To all the refugees where ever you are..
 

Villette told me that people have inquired and worried about myself and others who are displaced at this time. Thought I would give an update and share some of our experience..if for nothing else, shear therapy.

I've heard on the news how they speak about the people who were caught to ride out the storm. How they had enough warning and should have listened. We did listen. My boss would not give out our paychecks that weretwo days early unless a mandatory evacuation was called. God, where to start.

Our car broke down 30 minutes away from town and we rode out the storm in Vidor with the kids dad and his wife. Funny thing about evacuating, people who know nothing about it would think no big deal, make you a hotel reservation, leave town a few days, then come home. That's the way it is..sometimes.

We rode out the storm watching the devastation from their garage as long as we could, taking bets on which tree would fall where. As the storm was at it's peak there was more of a "This is it..there's nothing we can do now" attitude. At that time you are in too much shock at what you are seeing before your eyes to even cry. You are just frozen in time.

The electricity went right away, transformers lit up the sky like fireworks. In the distance of the flickering light you could see the water starting to rise down the street. Myself, my two specialneeds children, thekids dad and his wife, their two dogs and 3wk old puppies, were there in the dark. No lights, water, sewage. I remember finally getting my brother on the cell in the next town and telling him we were gonna have to get in the car and try ro make it to the highway and just drive..my blood pressure was thru the roof, I was in survival mode. He told me the house they had just built was completely under water in Bridge City and that he and his wife had spent the night under an overpass with Remy, their old Golden Retriever. This news of this just brought it all home and I snapped when myknees hit the mud I was standing in. It was real.

I told him I loved him there on the phone, hung up and put what I could scrounge in hte car along with the dogs and my two kids and hit the highway, dodging barricades. For 2 hours we had to drive slow and doge water, trees, and trash on the highway..stopping in every town praying for a vacancy. We ended up here in Waco.

I have spent the bill money that was to go on the bills that couldn't be paid because of the Gustav evac. I had two pay the first 4 day here in the hotel before Fema picked it up. The dogs are both sick with diarreah, the vet here felt so bad for the condition they were in I wasn't even charged for their care. I have tried to pick up some stuff at the dollar store that we could eat he in the room without eating take out. After the trying to get the kids meds,of which are many filled, I do not even know if I have the gas to get home when we are able to.

All I know about my town that's 2 miles from Port Arthur is we got more wind damge than water, I know nothing about my house. Things start rolling thru your mind.. I know the clinic my kids go to is under water, how will we get refills, they have all their records. Somebody slap me now.

You go your whole life a very private person, minding your own business and helping others when you can. I pray for all of us that are living the daily stress and heartbrake of the aftermath of this storm. Catostrophic is just a word unless you've witnessed it first hand.

Right now I'm still in shock and don't know what tomorrow brings. I've always felt that worry showed a lack of faith..I'll have to pray on that one. I am grateful for the motel room. Heck, I don't even know where Waco is on the map, we were just driving. I did get ahold of fema to inquire about the monatary assistance for food and gas and medical needs..I was reforred to the Red Cross and The United Way..was even given the number to the local food bank..it was closed. Red Cross said they don't handle help with money and referred me back to fema that "they would take care of us"..

I am truly sorry for the poor me trip I seem to have set off on, just needed to talk I know many others are in our shoes and even worse. It just doesn't seem real. We will get thru this, everyone who has suffered devastation with this storm, you are not alone and I pray for us all.

I am so incredibly sorry. I hear strength in your post that you probably don't feel. I can't possibly imagine what you are going through nor countless others. Hug your family and fur babies...they are what is most important.

Sending prayers.

I am so sorry for everything you are going through. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers!! I hope that your house is ok. I am sure that everything will work out for the best!

I was watching the news last night and it about made me sick. They were talking about a football game that was supposed to be this weekend. They said that many hotels were booked because of it and many evacs. were being forced out of the hotel because of reservations. i was in shock that people would actually make these people who have nowhere to go leave because of a football game.

Im sorry to hear about what Ike has done to your family and many other people and not only in texas. The national news channels do not even mention the devastation that Ike has cause throughout the county.

