Coming home after Hurricane Ike
I am humbled and awakened by the strength that surfaces from humankind in the wake of a natural disaster. Last week, I followed some of the news reports about Hurricane Ike - the touchdown and the aftermath - and it all was a little distant through my lens.
I was forwarded an email from Christine Phillips, a membership consultant with Connect2Agent, which brought my lens into clear focus. The email was a record of an electronic conversation Christine had with her client, real estate agent Eric Gage, who is in the Galveston Corridor area. Christine wanted to check in and make sure that Eric had evacuated safely.
I present to you, with permission from Christine and Eric … An inside view: Coming home after Hurricane Ike.
Evacuating Galveston
” … I am safe in Dallas. We drove up yesterday after 9 hours in the vehicle which typically take 5. We went the 
back roads to avoid the traffic … I am with my parents and we were pulling their RV. My sister and her husband followed us.
“This is pretty upsetting. I am watching live video stream from the local news stations on the Internet and talking to friends that are TV reporters for different stations.
“I think the house I was house-sitting for in Galveston is gone! My friend is traveling, I got his dog but I think all his things are gone. He has a house ½ block from the seawall which is now overcome. It’s a one-story beach cottage that he redid when he moved there last year to start medical school.
“I just got a report from Texas City, where my parents and family members live, that we are still dry. We have a levy system and let’s pray that they hold up. That’s where my rental properties and my car … I left it in my parents’ garage! Anyhow, thanks for checking on me.
“Many of my friends all over the country are calling and sending messages and it’s truly a blessing. I just hope people I know all got out! Many people are still there and they can’t get out now so it’s not going to be pretty! Talk to you soon!”
Returning home
“… Just got back in the area this morning. I have a rental property heavily damaged and not livable and so I don’t know what my renters will do. It’s my best home and in a great area! My parents’ home sustained damage to the roof and water damage in two rooms.
“Still waiting to hear on my friend’s home in Galveston but we are thinking it is OK. They are now saying we can’t get on the island for 30 days. A few other friends’ homes in Galveston were spared. Waiting to hear from a few relatives in Galveston that we haven’t been able to get a hold of. I am trying to find a former high school teacher that lived on the Bolivar side which is demolished.
“All the homes pretty much have damage but we are lucky … we have a home! I am in a damp mood right now because we went out to the beach area of Texas City and it’s gone … GONE! Drove down to one of two homes that are located out there and gone! The husband and wife were rummaging through the debris trying to find belongings.
“They didn’t take pictures and cherished items because the home has been through several hurricanes and she thought it would be spared once more. We don’t know them but I had to get out and help them find things. Of course it is all ruined and wet but found a few pictures.
“Sad … the lady had such a devastating reaction that I tried not to cry helping her. It’s crazy … places I go to as a kid growing up in the Galveston area are now in memory. Loss of life to people in my community is going to be masses … I am getting reports from friends that are reporters in the field. War zone it is! Please think of those that have lost their homes! I am fortunate and blessed and that’s all I can say! Thank you for your concern!”
Helping those in need is a mouse click away
I am grateful to Eric for sharing his story with Christine and allowing it to be posted on this blog. His request, after agreeing to let us publish his comments, was to “… make sure it says to help those who have lost everything. I felt guilty last night sleeping in my bed because we have a home … many do not. Thank you for thinking of us!”
The Red Cross is currently running a campaign to help Hurricane Ike victims and raise $100 million in funds that were depleted from last hurricane season. No donation is too small, so think big and act today.
Posted by Rebecca D. Levinson
Tags: Connect2Agent, disaster relief funds, donations for hurricane ike victims, Hurricane Ike, red cross
Thank you so much Rebecca for this article. If it even helps 1 person make a donation to the Red Cross from this, then it has helped. My heart goes out to all the people affected by this.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:51 am
very good point I had not thought of - but I still think the original poster was closer to the answer..
October 28th, 2008 at 2:01 pm