Hurricane Harvey

On Friday, August 25, 2017 Hurricane Harvey started its descent on Houston, Texas. The winds and the rain came in full force. We had been anticipating the storm for many days, so we were as prepared as we could have been. We had enough supplies and food. There were many tornado warnings and it was an unsettling few days. The news was on non stop showing all the flooding from the 52 inches of rain that fell in just a few days. What the hurricane left behind has been heart breaking and devastating to this place I call home. 

We live in a wonderful subdivision with a great drainage system so this is as high as the water rose. It got to about the curb. Still unsettling knowing so much rain was yet to come. Luckily the rain broke a little and it drained really quickly and our home and subdivision was spared.

We spent a couple tornado warnings in the closet hoping for the best. The kids were mostly fine to be huddled all together.

This was a picture of the day by day flooding. Downtown Houston looked like it had become a lake. 
Overall our power only went out for 3 hours on Sunday afternoon. The worst we had was having to ration our milk as the stores couldn't get more supplies. My parents and brothers homes were fine, we all just couldn't get to each other because all the roads were flooded around us. We felt like we each were on our own island. So many areas were completely under water and we have been spending the last weeks cleaning out home after home of flooded victims. It's so heart breaking to take everything they own and throw it to the curb for the trash man.

I have spent many days in these boots cleaning out houses. Some were not too bad and others were terrible. The first few days I tried to go to a shelter to help and was turned away because so many people were stepping it to help.

This home that Ragnar and I worked on together was terrible. It was an older man who wanted to keep everything, but his home had sustained 16 feet of water. There was nothing salvageable.

After many days it was great to see these tractors that came to load up all the trash that is piled on the street. These people don't need a reminder out their front door of their losses, they already know.

I was so glad to serve along side members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love the Mormon helping hands organization and being a part of a church that is known for service. People would welcome our help and the news was broadcasting that after all of our crews coming in to help that people would say, "I knew the Mormons would come" That warms my heart. I want to be helpful and although this has been hard and has put everyone's lives on hold for weeks, I am grateful that it has humbled hearts and allowed people to love and serve. We are Texas and we are Houston Strong. We will pull through.