Harvey

We've got relatives in Beaumont and Conroe. I've got good friends in Houston proper and in Alvin. All of them have been impacted by this storm. They are pumping sump pumps, have their cars full of gas and ready to leave at a moments notice. My in-laws in Beaumont have 2 generators and have been pumping their pool out because after 18" of rain over night it has overflowed. My friends have spotty internet and power outages. They said last night was one of the worst storms with thunder and lightning and pouring rain that they have ever experienced. 

I hope against hope that the agencies involved in disaster relief will have enough funding and outreach to be able to cope. Will the president, who signed disaster paperwork on Friday, let the funds loose to help people who will have medical problems due to the flooding.

When the waters recede, it's not going to be possible to live in those homes without tearing everything out down to the studs, if that. I am sure that there will be a lot of jobs for the building trades, but where they will live is another thing. Where the residents will live, like the aftermath of Katrina, is a huge problem. The trailers provided by FEMA were poorly constructed and had lingering chemical problems. 

This is the time to pull together. This is the time to rise above the things that have divided us. Whether the current administration can actually provide leadership is in question. We'll see after Tuesday when the president visits San Antonio. 

In the meantime, don't just send prayers, send money to Disaster relief agencies like Red Cross, Lutheran World Relief, Episcopal Disaster Services and any NGO that is working to provide help. Contact TIDE and ask them to being their washer and dryers on flatbeds to TX. 

the bunny