We got up super early on Saturday. We needed cat liter and toilet paper. We ran out, got some Kolaches, picked up some movies from Blockbuster, and did a quick run through the local HEB to grab some necessities. We expected the rain to start around 10am and to continue throughout the entire day. We expected the rain to start and continue all day because the local weather channel told us that was going to happen. I listened to the weather for 5 hours on Friday and thought it obvious to stock up on some basics supplies so we wouldn't need to get out in the bad weather; we wanted to snuggle up inside all day watching the storm and enjoying some movies. The night before, we parked my car at my brother-in-law's parking garage and partied until one. We rode home in Jonathan's car, brushed our teeth, curled up in our warm bed, and went to sleep thinking about the next day's agenda: watch Hurricane Ike's crazy rain and relax.
(Hurricane Ike - Texas - 2008)Well, that didn't happen; we awoke to cloudless sunlight, some horrific humidity, and no rain. WTF?!? We were really looking forward to the crazy weather. Not only because this state's in major need of some rain, but Jon and I wanted to listen to the storms and relax all day. Who doesn't love the eerie light storms bring, the occasional cracks of thunder and lightning, and the soothing sound of water drops hitting the window? Dangit! We were supposed to be in the red! We were supposed to get rain all day! Well, we didn't get ANY rain, but cities northeast of us were drenched! Hurricane Ike tore through Houston, but the rain just missed Austin.
(Hurricane Ike - Houston, TX - 2008)My father lives in east Houston on the San Jacinto River and he got plenty of everything- rain, wind, outages, flooding. Pure craziness. In the past, his house has been flooded by insane amounts of rain and river water so Dad figured he'd get some damage and told me he would probably be communicating via email. Well, he did- once. He emailed me at 9 am Saturday morning saying they had gotten a little bit of water but that everything was okay. Of course, he also tells me that his cell phone is dead and he left the charger in his car- the car he parked safely away from the water, and far from his house and present location. Geez. Well, he didn't email me the rest of the day and was obviously unable to call me or anyone else. Needless to say, I was worried.
(Hurricane Ike's destruction on Houston, TX - 2008 - Getty Images)I spoke to my Aunt- she was safe and away from the storms. She told me Dad had gotten some water in the house but that she hadn't spoken to him in quite some time. I tried not to think about the bad and focused on the good; he's a survivor at heart, he loves to have a good time no matter what, and he's always prepared. I was sure he was okay... I just wasn't too sure about the house. Dad's been through several floods on that river and has seen lots of damage from it; he even lost his pinball machine and our jet ski in the flood of '94.
Mom and Dad went through a hurricane in our first house 25 years ago in Houston; I was 2 months old when Hurricane Alicia blew through Galveston and Houston in August 1983. Mom took me to a hotel. Dad stayed in the house while the electricity and water were out for weeks.
(Hurricane Alicia - Houston, TX - August 1983)
(Alicia's destruction on Galveston, TX - 1983 - www.texasproductionteam.com)I should have known Dad wouldn't leave his house now- come hell or high water! He did stock up on supplies though: water, charcoal, lighter fluid, canned goods, and beer. Well, I finally got through to Dad's cell phone; he had survived. Can't say the same for the yard or the downstairs living room. The water rose so much that Dad was up to his waist in water. Geez Louise.
The electricity will probably be out for a couple weeks, and gas stations and grocery stores are still closed. Dad can survive on the food and water he has, but I sure wouldn't want my beer getting hot! Although, I'm sure Dad can handle it.
Well, long story not short... I'm extremely lucky. Even though we didn't get the rain we were dreaming of, my family made it through the storm safely and almost completely intact. My Dad has been very fortunate throughout the years; he's had little damage and has always stayed safe. Our prayers are with those who lost homes and those who lost loved ones.
Hurricanes can suck it.
.JPG)
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