Cardude in Harvey bullseye

[Bigsfish]

Also, what isn't being reported is the looting going on. It appears to be getting worse and reminds me of Andrew in south Florida where hone owners had to protect their property from looters. One area shot a looter and hoisted him up on a telephone pole with a sign that said no looters. Shameful some people take advantage of others misfortune.

[angus99]

Originally Posted by Bigsfish

One area shot a looter and hoisted him up on a telephone pole with a sign that said no looters. Shameful some people take advantage of others misfortune.

Plenty of shame to go around, IMHO.

[cardude01]

Originally Posted by Bigsfish

Also, what isn't being reported is the looting going on. It appears to be getting worse and reminds me of Andrew in south Florida where hone owners had to protect their property from looters. One area shot a looter and hoisted him up on a telephone pole with a sign that said no looters. Shameful some people take advantage of others misfortune.

I would like to see proof that happened. We have heard wild rumors here about looting but much has turned out to be false. Fox News is doing their best to perpetuate the "out of control" looter claims. They love to spread fear.

http://www.snopes.com/2017/09/01/har...-troll-tweets/

[Delfin]

Excellent article from a respected climate scientist, who also happens to believe in human impacts on climate, on why Harvey was the disaster it was, and what quantitative role humanity had on its effects.

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2017/08/global-warming-and-hurricane-harvey.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter& m=1

[Cottontop]

Originally Posted by Bigsfish

Also, what isn't being reported is the looting going on. It appears to be getting worse and reminds me of Andrew in south Florida where hone owners had to protect their property from looters. One area shot a looter and hoisted him up on a telephone pole with a sign that said no looters. Shameful some people take advantage of others misfortune.

It's not being reported but you know about it somehow? And it "appears" to be getting worse? Are you having visions? Are you on the scene?

There was a false Facebook post claiming the Cajun Navy had been shot at. Does that dissuade other potential volunteers? I don't know, but we don't need hysterical nonsense.

There was certainly looting after Andrew, and Katrina, and every disaster, I suppose, and there have been reports of looting in Houston. One looter, a teenage kid brandishing a shotgun, was shot by a homeowner after Andrew. Nobody was hung from a telephone pole.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by Bigsfish

BandB

First it is admirable you and WifeyB are doing your part to help clean up the aftermath of the storm.

You wrote:"71% of the damage will not be covered by insurance. ". That sounds like a strange percentage. Where did that number come from instead of 70%?

It was a Flood Insurance estimate and I just used their number. I personally would have estimated a range had it been my estimate. The point is that it's a majority of the people and with the bacteria and mold on top of the water damage, it's a frightening number as I picture many living in very unhealthy situations.

[BandB]

As to bouncing back, the oil and gas industry is mentioned. I do believe they'll recover in a fairly short period but that doesn't mean the entire area has bounced back. In spite of them, Houston's per capita income is barely above the national average and the income is even less in some of the other areas. The poor will have a very difficult time and many of them will just leave the area. The middle class will also struggle to recover. Think about the small business owner whose business and home are very damaged. Even if he gets his business running again, are the customers there. Then toss in tourism. I don't know what the new Houston will look like. I don't know what the new Crescent Bend area will look like.

If I had to predict for Rockport, Port Aransas, and Fulton, I would predict part of the area would rebuild much as it was. However, I'd predict many won't rebuild and will end up selling. The property will be acquired by those building at some point tourist businesses or new condos or something entirely different, and changing the landscape. Of that being rebuilt, I'm also afraid it will be no more able to withstand a hurricane than what it replaces. After Andrew, new codes were implemented in South Florida. They need to be in South Texas as well but I've heard of no plans. And a new flood control system needs to be developed for Houston.

As to looters, there are looters everywhere there's a disaster and I think they've been controlled here as well as anywhere, not perfectly but a good effort made. Looters won't ultimately do as much damage as another group I'll speak of. That is contractors, licensed and unlicensed, who take advantage of those in bad situations and walk away with their money. There will be major scams and people hurt badly. There was one I'm aware of caught this morning. The sales pitch was to get at the head of the line and give them a down payment and they would be ready to start as sure as insurance came through. No license. The people actually doing it were convicted felons.

