Horse Folks Near Houston Brace For More Rain as Hurricane Harvey Refuses to Quit
The view looking back at Sally Griffin’s house as floodwaters continue to rise.
By: Brittany Bevis
Three days ago, the giant storm that has been dubbed Hurricane Harvey struck the Texas coastline dumping an unfathomable, nine trillion gallons of rain on residents: flooding streets and homes, forcing evacuations from hospitals, and the closing down of two airports (Yahoo News, 2017). Local news stations are referencing statistics from the National Hurricane Center calling Harvey the “biggest rainstorm on record” with the potential rainfall to reach 50 inches in some locations.
Although the storm has weakened since making landfall, it’s extremely slow moving. While it maintains its position near the Texas coastline, it continues to suck up more water from the Gulf and is now threatening to turn its sights on Louisiana.
We checked in with several of our friends who reside in and around the Houston area to gain a better perspective of the situation on the ground. Becky George currently resides in Cypress, Texas, located northwest of Houston. Thankfully, Becky’s barn is located on a higher plot of ground, so it has remained dry; however, the road leading to her property is flooded and waters are rising.
Downed trees caused some damage on Becky George’s property.
“My barn is dry, but my road has been flooded and was impassable until today,” Becky says. “I just got out today to get diesel and to get a chainsaw, because there are trees down over my driveway. Now, we’re trying to find out where the shelters are that are in need of water and clothing, but everything is utter chaos, so it’s hard trying to figure out where and how to deliver supplies.”
Becky’s road leading to her house and barn.
De De Baxley Lanoue, who lives in close by Magnolia, TX, is all too familiar with floodwaters threatening her home and business. Last year, during the April 2016 Houston flood, De De’s house sustained a lot of damage. “My house flooded again and then our back-up house flooded. Now, we’re staying with friends. The barn is fine and the horses are good. It’s all high and dry.”
Trenches outside of De De Baxley Lanoue’s barn.
“We’ve had so many people, who have reached out to us from all over the country, and have even offered to fly in to help, but both airports are closed. There are a lot of people from out of town helping to move horses. We have about eight or nine stalls here if anybody needs our help.”
De De’s house just above the water line.
As Harvey continues to pour buckets over Texas, Sally is optimistic the deluge will move on soon. “I’m seeing a little bit of blue sky back towards Austin. I think the worst is about over. Hopefully, we’re at a turning point.”
