The Money Shot
ABC 13. Reporter assisting stunned man who drove into flooded street. Watch video below. (abc13.com)
We are having what they now call a “major rain event” in Houston stunning newcomers.
Over a thousand homes are flooded already from the massive front that snowed in Denver and is colliding with a strong warm Gulf system loaded with moisture. It started before midnight last night and is predicted to continue until Tuesday morning. Stalled right over Houston.
Official April rainfall records shattered.
First responders are concentrating on high water rescues (They have experience), so do not call if you are freaking out with water creeping into your garage or front door. Emergency management says, they can’t do much about that, just get your pets and family up higher in your home and do not get out. Attics are good. (FYI, we don’t have basements here…for a reason….water)
Locals saw it coming days ago. Stocked up on chips, beer, and food that doesn’t need electricity. Charged up cell phones and computers.
This is one of the reasons why locals never park their cars in the street at the house overnight. (abc.13)
And made sure the flood insurance was paid up. It’s flat here. Rains enough in any location and it will flood no matter how far from the coast you are. That’s why so many people here choose to drive large pickup trucks and SUVs. DUH. Seriously people, it’s common sense. – don’t criticize if you don’t live here.
Bayous are out of their banks. Streets are now canals.
And channel 13 KTRK/ABC got the Money Shot a bit ago.
Steve the reporter got his Dan Rather moment they all dream of as he rescued a poor man (obviously new to the area) who thought it was a big puddle not a street flooded enough to already cover one car completely.
Once the bayou is out of the banks, turn around don’t drown…..not just a childish chant.
Here’s the video of Steve in the White Oak Bayou /Heights area
http://abc13.com/news/video-reporter-steve-campion-rescues-driver-from-flood/1296639/
Molly forgives me for waking her up so early and forcing her out into the back yard half asleep scream “Go potty. Go Potty now” during a break (Whew)
AS RC Cat says, “Looks like a busy day of napping.”
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge.
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Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge 
I hope no bad things come to you with that rain…. I know that potty-moments and they rarely work… my digestive system and the weather forecast are not compawtible.
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We are snug inside – with power so far. The leading edge is just here with much more behind it. Luckily being one high-ish ground and so close to the lake, water drains as fast as it can…hope the high tide is past as the bay was shoving water into the lake by the strong winds off the Gulf. Always an additional element of suspense.
Oddly, part of smart puppy training in hurricane country is teaching “Go potty” as soon as you get the pup. I thought it was a silly idea, but consistently said the words every time Molly went outside ( as she was pretty feral when we got her and did not distinguish between house and yard as facilities when we first got her). It seems to pay off on car trips and during “rain events” (Who comes up with these names?)…although she may grumble,she’s a darn good dog about it most of the time…of course we do time outside with her normally scheduled events…so who knows. We have considered getting a bunch of grass/sod squares to put in the garage during hurricanes. Driving rain and ankle deep water not the best for potty breaks. Thanks for the paw wave!
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I know that this command really exists, dog showers use it very often, when it isn’t allowed to leave a hall for potty breaks ( we are the opposite party, we avoid shows where we are locked inside). I like the idea to have an sos-litterbox with grass in your garage :o)
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No sane man or beast would prefer an indoor show. Just much happier outside – for a lot of reasons!
The training hint came in a group of hurricane prep ideas – it sounded like a good plan. Not sure if it’s an actual trigger or Molly is amused to humor us HA HA. We’ve had a small rain break – YEA – drippy, but not soaking – good enough
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As long as I can get my tax return to a post office, I’m good. I really meant to be ahead of the curve this time, but… Sigh. I’m going to print up my copies right now, and be ready to run when it slows down. Or, when there’s no choice. Better earlier than later today, that’s for sure.
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We are on stand-by waiting a break for the post office, too! One goes that way in the car while the other drags Molly out. (The cat looks far too smug.) Westbury (Their Willow Park retention can only hold so much, Rice, Meyerland, Heights all swimming already. The lake was high yesterday and boardwalk ankle splash high. Actually good prep and run through for hurricane season…
Stay safe! And thanks for paddling by
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Check out the LCPD update on road closures. When I’m ready to go, I’m heading to Kemah, not League City. There are too many closed roads to the west.