Well, my lunch break is about over. Sleeping on a cot is ok. What we miss most already is a nice shower but others here have been a week without one and for us it's just one day. But one hot, sweaty, dirty day.

[cardude01]

Yeah, we should be way more worried about the scammers than the alleged looters.

[Seevee]

Originally Posted by cardude01

Yeah, we should be way more worried about the scammers than the alleged looters.

I've got very little tolerance for those kind of people. If you want to shoot them and hang them up, I'll supply the bullets and rope, and I wouldn't blame you one bit. There should be "open season" on those people.

Now, most folks should know what a scam is in this situation.... we know they will be there. If one doesn't know a reputable contractor or handy man, then caution is advised.

Seems like the folks there are excellent folks and neighbors will help neighbors and a lot of good will come out so our neighbors with less rebuilding skills will be helped.

Best to all of you.

[what_barnacles]

I had to stop and let the dog wiz yesterday, and imagine my surprise when I realized I did it next to a cell phone shop. You could tell the guy in the car was watching my every move.

We lost 2 batteries, 1 starter, and 1 jeep. salt water is really conductive The jeep actually caught on fire and melted the dash. Its obviously totaled, well in my mind it is we shall see what the insurance co says.

[dwhatty]

Originally Posted by what_barnacles

I had to stop and let the dog wiz yesterday, and imagine my surprise when I realized I did it next to a cell phone shop. You could tell the guy in the car was watching my every move.

We lost 2 batteries, 1 starter, and 1 jeep. salt water is really conductive The jeep actually caught on fire and melted the dash. Its obviously totaled, well in my mind it is we shall see what the insurance co says.

Umm, what?

[healhustler]

B&B and wifey B: good on you for actually diving into the action and "walking the walk". Hope you don't have to race back to reset yourselves for Irma.

[BandB]

Wifey B: It was two very different storms, even though the same one. On the coast it was a very destructive CAT 4 and inland it was Allison on Steroids and Testosterone. Perhaps it was exactly what Allison would have been this many years later.

The worst feeling is when you sit with someone looking for you to somehow give them hope, and you can't honestly do so. All you can do is remind them they're strong and they will battle through it all. Their eventual success and happiness will have to come from within, and against some overwhelming odds. You tell them where to turn for help, but you can't fix their world torn asunder. I'm sure unpopular to hear but for a few of them the best advice is to get out of here and the best help is helping them start over somewhere else.

The best feeling is when you make someone smile who hasn't been doing so, even if it's just playing a silly game or throwing a frisbee.

So many wonderful people facing so much. A reminder too that throughout the country we have people facing huge challenges every day. Throughout the world. We can't change the world, so the best we can do is just help one person at a time. It never seems like enough, but it's better than nothing.

A lot of people alone too. So many singles of all ages. A lot with no one to turn to. It's not just no one in a relationship, it's no family or friends to turn to. Well, too dark for football now so hubby returning.

When the hoopla has all died down, we all must not forget the people here as they'll still be struggling.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by healhustler

B&B and wifey B: good on you for actually diving into the action and "walking the walk". Hope you don't have to race back to reset yourselves for Irma.

Wifey B: Hope so too, but we're better prepared for Irma than they were for this. Not much more we could do if home. Just bring outdoor furniture in and lower pool level. We have Andrew to thank. House was built after Andrew and upgraded a few years ago.

I didn't know what CBS was when we moved to FLL, other than a tv network and I associated concrete block with cheap houses. Then I saw everything was CBS, no sticks. I understood in theory why after being told. Now, I really understand.

One other factor none of us can ignore. Those with a little money saved, with insurance, will rebuild. Those like us here who can own boats. The poor can't rebuild their lives easily. How sad to be a mom and your kids lost everything, their clothes, their toys, their furniture, their house and you can't replace any of it and they don't understand any of it completely.

While we appreciate kind words, we're really doing nothing. There are so many doing so much more. Plus we're doing it at very little sacrifice. We don't really feel like we merit compliments. Many others do. We're only posting to try to share a little of what we see and the emotions that it gives rise to. We'll need time when we leave here just to deal with those emotions. Seeing people hurting is just wrenching. However, it's an emotion we need. It's part of being human and caring.

[what_barnacles]

Originally Posted by dwhatty

Umm, what?

Kemah, Tx. You know, Hurricane Harvey?

