I am not only a misplaced Texan, I am a misplaced Houstonian and my heart is breaking right now. After wreaking havoc on Rockport, Texas and its surrounding area as a category 4 hurricane, Harvey was downgraded to a category 3, then a category 2, then a category 1 hurricane. That, however, did not mean the end of danger. In fact, it was just the beginning.
Hurricane Harvey is now Tropical Storm Harvey. Now, there are some idiots who, looking for quick click bait no doubt, mocked what was happening by saying that after meeting with Texas, Harvey “submitted” and was downgraded.
Idiots.
A humongous, slow-moving tropical storm that is filled with massive amounts of rain can be more devastating and cause far more destruction than a category 1 hurricane. Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 formed 80 miles off the coast of Galveston at around 8 am in the morning. I remember. I was there. It was a huge and slow moving system filled with rain that passed over the city of Houston, then doubled back and passed over it again in the opposite direction.
This resulted in massive flooding to the point where freeways were completely under water. The pictures were breathtaking but in a bad way.
This is worse.
I have spent all day feeling helpless and worrying about my friends and family as I streamed the local Houston news coverage of now Tropical Storm Harry. The images of the decimation of my hometown from the storm are simply unreal.
Here are 10 of the most horrific sights of what Houston is experiencing right now. The scariest part is…it’s not over. The rain is expected to continue for the next three or more days.
This post from the “I am a Texan” Facebook page shows the complete apocalypse in Houston right in less than 48 hours.
KHOU, the local CBS affiliate, had to evacuate their building after raging water began flooding their studios and offices. Reporter Blake Matthews made a plea to God to help them on his Twitter post of video footage of the flooding.
UPDATE: Water has risen a foot in 15 min. I'm one of the last in the building. God help us. @FoxNews @CNN @weatherchannel @GaughanSurfing pic.twitter.com/ZyGQlrprDh
— Blake Mathews (@KHOUBlake11) August 27, 2017
Here is a snapshot of Buffalo Bayou in Houston before and after the flooding. Keep in mind, the rain is not over.
Unbelievable Before & After of the flooding on Buffalo Bayou in #Houston from #Harvey. (Via streetreporter on Youtube) pic.twitter.com/a6FXIh0rtq
— Matt Reagan (@ReaganMatt) August 27, 2017
Southeast Houston is experiencing a 500-year flood. Here is footage of people on motorized boats rescuing people in Friendswood, a suburb in Southeast Houston.
Neighborhoods underwater in Friendswood, SE of Houston. Locals and police/fire have rescued hundreds of people and pets. pic.twitter.com/nHFFqs351o
— Jacob Rascon (@KPRC2Jacob) August 27, 2017
Dear God.
https://twitter.com/gearmeister/status/901912952118415360
For those anti-masculine-types, this may trigger you. Thanks to this strong man, a woman and her baby were brought to safety.
Remember this the next time self-righteous women talk about "toxic masculinity". Thank you brave heroes of #Houston and God bless our troops pic.twitter.com/klqXuzy3sS
— @RealWendyBelle (@RealWendyBelle) August 27, 2017
Indeed, this is Houston at its finest. John Griggs uses his kayak to get 22 people to safety. #TexasStrong #HoustonStrong
This is #Houston at its finest. John Griggs kayaked & helped 22 people to drier ground. 👏🏻 #HoustonStrong #ABC13 #Harvey #Texas pic.twitter.com/jZxdonIqO1
— Steve Campion (@SteveCampion_) August 27, 2017
Texas Senator Ted Cruz was born and raised in Houston. It’s also where he still lives when not in DC.
On @FoxNews:#Houston has high number of citizens needing rescued. I asked @FEMA for flat bottomed boats, high water trucks & helicopters. pic.twitter.com/eBGNUTrKvW
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) August 27, 2017
Highway 288 in Houston, the road that leads to Pearland, is under six to ten feet of water.
Avoid 288. Both directions are … under 6-10 feet under water. #khou11 #Harvey #houston pic.twitter.com/lJkY6JMnNS
— Brooks Garner (@BrooksKHOU) August 27, 2017
THIS is Texas. A local businessman uses a specialized vehicle to get people in his community to safety.
Another private citizen/biz owner using vehicle to rescue flood victims. Trailer full with elderly folks and animals #harvey #khou11 pic.twitter.com/3vMwuoKHAC
— Jason Miles (@JMilesKHOU) August 27, 2017
This is not a planned waterfall. It is a sinkhole near City Center in Houston.
This is Boheme road overpass – the railing seems to have broken under pressure, spilling water onto Beltway 8! @KHOU #WestHouston #Memorial pic.twitter.com/JjEsQ5nPS0
— Rekha Muddaraj (@RekhaKHOU) August 27, 2017
Dear Lord God Almighty, I pray that you watch over my home city of Houston. I pray that the rain will subside soon and the waters recede. I pray for the safety and security, both physically and mentally, of everyone in the greater Houston area.
You can take the girl out of Texas but you can’t take Texas out of the girl. My heart is breaking.
God bless Texas.