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Oh other staff is out and will turn back that way if necessary – Egret Bay area is problematic.At 5 all the schools north and west were closing and that’s when I forced Molly up and out. Now everything is closed – including metro downtown. Guess the flood gates are up in the med center. We can handle 2 inches and hour of rain, but 7 bayous out of banks and if it’s more than that…wait…it must be near Memorial Day? This is why I drove an ancient 4WD Jeep Wagoneer for years – it could go through anything – and did. Check with you later. Take care
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Here’s the link to the LCPD twitter feed.
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Thanks – cool
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Must admit when we came here and people told us the dog walk flooded every year, I was anxious as to where we’d take Maggie. Two winters on, we’ve experienced plenty of water where it shouldn’t be, and are doing OK. There are alternatives and being on a boat we don’t have to worry about water creeping inside our home. Our moorings here are flood protected.
However, we were close to catastrophe in Lincolnshire and averted disaster by addressing our drainage. My sympathies to anyone who has been flooded out.
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You have really have had the water to deal with this year!
Preparation and knowing the area is key for this kind of stuff here. Maybe sailors and boat residents watch things a little more closely. Actually Spring rains like this aren’t that rare, but the media loves to get hysterical. It is bad, but it happens. I feel dreadfully sorry for all the new people that have moved here and are flood novices. Thanks for wading in with a comment
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You are so right about preparation. We always work on best to be prepared and not need it than to need it and come unstuck.
We do tend to watch the weather, not only out of the window but the forecasts, radar and satellite images. Even in the marina we can get hammered if the wind’s in the wrong direction and we’ve been quite ‘intimate’ with the recent named storms here in the UK.
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Memories of not sleeping, constantly checking the bilge, and watching the dock line/bumpers. HAve to take care of yourself instead of depending on other with a boat. Much closer to what is real. Hope your spring warms and calms!
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I cannot imagine the kind of noise that much water would make. I think hearing that would freak me out as much as the sight of the water. What a mess you’ve got there. For Molly’s sake, I hope it all recedes quickly. And quietly.
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Did someone plan a practice hurricane without telling us? It is coming from the wrong direction, but we can just pretend the eye has passed and this is the outer wall. The worst of the storm still isn’t here and there are bands back into central TX headed this way all day/night. Mostly boring with thunder and heavy downpours..so far no tornados, but it’s early. You learn to watch the clouds and weather forecasts..and have enough sense to know when to stay home.
Yesterday I braced all the tall (house high) tropical plants securely to keep them from crashing over and smashing their pots. Got coffee made early in case we lose power..now if only the chocolate hold out! Thanks for splashing by to chat
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Some fool always tries to drive through and then needs rescuing. They should go for it if they’re driving a Duck! We had those back in Wisconsin.
Better build an arc, Phil!
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Oh we’re between Houston and Galveston, on a hill-ish, and close to the lake/bay, so streets still fine so far…except near the schools where all the parents are picking up kids now that these schools are letting out early. The storm will continue until Tues noon.13 out of 18 bayous are now out of their banks…the traditional Memorial Day flood early!
It’s flat here – more than 2 inches an hour and there’s flooding. Some poor newcomer in a Porsche just tried to Duck it in one of the spots that always always floods anytime someone cries a lot….that’s a total….New people always think they will show us how to handle water….sort of like Dallas drivers think they can show everyone to drive on ice and snow: floor it and skate. HA HA.
Did notice a few lizards waiting it out on the front porch.Some inquiring about the possibility of lizard ski wear and the route to Denver…
Thanks for rafting up with a comment
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I’m glad to hear you’re providing a safe haven for your lizard friends! Stay safe and dry!
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Bob: Life crawls on.(Nod) Bye, Bob
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Scary possibilities, no doubt. I hope all goes okay for you.
