Thanks to 90for90.org’s Dr. Fergie Reid for checking in with me a couple of times a day this past week. It has been a week, right? None of us here on the Texas Gulf Coast have any idea what day it is or how long we have been dealing with Harvey. I had a shower for the first time in five days, yesterday I think. I really have no idea what I did all day those five days.
Everything is a blur right now of water, rain, flooding, fear, anxiety, relief, exhaustion, supplies, first responders, canned food, and more. The image above is my downstairs. My air conditioner is sitting on the other side of those doors.
Fergie asked if I would write a daily update for the next couple of weeks. Sure, there is plenty to write about and I am an author, so that would be easy … hmmmm. Wait. Where do I start? This is much harder than I thought it would be.
There is so much to say. Our friends, family and fellow Texans are amazing. The contractors we have used for years are all here getting us functional again — including the AC company (yay). My local grocery store is getting food and the local gas station has gas. The sun is out. I have internet and can post and share help and info all day on Twitter and Facebook to help others.
That said…
We are still surrounded by water and destruction in much of Houston and CD36 — the district I’m running for Congress in. The campaign website has been turn into Harvey Recovery resources for now.
Officials are saying 80% of the homes flooded by Harvey don’t have flood insurance. These fellow Texans have lost everything. Someone told me yesterday they heard a half a million cars took flood damage along the coast.
The chemical plant in nearby Crosby is expected to explode and the CEO can’t confirm if the emergency generators were actually built high enough in case of a major flood, always a possibility on the Texas Gulf Coast. And, when the damage is accessed all around us, how many other plants are damaged, leaking, in danger of explosions? The Washington Post said we could be facing a “toxic gumbo” for years to come. Great.
Shelters need underwear. First responders need food. People need gas to get around. Over 30,000 displaced people are looking for a place to stay.
So, other than the above, we are safe, we are good, we are now dry. We see friends and new friends jumping in to help in any way they can. It is what we do in Texas. Take whatever your skill set is and offer it. I am a former broadcaster turned loud social media voice so I’m using my skill set to push information and needs to those who can help and to keep people safe. My trainer is going to go to shelters and lead people through stretching exercises. Gospel singers are singing. Air conditioning guys are fixing air conditioning. Neighbors and strangers are putting on big, ugly rubber boots and work gloves and hauling wet shit out of people’s houses, in some cases, literally.
Oh, and there is another hurricane forming. One of the tracks has Irma headed right for us.
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From Dayna’s website: My heart breaks for my beloved Texas Gulf Coast and Southeast Texas. Team Dayna will use our site and social media to help with Harvey recovery. While we do that, thanks to all who have offered to keep the campaign fundraising going here. The strength and spirit of Texans has never let us down before. We the people. --Dayna Steele