By Richard Ray:
Houston and much of Texas hardest hit by Hurricane Harvey are experiencing sunshine for the first time in days. This is not to say that the tragedy is over… far from it. Despite the present lull in rainfall, some are still not out of imminent danger as more flooding is expected in some areas.
The water has receded slightly in a few areas, but much of Houston is still under water. Eventually, in the near future, the water will recede and residents that were forced to evacuate will be allowed to return to their homes. At that point while imminent danger may not be present, those residents will be further tested in trying to piece their lives back together.
Many are sure to return to homes and automobiles severely damaged by water. The natural disaster has a present confirmed death toll of 31 as of this writing, with that number sure to rise. The property damage caused by the storm will be in the tens of Billions. Natural disasters like Harvey have far reaching and long standing impacts on lives well after they are out of the headlines and news. We are 12 years removed from Hurricane Katrina, a storm responsible for over a thousand deaths in Louisiana alone, and there are still parts of New Orleans that have not fully recovered from Katrina’s destructiveness.
Houstonians and Texans will be recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey for years to come. We will largely stop talking about it and fundraisers will have ceased, likely replaced by some other tragic occurrence that occupies the nation’s minds and hearts. Tragedies such as this, from natural disasters or otherwise, are a reminder of so many things. They are a reminder of how much of the what happens is really out of our control. They are a reminder of despite the unknown and lack of control, how important it is to be organized and prepared for both the expected and unexpected. They are a reminder for so many of us that despite daily struggles, we are blessed relative to the hardships that so many others face. It’s a reminder that life, in all its ups and downs…happens.
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