Preparing for Disaster – Part One
Preparing for Disaster – Part One – Overview
As the remnant of one hurricane flows westward across Texas, dumping up to 10 inches of rain at a time, and another hurricane heads into the Gulf of Mexico, I feel driven to write a series of posts on preparing for disaster.
This will be a short series because I do not want to bore you. I hope to help you prepare and survive a disaster.
Flashfloods, Tornadoes and Hail
In October 17-18, 1998, we had a 100-year flood. Both the San Marcos and Blanco rivers flooded. From Blanco to the coast, floodwater surged over houses, farms and entire cities. The city of Cuero was completely covered.
We had another 100-year flood in November of 2001. The upper Guadalupe River flooded, causing Canyon Lake to cut through the land next to the dam, destroying a residential treatment program for girls. The torrent continued downstream, destroying the homes and businesses rebuilt on River Road after the 1998 flood. The riverbanks were swept again by floodwaters and New Braunfels to Sequin was underwater.
In May of 2006, we had a hailstorm that hurled grapefruit sized chunks of ice around San Marcos. The roofs and the vehicles at the outlet mall and the car dealers located nearby were destroyed. People lost control of their cars as their windshields exploded and they were faced with flying glass and ice. Chucks of ice knocked people unconscious as they ran for cover.
At our home, we had no warning. The hail sounded like thunder. As the size of the hail grew, the sound was more like gunshots as it hit our travel trailer and cars. In our home, we lost several windows, parts of the roof, all the gutters and a metal shed that had stood for 20 years. One by one, the windshields on our cars cracked and then failed. All the roof vents, the air conditioner, the TV antenna, the gravel guard and finally, the roof on Beauty (travel trailer) gave way beneath the assault of ice and the weight of the hail.
On June 9, 2010, New Braunfels received 11 inches of rain. The flood ranged from above the Comal River to Gonzales. Rocking R&R lost everything to the flood, their tubes dispersed, buses and canoes wrapped around trees. RVs were torn off their fifth wheelers and destroyed.
What am I saying? We had no advance warning for any of the events above. If we happened to be watching TV or listening to the radio, we MAY have received a warning. Yet, the local TV and radio stations are in Austin and San Antonio. That is a span of 75 miles in distance and a world of difference in weather.
You do not have to live on a tidal flat or river delta to flood. Hurricanes may take quick left or right turns, or completely reverse course, to head in a new direction within hours. Hail and tornadoes may drop out of the sky wherever you live. Earthquakes and tsunamis still take us by surprise, and volcanoes form along the Pacific Rim of the USA. Do not be taken by surprise. Prepare for disaster.
Take the First Step
- Buy a weather radio.
- Learn how to use it.
- Stock extra batteries for it.
- A radio you can crank is also a good idea.
Stay tuned . . .
Written by Eileen Trainor aka CyberCelt of Texas RV Travel and Texas RV Travel blog All rights reserved, but please feel free to distribute, as is, to others. Originally written in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Updated Friday, August 26, 2011.
