Thinking about our friends in Texas and other areas

[TheresaD]

All this crazy weather has been doing a number on so many areas. I was hoping that TS Lee would have sent some relief to our friends in Texas by way of some rain but that hasn't been the case. Instead there are now wildfires that are burning and being spurred on by the winds created from Lee. My heart goes out to the folks in the path of those fires. I hope that no one from this board will be effected and that all those in the area of the fires will remain safe.

I'm also hoping as the rain from this storm moves up into the northeast that it will bypass those areas that were hit hard last weekend by flooding as a result of the hurricane's heavy rains. Irene did alot of damage to alot of places, but some of the flash flooding was just terrible in some areas. Heavy rains again this week from Lee cold be even more disastrous.

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone dealing with hardships as a result of the weather of late. Please try to stay safe!

[Txbum]

Teresa, Slo, thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I live a short distance from Bastrop and the smoke made it's way to Corpus Christi by the gulf coast . About 200 miles south by south east. I was driving back home from Corpus Christi to Schulenburg all 150 miles of travelling north we drove into light hazy smoke .At times you could smell the odor of smoke. Last count over 500 homes lost in Bastrop county. Steiner Ranch exclusive gated home community ( high high dollar) area lost 24 homes.Though 300 plus were saved. Locally... Fayette county experienced a 1000 acre fire, lost of some property, some local telephone service facilities were encountered. So far no lives lost, indeed a blessing. Richard Txbum

[JuneBug]

I had been thinking about my new co-worker over the weekend and hoping all was well -- she still co-owns a house east of Bastrop with her ex -- they are still good friends -- and still had all of her "life" stored there. But all was not well; the ex saw flames in the backyard at the same time that police were out front making the urgent call to evacuate. He grabbed the dog, ran to the car and the car and dog are now the total of his material possessions.

He snuck back in to check out the damage on Monday (the fire had moved much further south by that time) and could not recognize his street, much less his house. He did see a metal birdfeeder on a pole, and then knew that was where the house had been. Insurance money will build a new house, but the home that it once was can never be replaced.

There is a good possibility that a faculty member in the department where I work also lost his house in the Bastrop fire.

So much loss and devastation in our country this year. My heart and prayers go out to all who suffer in these disasters.

[Tumbleweed_Tex]

I only wish the declaration of a federal disaster was based on the needs of those homeowners, not politics.

Satan, however, DID call…he wants his weather back.