I guess that is the fun of a "snow day" (Hurricane day?).

I'd like to think so! We have a very cool little bar/restaurant down the street called, well, Down The Street. Running specials on that very drink.

Raining. Again. Hard. Water rising a bit. We ordered a bunch of those self-inflatable sandbags from Amazon Prime. Hey, one day delivery. I'm counting on it.

I am reminded of the Winnie The Pooh chapter called 'Surrounded By Water' which described Piglet's dilemma of watching the flood waters rise. He sent a message in a bottle saying 'Help' and moved to a high branch in a tree. He felt comfort in knowing that he had done all he could to save himself. Us too. I am pretty sure that nothing can happen that some money can't fix so we are good. I think it was J. Paul Getty that said 'If you can write a check to fix it, it's not a problem, it's an expense'.

Much better off than many here in town.

 

Nothing but rain here, That and one pesky Mosquitoe that seem to ne determined to feast on me.

 

While devastating for the people of Houston, can you imagine of there was some kind of national disaster of this magnitude? I don't know what we would do. Is anyone a "prepper"? I have some water and some canned food stored away but that is it. I have been procrastinating on increasing my food and water storage.

I would like to install a water tank outside somewhere but worried about freezing in the winter. Also need to look at converting my gas fireplace back to wood. Or at least be able to switch it out.

 

@strantor A buddy of mine who follows this sort of stuff sent me this. May be of some use to your friend.

"Texas Leg passed HB1774 this session and it goes into effect Sept 1. People with flood damage to their property due to Harvey should know about HB 1774 because it limits the rights and remedies available to property owners under the Texas Insurance Code. The new law specifically applies to property damage claims involving 'forces of nature' such as floods and removes penalties for insurance companies who pay too little or too late.If you were were affected by the flood or know someone who is: to fall under current laws, which are more favorable to consumers and property owners, policyholders should send notice in writing to the insurance company that (1) specifically references their claim AND (2) is dated before Sept. 1 2017. It must be written, email or snail mail (I would do both). Oral notification is insufficient."

Also this:
http://kxan.com/2017/08/27/texans-impacted-by-harvey-can-start-registering-for-fema-assistance/

Good luck.

 

While devastating for the people of Houston, can you imagine of there was some kind of national disaster of this magnitude? I don't know what we would do. Is anyone a "prepper"? I have some water and some canned food stored away but that is it. I have been procrastinating on increasing my food and water storage.

I would like to install a water tank outside somewhere but worried about freezing in the winter. Also need to look at converting my gas fireplace back to wood. Or at least be able to switch it out.

I can validate the prepper's seemingly hyperbolic assertion that a national disaster would lead to a run on the stores and instant scarcity of life supporting goods.

When I lived in the city I was very nervous. I had the pepper mentality and felt trapped by the city. I had water and food stored up but it felt like not enough. I wanted, needed, to get somewhere in the country, where I could create a sustainable food source (crops, livestock, etc.) And be outside the potential hotbed of disaster induced strife. Now that I'm here I feel much less stress about it. So much less in fact, that I lost motivation to create that sustainable food source. I need to get back on the wagon. I feel safe from hordes of starving looters but i could only ride out probably a month of disaster in my current situation.

 

Is anyone a "prepper"?

Not me, although I know some. And I have a couple boxes of 12 ga. shells.

I have a somewhat fatalistic attitude about such things. It's so unlikely that I can't justify the bother, and IF it happens I know I'll have to rely on my own wits and skills. Sink or swim. That suits my nature. So many folks I know have no confidence in themselves and feel nearly helpless day-to-day. So for them, prepping makes them feel better and is maybe worth the trouble just for that piece of mind.

 

@strantor A buddy of mine who follows this sort of stuff sent me this. May be of some use to your friend.

"Texas Leg passed HB1774 this session and it goes into effect Sept 1. People with flood damage to their property due to Harvey should know about HB 1774 because it limits the rights and remedies available to property owners under the Texas Insurance Code. The new law specifically applies to property damage claims involving 'forces of nature' such as floods and removes penalties for insurance companies who pay too little or too late.If you were were affected by the flood or know someone who is: to fall under current laws, which are more favorable to consumers and property owners, policyholders should send notice in writing to the insurance company that (1) specifically references their claim AND (2) is dated before Sept. 1 2017. It must be written, email or snail mail (I would do both). Oral notification is insufficient."

Also this:
http://kxan.com/2017/08/27/texans-impacted-by-harvey-can-start-registering-for-fema-assistance/

Good luck.

Thanks I passed it along to him.

 

Really!
http://www.fox13news.com/weather/276179466-story

 

I can validate the prepper's seemingly hyperbolic assertion that a national disaster would lead to a run on the stores and instant scarcity of life supporting goods.

We saw that too. Especially water.

Thanks to my wife's initiative and Harris County info, we were pretty good to go. We have always had a 'go' bag to grab when its time to move fast like a tornado. ID, meds, change of clothes, some cash etc. Moving to Houston we were rookies again so took the advice of locals and the county info and added a few things to the go bag. We also keep a few gallons of water on hand at all times, some quick to cook food etc. When Harvey was firing up I got the propane stove and lantern down and moved some expensive stuff up off the bottom floor. We also filled the tubs for things like toilet flushing. The day before the storm, I smoked a bunch of ribs etc. and we stored ice from the fridge in an ice chest. It turns out, every one of those precautions was useful or nearly so. People close to us lost city water, lots lost power. We came within an inch or so of taking water. As I watched it rise and listened to the many tornado warnings for our area, I was glad we had what we did and will add a few things for next time. The main thing we confirmed is that you don't have time to get things together after the event started. What you have prepped is what you'll take to the party. If you get hit by a tornado, everything you own could be suddenly reduced to what's in your go bag.

We do have a couple of guns available but everyone I came into contact with or saw on TV was asking if anyone needed help, a can of food, gas, offers to put up those flooded out and the like.

@nsaspook That's pretty funny. They do love their Texans here.

 

We do have a couple of guns available but everyone I came into contact with or saw on TV was asking if anyone needed help, a can of food, gas, offers to put up those flooded out and the like.

Yes I am very proud of our neighborly altruism. The Cajun Navy too. I am not sure how long it would continue though if it were prolonged, and I don't really want to think about it either.

 

Really!
http://www.fox13news.com/weather/276179466-story

THAT is conviction!

 

Texas will get through this because it is simply their nature. While on the field in sports there is always a rivalry but these are people who stick together, know their neighbors and are always real quick to help a neighbor in need. They also tend to view a "neighbor": as anyone else living in the state. Anyone with a boat has become part of the rescue effort. People from every walk of life are offering whatever they have to help not just immediate family but their neighbors statewide and Texas is one big state.

Ron

 

Why being on the road during a 'evacuation' can be more dangerous than staying in place.
http://www.khou.com/weather/harvey/...hile-trying-to-escape-harvey-floods/468579903

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-t...ta-anxiety-leads-to-hellish-fatal-6521994.php

In the Houston area, the muddled flight from the city killed almost as many people as Rita did. an estimated 2.5 million people hit the road ahead of the storm’s arrival, creating some of the most insane gridlock in U.S. history. More than 100 evacuees died in the exodus. Drivers waited in traffic for 20-plus hours, and heat stroke impaired or killed dozens. Fights broke out on the highway. A bus carrying nursing home evacuees caught fire, and 24 died.

Imagine all these people on flooded roads.

 

Took this picture of my house a couple of hours ago and it's rained 3+" since then. I'm still sticking to my theory that it's not physically possible for us to flood, but I will admit I am getting a bit nervous. I've been out surveying my property like 4 times in the rain this evening. I thought we had made it through the worst unscathed but we are filling up like a lake here. Several people from my town have posted flooded house pictures in the past couple hours.

 

How is it possible for one storm to drop so much rain?

Looks like no relief until Saturday! A whole week of rain. Looks like things at least slow down on Thursday

 

Took this picture of my house a couple of hours ago and it's rained 3+" since then. I'm still sticking to my theory that it's not physically possible for us to flood, but I will admit I am getting a bit nervous. I've been out surveying my property like 4 times in the rain this evening. I thought we had made it through the worst unscathed but we are filling up like a lake here. Several people from my town have posted flooded house pictures in the past couple hours.

You guys will survive the flood and rebuild if needed. 20+ years ago we had our last 'big one' here.

 

@strantor Yikes! Hope you are not downstream of any reservoirs that are getting released to prevent overflow. Friends in Katy just got the evac order this PM due to Barker reservoir release. Another friend north of here same deal with another lake. Barker dumps into Buffalo Bayou which is already out of it's banks again and runs through downtown. We're not technically in its watershed but at this point, who knows.

Don't know if I posted this link before but good info on rainfall totals and channel status.
https://www.harriscountyfws.org/?View=full
Something new at any rate is the rain gauge and channel level transmitter at I-10 and Heights marked as OutOfService OOS. That's because it along with much of my kid's front yard, fences and trees went sailing down the ol' bayou yesterday. According to the chart, the water level went from top of bank - 32 feet deep - to sensor failing 90 min later at 10 feet higher. Based on the waterline in kid's house, it crested higher than that.

Good luck, man.

@nsaspook re: Rita. That's exactly why we stayed put for Harvey. Thanks.

 

https://www.duffelblog.com/2017/08/navy-destroyer-collides-with-building-in-downtown-houston/

 

https://www.duffelblog.com/2017/08/navy-destroyer-collides-with-building-in-downtown-houston/

Really, you can't make this stuff up.

Hope you guys are still doing OK down there and keep us updated.

Ron

 

Really, you can't make this stuff up.

Ron

No, I'm pretty sure they did make that stuff up.