Devastation everywhere, like a giant bathtub filled to overflowing with dirty water, rushing down a drain to sodden destruction.
The torrential rains were no respecter of persons, flooding well-heeled neighborhoods and hardscrabble ones alike. Tens of thousands stranded by water too deep to allow them back into their homes,
Or trapped fearful— too high to let them out.
Many living for days in a water logged house, escaping to the second floor and attic when possible,
Waiting, calling, praying for rescue.
Besides the obvious specter of drowning, hidden danger lurked in the murky water.
Alligators in back yards, snakes swimming freely and packs of fire ants bonded together in a floating island of death. Two brothers were tragically electrocuted when their boat drifted into live wires while trying to make a rescue.
Please continue to pray for South Texas.
Our average rainfall in sun scorched Oklahoma is 36” per year. They received over 50” in a few days, the most rain at one time in the Continental US. Ever.
Service professionals were stretched thin with not enough manpower to cover this catastrophic disaster. I can’t imagine the helpless horror of the 911 dispatchers, overwhelmed with distraught callers sobbing and pleading for rescue, yet no one to send.
A year’s worth of rain in one violent storm.
But in a day, a new kind of hero emerged. A floating band dredging up hope in their wake. Dubbed the Texas Navy and the Cajun Navy, they appeared from near and far, and even across state lines. Droves of cars clogged interstates as locals tried to escape. But headed into the direct path of the devastation were trucks pulling water vehicles of all kinds.
The enthusiastic throngs of help were contagious. Speed boats, fishing boats, row boats, kayaks, jet skis, even paddle boards ferried one victim at a time to dry land. Anything and everything was of use. Finding a place to put in, they began motoring from house to house, looking to rescue.
A massive volunteer flotilla emerged of teachers, truck drivers, businessmen and women, retired folks, day laborers, teenagers and young adults,
All banded together with no thought to race or socioeconomic status,
Just the sanctity of human life.
Those without boats created human chains to step bold into the raging water to extricate people from cars stranded in the rapidly rising floodwaters.
Thousands of rescues made possible by brave men and women enduring the elements, to help their desperate fellowman.
Ordinary people. Heroes among us.
An altruistic spirit is alive and well when need overshadows want in a catastrophic event.
The worst in the world can bring out the best in us.
And as the news turns elsewhere and new clips emerge to fascinate us, of the latest drama or tragedy, let’s not forget the victims in Houston whose lives have been turned inside-out like socks tossed careless in the laundry. The mucky clean-up begins as the repercussions of this cataclysmic event echo for years to come.
Take a hard look at your life, remembering to be thankful in all things, and lets band together to donate and pray for these victims. Vow to be part of a movement of Contagious Christianity every day, not just during a tragic event.
And though we may not be in a position to pull up our stakes and head South to help, we can let our light shine in the darkness of a broken world as we determine to serve the single parents, the widows, the hungry children and homeless at our doorstep in our very city at this very moment.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance… For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:34-40
Great post, Loree!