I live in NW INdiana were the the counties have been declared disasters also. and in parts of Illinois have also been declared disasters and are all displaced with no where to go. and FEMA tells them they will have to wait until they are done in Texas. People have 6-8ft of water in their homes, businesses and churches. We ourselves only suffered 2ft of water in our home and count our blessings, everyday!!!!!

Don't know about the strong part hun, I'm pretty much running on auto pilot right now. I'm very thankful for computer access. People ARE having to motel hop. They are checking in and out here every day..all hours of the night. You just take what you can get and be thankful. The room We are in is a done deal and open for us for however long we need it. It just worked out that way. I am learning more and more about myself tho, getting the help for Bubba and Gizmo was the first thing when we got here. Just trying to get my thoughts together and concentrate on things that need to be done. I appreciate your prayers and well wishes.

My thoughts & prayers are with you too. :( Stay strong.

I'm sitting here reading this with tears in my eyes. I wish you could feel the biiiig hug for strength I am sending you, prayers too. We are still without electric power, here, however.... I would like to know how we as yt family can help you :confused:

God be with you! :aimeeyork

Oh, Denise! I am SOOOOOOOOO sorry to hear about your horrible experience! Stay strong!! Please let us help out even if you just need someone to talk to!!
We were without power for 6 days and it was NOT an experience i want to go through again. I am just so glad you were able to get out of Vidor to higher ground with your kids and furbabies!!
We are sending (((HUGS)))) and prayers for you sweetie!! :hands:

My thoughts and prayers are with you

Oh, Denise..........I'm so sorry that you and your family have to go through this! I'm glad you're all okay.........stay strong Hon, your kids and furbabies need you. My thoughts and prayers are with you! :hands::hands::hands:

Denise - I'm feeling your pain and know you're hurting really bad -

Just reading what you just wrote gave me chills. You had to deal with evacuating - children - the dogs being sick ...no food - no help from the government ....the list goes on and on....OMG the stress and financial consequences are horrendous......I can't imagine how you must be feeling inside - Not to mention - your home. Not knowing if you even have a home has to be one of the hardest things anyone can go thru

I'm in houston seeing the aftermath first hand but you're actually in worse shape than most people I know :(... I want to help - I just left a message on your home page.

PS....Denise you are going to have gas money - I promise you.... so please take that off your mind.

People here are wonderful and have pulled together before ....you need your friends and we're here.

how horrible this is for you... I wish there was more we could do to ease this burden on you. Bless You, your skin babies and fur babies... If there is anything I can do to help you, I wish I could....
Bless You!
d

You are all being so nice. Villette that is my biggest worry right now. My money is going fast. I know I don't have enough to get home when it is time. I put it out there and now I have to have the whevos to finish it. I'm almost broke V, I bought some lunch meat, bread, chips, and pop tarts to munch on hoping we would find out our town has electricity any day. My Mom said she found out that they are worrying about Bridge City electricity first...have you seen the amount of damage to Bridge City?.. It is hard to say all that without seeming like so many of the others who have come on this site begging. Sister I'm in a bad place right now. Home seems so far away. Didn't want people being misled thinking I have small children with me. I call them my "children" but they are grown and special needs..24 and 26. Andy's is physical and Amy's is mental. Don't know why I threw that in but don't want anyone thinking they were misled.

I started the thread for what it was, some communication with the "outside world" and the replies have been so kind.

I would like to help you as well... Please pm me!

HUGS AND I AM PRAYING IF YOU ARE IN WACO I AM 35 MIN FROM YOU PLEASE STAY STRONG I can meet you if need be

HUGS


Texas people are great one day at a time.

Denise - You're life's been turned upside down. please don't say you're sorry for needing some support for YOU.

OMG. I will drive to come and get you right now and you can stay with me as long as you need! Seriously!
I am so sorry that you are displaced right now, I know being away from your home is hard. But know this, you have a place to go where you will not be a burden and it is yorkie friendly!
Please hold on. and PM me if you need to. I will come get you, if you need.

Denise, please know that you are not alone!! You have many friends here and they are sincere in their offers to help. Please, please just contact us and let us know how to contact you ... we love you and want to help!

Hi, there dear lady. So glad you wrote on YT so we can hear how you are and have the opportunity to be the angels that you need to hold you up when you are down.
Please let us know if you take the yters offer to stay at her home, that was so very nice of her, please PM me and let me know how I can send you something.

