Surviving the Storms

This is the way Tropical Storm Bill looked as it approached Victoria.

Port Lavaca, just 28 miles to the south of us, took the direct hit.  

This was a tropical storm and not a full fledge hurricane, but the only

difference between the two is wind speed.  The rains and the potential

for tornados is much the same.  The last thing anyone needed along the

Texas Gulf Coast was more rain.  We were still recovering from the

Memorial Day weekend floods.

And just two days before Bill paid his visit, we were hit with really heavy

rain.  So when the rain began again on Monday, I was really

concerned.  Bill was still waiting on the sidelines, his arrival
predicted for Tuesday.  When he did arrive, where would all this
new water go???

Early Tuesday morning, David and I moved the patio furniture

and put all the wicker furniture from the back porch away.  

And then we waited.  Well, Bentley and I waited.  David went off

to work.  

This patio was flooded.  Poor Bentley would stand on the porch and

look longingly at his yard.  He doesn't like rain and frankly I didn't 

want him out there at all.  I am aware that snakes come out of their

little dens when it floods.  I have not seen a snake since I have been

here, but my neighbors have.

When Bill first rolled into town, the skies took on that ominous look that

seems to say take cover.  The winds picked up and little branches from the

trees came down, but not much more than that.  We did get a lot of rain

on Tuesday but we were all relieved that it was not worse.

Yet that was not the worst of it ….

Yesterday, although Bill was leaving our area and moving to the north,

a new batch of strong storms developed to the west of us bringing lightning,

thunder and huge downpours that lasted for hours.  The radio and television

blasted out continued flood warnings.  I kept hearing of road closures due

to high water.  All Bentley and I could do was pray for the best.  These

huge downpours just kept coming down hour after hour.  Then the

warnings of more strong thunderstorms that would last through the night.

Last night after we finished dinner and the kitchen was all clean, Bentley and

I braved our partially flooded street in between the raindrops.  I had to 

carry him to some higher ground so that he could do his duty.  We had just

enough time to get back up to the the front porch before the rain began

again.  Once inside, David warned me that strong thunderstorms were

headed our way.  

By this time I knew I had enough.  I washed my face, slapped on a moisturizer,

brushed my teeth and changed into my jammies.  Then I took an over the

counter sleeping aid and told David I was going to bed early.  Bentley

and I snuggled up, I put my eye mask on and slept through the night

like a baby. 

When I awoke at 6:30 this morning, the rain had stopped and the sun

was shining.  The sun has since disappeared, but it was the brief period

of sun that gave me hope and a feeling of joy.  It reminded me that 

things always look better in the morning.

Big Soggy Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley