Days before Hurricane Harvey drowned Houston, residents in the Mont Belvieu area shrugged their shoulders as they went about their daily lives. After all, landfall was projected for Corpus Christi and Rockport. However, it soon became evident that many in the greater Houston area underestimated the power of the rain unleashed by the slow-moving storm.
The evening before Harvey hit, this small town – my hometown – embraced the typical Friday night, just as the residents do every weekend. Loud music blared from garages, teenagers cruised the streets in golf carts and the neighborhood walker moms gossiped on their evening stroll. Little did we know, lives were going to change in a matter of days, and for some, hours.
In the days that followed, the water did not stop coming. Just when we thought the rain had finally stopped and the sun was about to peak from behind the gloomy sky, the disturbing sound of rain pounding the windows started again as tornado warnings blared in unison.
Between random rainfalls, the residents who were lucky enough to safely leave their homes frantically searched for an open convenience store, in hopes of collecting items and supplies they regretted not purchasing days earlier. As they passed empty bread and water shelves in remorse, the water inched toward their door steps back home. Not one person I know in the Baytown/Mont Belvieu area expected a catastrophe like this.
The sight of a barefoot man dragging his drenched sleeping bag behind him, the crying faces of families who lost everything, and a mother frantically searching for milk for her baby are all scenes that will never leave my brain; however, those images were followed by equally compelling ones. The barefoot man entered the Eagle Heights Church and was immediately greeted at the door by a woman with a blanket. The crying families were rescued by residents of Mont Belvieu and the surrounding area who volunteered their lifted trucks and boats. The mother searching for milk was given a gallon by a stranger who had just bought the last one.
Rescue volunteers were not only heroes to the tragedy, but also role models. The desire to help became contagious, and before we knew it, the entire community was contributing in some way. Many who lacked resources to assist in the rescue groups took to social media. Fundraisers ranging from t-shirts and koozies, to GoFundMe accounts were shared across Facebook.
Facebook timelines were full of updates regarding shelter locations and donation requests, civilians asking where and what to donate and information regarding which roads were safe to travel. The devastation has left a permanent imprint on many hearts in my hometown, including my own; however, it’s safe to say we are prouder than ever to call Mont Belvieu our home.
From homes and belongings, to security and well-being, Hurricane Harvey took something from everyone. Despite this, the collaboration of so many reminded us that we aren’t just neighbors, we’re a community. There are too many aspects that divide society, not just in my community but our nation as well. Although Hurricane Harvey caused extensive devastation, it brought people together, uniting the entire state of Texas. We are #TexasStrong.
Check out the gallery below to see photos from Mont Belvieu during the storm.