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Is this the traditional Memorial Day flood early or a surprise hurricane prep drill? Luckily the worst storms have sagged off the coast and there’s a little break. But things are changing rapidly and another round is expected. Hopefully enough will drain off. The Inspiration Ranch which uses horse therapy with autistic kids managed to trailer some horses at 3 am and got the others to follow down a flooded road to a volunteer fire station where men used cars to create a corral. 15 horses are happily munching the lawn there and are safe, but the stables have collapsed and tractors, tack and all gone. Great loss for so many.HA! break in the rain – out with Molly! Thanks for floating a comment this way!
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Enjoy your rain-free walk!
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drips ok, soaking not 🙂
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Glad to read that you’re OK. A few blog reads ago, I was reading about the devastation in Ecuador from the earthquake there. Not what I want to read, but thanks for the tips and keeping us updated. My parents live in Arizona where, if it rains a lot, there can be flash floods in low places. Every year, it seems, at least one or two people are swept away or, at the very least, have to abandon their vehicles. Sigh.
janet
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Just posted on a huge horse rescue effort – a lot of the city has been white knuckled over the early images. I know that stable – lovely area, but we moved because of the flood potential. We’ve had a couple of hours of no rain (Molly is so happy) and predicted rain tomorrow may not be as bad. AZ – ah, used to travel there as a kid.So nice! Thanks for floating over with a comment
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I had no idea our soggy Denver snowstorm would reach all the way to Houston. Didn’t mean to send it your way.
Poor Molly. Poor dogs. I don’t know which is worse, having to go out in the rain or go out in heavy snow. Annie’s retriever coat sheds moisture like a raincoat, but I wince at the idea of her squatting in two-foot-deep snow to pee.
Watching the video on the evening news right now. Take care down there, and stay safe.
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The signals just got mixed up – it would have been more interesting in Jan/Feb as snow here. Guess the ski industry there is thrilled with the long ski season.
Molly seems to barely know it’s raining, but she does not like ankle-deep foot baths or squatting in wet…she’d probably find snow delightful – digging without anyone complaining about the mess.
The storm system isn’t moving away so they are expecting more rain. High water rescues are still going on. Perhaps time for another run outside with Molly.
Thanks for sailing in with a comment!
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Whoa! That there is some serious flooding – and who knew that Prii float?(even for only a few minutes) When I trucked in that area flooding was always a serious concern and, in a way, eventually did me in. I had loaded hardwood trim in Galveston from South America. i was not aware, but it had been very wet and rainy for weeks before my arrival – which was on a brilliant sunny day. The load was top heavy but safe enough. I had driven all day and was tired,plus I wanted to weigh the load as I was suspicious that the BOL’s were deflated (often done because carriers usually charge by weight). For those reasons I pulled into a truck stop in Channelview. The lot was full so I pulled through and intended to drive around on a local road. I did not know that the shoulders were dry on top and soup underneath. I pulled over behind the Truck stop and the passenger’s side sunk in , the load carrying the whole truck over on its side.
Great post Phil. Stay dry!
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I though you were supposed to drive through truck washes, not roll around like in a bath tub. HA HA The land here seems to be either baked dry and cracking or soggy enough to mire you up to your knees. A heavily loaded truck? I can see it sinking over on its’ side. Did you have to crawl out the window? (Now the EPA/environmental disaster team would block off that area for contamination and spend weeks cleaning up real or imagined truck drippings.)
I’m perfectly happy with these cloudy skies – as you say, it gets bright, sunny, and hot quickly after a storm here…then comes the mosquitoes, glare, and sweltering. Thanks for adding a muddy comment!
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There was a great pic in that link of a herd of cattle swimming in the flood. Hope they got to dry land. We get a few floods here, ie road closures and erosion but nothing like that. We’ve always bought properties slightly uphill. Not intentionally but maybe subconsciously. For example, I wouldn’t buy right on the coast, or in Gib, what I refer to as ‘the sea’ ie reclaimed land that used to be the sea.
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Swimming cows are funny. Old time cattle drives meant some water crossings…they may not like it, but cows can swim. Most animals have enough sense to get to higher ground if they aren’t penned in. Having someone living on site would be important if I stabled a horse or had no choice but to board a dog. But then we seem to always think prepare for worse case scenario. I know those stables – it’s a beautiful forested area most times. But that creek does flood, so we left the area.
