Flooded Streets Safety Rule

Hurricane Harvey reached Category 4 status by the time it made landfall just south of Victoria, Texas, last night.

This photo is the clubhouse built out over the small lake that is the centerpiece of our community. The clubhouse is usually a couple of feet above the water.

Fortunately, there's a huge  overflow drain that makes our lake constant level, but the rain comes so fast sometimes that nothing keeps the level from rising. Presently, it's only drizzling so the water is draining which is good because we're supposed to get slammed again this evening.

The storm pictures are stunning. Power has been going on and off everywhere from Houston to Corpus Christi. I'm lucky to have power now. Daughter and son-in-law in Houston have power back on too.

My Darling Hubby is at our house in the country. I'd planned to join him yesterday but Harvey changed that. Our son in Corpus managed to get to the country house by Friday noon. He learned his house in Corpus seems okay. Only the wood fence was downed.

Drowning Event

Many people drown in hurricanes. It's common here in Texas to hear this phrase repeated over and over: "Turn around. Don't drown."

That's a phrase that people everywhere should commit to memory, because people persist into driving into flooded streets.

Rule of Thumb

How do you know if a flooded street is okay to drive through or even to get out and walk through? Remember this which our Precinct 4 Constable posted.

6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.

12 inches of rushing water will carry away a small car.

24 inches of rushing water will carry away almost any vehicles.

If you are in a large vehicle like a big pickup and must drive through a flooded street, drive very slowly. The faster you drive, the greater the chance of water damaging your motor, undercarriage, exhaust, etc.

Why You Shouldn't Walk Into Flood Waters

1. Snakes. Here in Texas where we have a lot of waterways, we also have snakes. Flood waters will wash them out of their burrows. Definition of fear? Walking in flood water and seeing snakes swimming around.

2. Alligators. Oh my goodness, yes. There are many retention ponds and bayous in the Houston area that are home to gators. Definition of horror? Walking in flood water and seeing a gator.

3. Floating fire ant mounds. Yes. That happens.

4. Drains and sewers. When streets flood, so do the underground sewers, and sometimes that massively heavy sewer cover floats off. People--especially a child--can get sucked into the underground drain. Last year, a child died that way.

5. Debris. Everything that gets disposed of in sewers and street drains floats to the surface. Broken glass, car oil, cans, bottles, rusty metal pieces, etc. You don't want to step on any of it.

6. Disease. Never let your kids play in the flood water if only because of the potential to catch some kind of disease.

Takeaway Truth

Be safe. Stay inside and wait for the all clear from officials.