's gas station waiting for a ride from the Red Cross
8/31: C: One of our bags got lost in transit. Please pray it's returned. Has important papers. Thank you.
8/31: We are at the Super 8
8:31: 11:47pm C: It took the National Guard to convince Mom to leave. A levee had broken
(A friend responded) I know you did what you had to.
C: Thanks for praying.
9/1: C: The bag was delivered this morning.
9/1: C: Our National Guard is AMAZING! Please pray for them and their families. Our Red Cross driver, Barry, went above and beyond the call of duty!
(note: she is referring to the New Jersey national guard)
9/2: C's friend: I'm so sad. I literally just sent you the book you won and I don't think it will get to you. Sorry.
C: The mail will get through eventually
I messaged C asking, when she had a moment to tell me anything more. She said, "The National Guard that helps us were from New Jersey." That was all the more she could say. In her circumstances...I can understand.
Last I wanted to credit those NJ who are paying back a nation who helped them during hurricane Sandy by helping my friend and others. This is what we do. Help each other.
Gov. Chris Christie said Monday that NJ Task Force 1 has been activated as members of the National Urban Search & Rescue Response System and will be deploying to Texas to assist with the rescue and recovery efforts resulting from the unprecedented and catastrophic flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey.
“As Americans, we come together during times of crisis and today New Jersey’s heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the people of Texas at this very difficult time,” said Christie in a statement Monday. “During Superstorm Sandy, emergency and law enforcement response contingents from around the country came to our aid. New Jersey stands ready to assist Texas with their search and rescue response to the destruction and devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey and the recovery process begins.” Press of Atlantic City.com
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