God be with you, so many are praying for God to send Angels to help you along your way back home, and keep your kids safe. I was so happy to hear that you have already met an angel of God, the vet that checked out your furbabies. See? He is with you.

Huuuugss ((())))
Annie

Your story is heart-breaking. Please don't ever, ever feel sorry for needing support. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You have some wonderful friends, and no one will let you and your family be without. Please let me know if I can do anything to help.

Your in our Thoughs and Prayers...
 

As are all families caught unawares during this Hurricane season. Please know that you got your kids and furbabies and yourself to safety. That is all that really counts in this world. If your house was damaged you can rebuild. Reading your post I can tell you are a very strong person. You have more strength than you think. God Bless you and your family...:aimeeyork Baron and his Mom

Awww - This Is The Reason I've Been Here So Long - It's People Like You Who Make The World Go Round. What a nice nice offer.

And Thanks To All Who Sent Pm's And Want To Help.

good morning friends..
 

To Hartygirl..what a sweet gesture. We are set up here at the hotel and they are being very good to us. Thank you so much for the offer!

A friend I work with called on the cell last night to check on us. She said the city had partial power, she is on generator. I gave her my address and she said she would try to get over there and check on the house for me! Maybe it won't be long before we can go home, fingers crossed.

I will feel better when our vet can check the poobutts out. Sure is hard to wrangle them to go potty outside the hotel, they're not used to strange people, I'm guessing they'll get use to it :). Ever notice the smaller your place, the harder to keep clean? This is one room. I don't let the cleaning ladies in because the dogs go crazy so I just hand them towels and such thru the door.

Have a great day friends. I'm hoping in the next few days we can go home :).

Denise, You remain in our thoughts and prayers but i know you need some help right now. Please contact some churches where you are...i know they would be willing to help out! Our church has been offering free meals as well as many other churches in our area and i bet they are offering similar there for all those that have been displaced. The refugees are all over the state in motels so please don't be bashfull about checking out your area.
I wonder if Judy from Waco would be able to tell us where some are that are close to your motel??
I'll PM her.
HUGS Denise!! Hang in there!! :hands:
XOXOXOXO

Denise, I am praying for you, your family and your home. Be safe, my friends.

I sure hope you can get home.

When we thought Ike was going to hit Corpus Christi directly it was chaos around here, and since we had no storm there are a lot of people here right now from your area.

I am praying that you return to find your home as you left it and this will all be a memory! Please let us know if there is anything you need.

I have word from home!
 

Still no lights but my house is still there. The porch swing is hanging in toothpicks from the chains. I lost a couple of pillars on the front porch, and some eaves or soffit hanging around the roof. She said it look like the house is sitting kind of crooked on the piers it iis sitting on. The porch was kind of iffy anyway from Humberto dropping my oak tree on it..that's all I know right now. Don'y know about the inside. Soon as the lights come on I will get to go home and check things out. I'm SO relieved..it's still there!

oh man is that great news ! :thumbup::thumbup:

You need to keep calling about the lights and have verification they're on before you make that drive back

it's going to smell horrible - all your food will be bad... but you still have a house YAY !!

OMG! I'm just now seeing this thread. My internet has been down. The Church of the Open Door has food for Ike evacuees and I can find you other things right now. My number is 254-498-0573. I don't care if it's on the internet, just call me.

You are all such wonderful people :D.

I just got back from northern illinois where my Uncle lives. I helped him out this weekend as much as I could. His entire basement flooded. Mind you, this is a finished basement with bedrooms and such. The carpent and drywall is rotton and smells awful. I feel so bad for him. We just lost my Aunt Dee last saturday to cancer, and now this. ugh.. I helped him out as much as I could, but my son is allergic to mold and got really sick from the dampness so we had to leave early. Im going back in two weeks, when (hopefully) everything is dried out so we can take up carpet and stuff.

I feel so lucky. I can't imagine this kind of devastation on a larger scale. I guess it would seem kind of unreal unless it was happening to you. I live in southern Illinois, and for some reason we only got 1/2 inch of rain and some moderate winds.

I will keep you in my thoughts, and pray that you get to go home soon. I can only imagine how lost you must feel right now.

Take care, Heather