The Jeep was at blue dolphin marina on clear lake and got flooded by harvey. Well so did the other 2 trucks, but they sit a lot taller than the jeep so they only lost a couple of batteries and a starter.

[FF]

For those willing to donate , a 2 for 1 match seems great!

"For every $1 donated, Walmart will contribute $2 worth of cash or, at Walmart’s option, needed product to the American Red Cross, up to $10 million. Walmart’s product contributions will be valued at Walmart’s cost. The campaign will run from August 31, 2017 through September 6, 2017."

[cardude01]

Originally Posted by BandB

Wifey B: Hope so too, but we're better prepared for Irma than they were for this. Not much more we could do if home. Just bring outdoor furniture in and lower pool level. We have Andrew to thank. House was built after Andrew and upgraded a few years ago.

I didn't know what CBS was when we moved to FLL, other than a tv network and I associated concrete block with cheap houses. Then I saw everything was CBS, no sticks. I understood in theory why after being told. Now, I really understand.

One other factor none of us can ignore. Those with a little money saved, with insurance, will rebuild. Those like us here who can own boats. The poor can't rebuild their lives easily. How sad to be a mom and your kids lost everything, their clothes, their toys, their furniture, their house and you can't replace any of it and they don't understand any of it completely.

While we appreciate kind words, we're really doing nothing. There are so many doing so much more. Plus we're doing it at very little sacrifice. We don't really feel like we merit compliments. Many others do. We're only posting to try to share a little of what we see and the emotions that it gives rise to. We'll need time when we leave here just to deal with those emotions. Seeing people hurting is just wrenching. However, it's an emotion we need. It's part of being human and caring.

Thanks for the reports and the perspective. I agree that, as usual, the poor and the middle class will take it on the chin and have much more difficulty trying to rebuild their lives. Especially since Texas Tea Party politicians seem determined to continue to remove safety nets for the poor and middle class by defunding public schools, refusing to increase access to Medicare, etc.

[dhays]

Originally Posted by cardude01

Thanks for the reports and the perspective. I agree that, as usual, the poor and the middle class will take it on the chin and have much more difficulty trying to rebuild their lives. Especially since Texas Tea Party politicians seem determined to continue to remove safety nets for the poor and middle class by defunding public schools, refusing to increase access to Medicare, etc.

Not addressing the political aspects but...

Because of my wife's and my professional careers, we tend to think about healthcare and education. Both will be severely affected in those areas. Most healthcare is provided by small clinics and individual physicians. Many of their offices will be out of operation for quite a while. Most offices had to go to electronic health records. Many of those, like I do, have a server located on site. When flooded, it will be toast. They will have off site backup of records, but it takes time to replace equipment, then restore from the backups. The vendors serving that area will be very, very busy. Everything will take much longer than it would if just one office or clinic had a busted pipe and flooded.

This means that it is going to be hard for folks to find access to health care their need. I'm not talking about injuries related to the flooding and winds, but just the chronic health issues folks have. Even something as mundane as getting needed prescriptions refilled will be difficult.

Education will also be impacted. Not just by the delay in the opening of schools, but in the possible displacement of the kids. Any time a kid has to move from one school to another, they take a step back. With so many families in transition all those kids' education will be affected. The displacement may also cause additional crowding. Even for the kids not affected by storm, if their 3rd grade classroom now has 35 kids instead of 25, they will pay a price in the quality of education they receive.

I am sure there are countless other ways where this type of regional disaster affects individuals negatively. These soft effects will create ripples that the rest of the state and to a certain extent the country will be dealing with over many years. The hard part is that it is obvious these effects will be there, but it is very hard to quantify.

[cardude01]

Well said David.

[BandB]

In that regard, Houston schools scheduled to reopen on Sept 11.

Aransas County ISD is closed indefinitely. No timeline is given. Before opening, they need electricity, safe water, and safe buildings.

Most Texas schools started class last Monday. Displaced kids are eligible to go to school where they are. For some it will be easy. For some dealing with being far from home, been through a hurricane, away from friends, and behind, plus tossed into a different district and perhaps not even their planned courses, without the supplies or equipment they needed or a good study area or environment, without clothes and basic items, they will immediately fall far behind. For some, it will be permanent.