Trip Report

[SuperScout]

Even before getting out of Austin, the signs were ominous: “Little to no fuel available in or around Houston,” flashed the roadside billboard. Anticipating part of the problem, I had thoughtfully loaded a full 5-gallon can of gasoline in my pickup, along with my chainsaw, extra fuel, extra chains and all the other tools I might need for the tree-whacking mission to Houston. And even with a fully-charged cellular phone, I wasn’t ready for the communication failures and disruptions that were to follow.

After coordinating with my pastor and his contacts with the United Methodist Commission on Relief, (UMCOR), I was going to meet up with a local church in Katy, Texas, located to the west side of Houston. Traffic slowed to stop-and go before getting to Sealy, way to the west of Katy, when I got a call from the Katy folks. The damage to their congregants was minimal, and they had already solved the local problems, but could I re-direct my efforts to another Methodist church in the NW part of Houston.
Getting to Cypress, Texas, became an adventure in back-country roads, stopping to ask for directions twice (admittedly, this Scout forgot to do an adequate map recon!), and finding yet another Methodist church that needed some help. This was a small, country church, and the insurance adjustor hadn’t given the OK to do any work on the many down trees, much less one that was laying cross the roof of one of the buildings. No work was getting done around the church. So after driving to find a ‘sweet spot’ where cell phones worked again, I finally got to Cypress area to start work.


The closer I got to the area, the more evident became the destruction and devastation. Almost all of the businesses were closed due to the lack of electricity, and whatever gasoline stations that had fuel, the lines of cars waiting to refuel stretched for blocks. Trees, some as tall as 75’, were either flat, or dangerously leaning towards their ultimate doom. The Cypress UMC was a welcome sight, with power on, crews already out working in the neighborhoods, bottled water and meals available for the workers, and in possession of a list of needs. A tankful of chainsaw fuel and two dulled chains later, I headed back home after doing as much as my now-aching muscles would allow. There’s much more work to do. If any of you are so inclined, I would urge you to donate funds to either UMCOR, the Salvation Army, or some other responsible organization that is helping locally.

[Packo]

Although an incredible hassel...you soldiered on. Sure hope there are people like you around when our turn here comes.

Pack

[82Rigger]

Brice,

Sounds like an interesting adventure!

75 foot trees down...that's usually Cat 3 or Cat 4 damage, but VERY likely in a storm this size.

While you were gone, rescuers were finally able to make access to Bolivar Pininsula just east of Galveston Island.
Havent seen any photos yet, but reports sound VERY bad...whole subdivisions gone. Bolivar caught the east eyewall and the large storm surge.

I'm sure you do ache after THAT kind of work-out...but it is a satisfying ache,
is it not?

Like Packo said...could be him or me next time.

Thanks for being there!

God bless Texas!

Steve