Best time to look for places to live is right after a huge storm or flood. Newcomers usually don’t know the history or flood patterns (or fault lines which do move) of this place.
Maybe we should revive and teach old proverbs and sayings…like the one “Have enough sense to come out of the rain”? Thanks for rocking the comment boat
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I saw this story yesterday .. scary, but the man is safe … and cheers to the reporter.
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Just a baffling situation. First why drive in there and why so confused and not realize you have to get out and swim. Guy was lucky. One woman at another location sat in her flooded car, talked on the phone, and drowned as the car sank. So that’s the exception with most people managing to get to safety or were smart enough to stay home.
Right place , right time for that reporter. Another Dan Rather-standing-in-the-hurricane-to-get-the-story news moment.
(Frank, you are not coming up in my Reader – will be by shortly to catch up on the hilarity I know you’ve posted there.) Thanks for boating in with a comment
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Horrible news about the lady. Simply horrible.
FYI: Still on break from posting … so reader not malfunctioning … well, at least not yet.
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Ah, so you are really enjoying yourself! Appreciate you taking time to stop by and chat even more
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Here’s a musical treat for you to enjoy. A bell piece … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4UO3HKq7k4 … WARNING: This is a Level 5 for a full choir.
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That is sooo cool. You know I love the bell choirs. Nice arrangement. The padded bell sticks are intriguing. So much easier on the wrists and quicker note than just swinging them. Thanks!
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4 people doing the part of a whole choir amazes me. I saw this in person this past Friday. … actually sitting not too far from this video.
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OK you are officially excused from blogging…I’ll write you a note if necessary. Must have been amazing
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The concert was awesome … and I probably will include a different song in my return post.
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Applause 🙂
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I knew you would like it.
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I’ve been following these floods in the news. The images of the poor horses swimming for safety really get to me. Hope you are dry and safe. Like earthquakes in CA, I guess floods in Houston come with the territory.
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Those trapped horses were horrifying – but the video and tweets helped get rescuers there in time.
Earthquakes would freak me out – these storms and hurricanes do give warnings ahead of time and you can prepare for them. People just have to pay attention and use common sense. I feel really badly for the newcomers who don’t have past history of the areas and don’t realize how bad it can get so quickly. Thanks for dog paddling over to chat.
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Having lived in the SF bay area for over 20 years, I can attest that a sudden shaker can shake you up for a while. But then you tend to forget about them, until you read the news when another country has experienced a horrible one.
Stay safe!
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Shortly after one cousin moved to LA, she called back to say how she woke up the last night and the bed was hopping around the room like a bronco while stuff everywhere was dropping and bouncing around. Quite a rude awakening. So much beauty and things to do in CA, but those earthquakes!
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Hope you, Molly, and RC stay high and dry.
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We are so close to lake and bay that water drains off very quickly here. But Molly hates a sloshy backyard. RC Cat hates a very bored dog stuck indoors.(Oh well, RC could use a bit more aerobic exercise these days). Thanks for sloshing in with a comment
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I’m running late so hopefully the worst is over and Molly can once again poop on dry land and RC can nap without a rowdy pup sniffing her tushy.
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Oh, here we go again with another line -luckily it’s moving very fast. We got a break yesterday afternoon so the bayous and creeks were in their banks this morning – except on the NW side and west with the Brazos river /tributaries causing town’s to call voluntary evacuations. We were able to get out before today’s storms…but Molly seems to be lounging between RC and the litter box nonchalantly ….we are having to intervene. The cat shouldn’t have smirked too much having indoor facilities? It better stop soon, far too easy to sit around snacking…
Thanks for sloshing over with a comment!
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The reporter’s rescue even made the news up here! Be safe.
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Crazy times, Phil! Glad to know you’re all ok though.
And here in British Columbia, we’re breaking high temperature records. I’m worried for our salmon. And our mountain creatures. There’s no snow on our peaks. Have seen a dramatic decline of the white stuff in the last bunch o’ years.
Anyway, hope you have a great weekend! Stay dry!
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