They Call Them Roads

One remarkable thing I noticed after observing the area wide flooding are the roads. For all practical purposes, they're dams, and those that built below the level of the road, were most affected.

Anyone that's building should always consider the location of the nearest road, and build above the top of the road. One foot minimum, and 2 feet as a good start.

After 42 Inches of Rain

I'll probably write more in the future, but right now I've been blessed with electricity once again, the water is way down, and the terrible feeling of seeing water were it never was before is over for now.

I lost power, had to rough it for a few days, but what I consider divine guidance led me to buy land in a place that doesn't flood, even with 42 inches of rain. Many in the area lost everything to water that rose in unbelievable amounts over the time when it was darker than most ever experienced, and they awoke to find they were wading in water rising rapidly.

After two major hurricanes, I can write this was the most devastating I ever experienced; and it was only a tropical storm.

It's still early in the relief process, and many are sheltered in places with resources dwindling rapidly. Tomorrow will bring more relief, and the long process of returning to normal will begin.

Fifteen Inches and Probably More

According to the NOAA precipitation totals, somewhere between 15 and 20 inches of rain have fallen in my locality. That's very much, and more forecast to come.

We have a little break in the rain, so I'll venture out to see the results.

Aftermath

Years ago, hurricane Celia devastated Corpus Christi, and surrounding areas. Relatives of mine stayed, but lost their entire second story during the storm. It took months for them to regain any close semblance to the life they once enjoyed.

Such things leave lasting memories, new building regulations, officials with information won by a disaster, and people still alive with knowledge of how to cope. This is invaluable, and calmer minds deal with the event.

With so many newer structures built to better standards, avoidance of building in dangerous areas, and the knowledge of where it's safe to stay, or when to evacuate, the damage will be bad, but devastation will be isolated.

The media will not have much to place in the gristmill, so those interested will have to dig deep to find information.

What if It's All Hype?

Hurricane Harvey is within minutes of having the eye wall coming ashore. While the media is broadcasting a category 4 storm, the surface winds are not showing such extreme wind conditions. Of course, some station are not broadcasting, which means they were either destroyed by the winds, or were turned off to cover the asses of those that were a little to extreme with their hype.

Harvey hasn't followed any of the narrative at this point. The computer models, which are many, can't come up with a definitive path, and the media is lapping up the gravy; along with the retailers that made a boat-load of money selling to the panicked citizens buying supplies that will be thrown away in a year.

Time will tell how this works out, but I have the feeling only a few will actually know what the data actually contained.

The forecasters were spot on. The forecast rain was as tremendous as anticipated, and a historical event will be remembered by anyone affected.