by Robert W. Wallace, American Red Cross

The Spanish translation of this post can be found at the bottom.

Red Cross Volunteer Krain Emmert gives Rachelle Allen a big hug and good wishes for the cleanup and recovery of their home. The Rachelle and her husband Willard were amazingly upbeat and cheerful considering their recent ordeal.
Red Cross Volunteer Krain Emmert gives Rachelle Allen a big hug and good wishes for the cleanup and recovery of their home. Rachelle and her husband Willard were amazingly upbeat and cheerful considering their recent ordeal.

Living creek-side in Humble, Texas, just North of Houston, can be a humbling experience, especially when the water gushes from the heavens as it has during the last month. That has certainly been the experience of Rachelle and Willard Allen.

Willard Allen shows how high the water reached on the post supporting his carport. The car in the picture was completely submerged and destroyed by the flood waters.
Willard Allen shows how high the water reached on the post supporting his carport. The car in the picture was completely submerged and destroyed by the flood waters.

On Monday, May 25, water in the creek began to rise. “We had copperhead snakes in our still-dry front yard that were driven up from the creek bank by the rising waters,” explained Rachelle. “On Tuesday, the front yard was flooded and water was in the house….We hunkered down on the second floor, determined to ride it out. Looking out the windows I could now see water moccasins swimming around the house…. On Thursday, we were rescued by the Houston Fire Department, taken out on a boat…. The snakes were still there as we left…. A helicopter from ABC Channel 13, hovered overhead. Our rescue was broadcast live on TV.”

On Monday, June 1, Rachelle and Willard were back in their creek-side home. The water was out of their house. The front yard was mucky, but no snakes were apparent. The Allens were busy cleaning up, so they were very happy to see the Red Cross truck as it came rumbling by their home.

Red Cross Volunteers Kraig Emmert and Lannie Steptoe (in truck) hand out a shovel, cleanup kits, snacks, and water to Humble, Texas, residents Rachelle and Willard Allen whose creek-side home was devastated by floodwaters.
Red Cross Volunteers Kraig Emmert and Lannie Steptoe (in truck) hand out a shovel, cleanup kits, snacks, and water to Humble, Texas, residents Rachelle and Willard Allen whose creek-side home was devastated by floodwaters.

Red Cross volunteer truck drivers Kraig Emmert and Lannie Steptoe supplied the Allens with a shovel and cleanup kits, containing bleach, Pine Sol cleaner, heavy duty garbage bags, respirator masks, medical exam gloves, leather work gloves, sponge, scrub brush, brooms, mop, and a 5 gallon bucket. They also handed out snacks, water, and left contact information with them if they should have additional needs for food and more clean-up supplies.

Vida por el Arroyo en Humble Texas

Por Robert W. Wallace, American Red Cross

Viviendo cerca del arroya en Humble, Texas, norte de Houston, puede ser una experiencia humilde, especialmente cuando el agua sale de los cielos como ha pasado durante el mes pesado. Ese fue la experiencia de Rachelle and Willard Allen.

Voluntarios del Red Cross Krain Emmert le da a Rachelle Allen un abrazo grande y les desean bien en sus esfuerzos por la limpieza y recuperación de su casa. Rachelle y su esposo Willard estaban bien alegres a pesar de todo lo que ha pasado.

En lunes, Mayo 25, el agua del arroyo empezó a subir. “Tuvimos serpientes Copperheads en el parte seco de nuestra yarda que estaba impulsado por la subida de las aguas del arroyo,” explico Rachelle. “En Martes, la yarda de enfrente está inundado y el agua todavía estaba en la casa… Nos  barricamos en el segundo piso determinados de aguantarlo. Mirando por las ventanas podíamos ver los mocasines del agua nadando alrededor de la casa… En jueves, fuimos rescatados por el Houston Fire Department, sacados de un barco… Las serpientes estaban allí cuando nos fuimos… Un helicóptero del ABC Channel 13, rondo sobre nosotros. Nuestro rescate estaba transmitido vivo en la televisión.”

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Willard Allen ensena como las aguas llego en el poste soportando su cochera. El carro en el retrato estaba completamente destruido por las inundaciones.

En Lunes, Junio 1, Rachelle and Willard regresaron a su casa. El agua ya estaba afuera de su casa. La yarda  estaba asquerosa, pero no había serpientes. Los Allens estaban ocupados con limpiando y estaban muy contentos en viendo el camión del American Red Cross encamino a su casa.

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Voluntarios del Red Cross Krain Emmert and Lannie Steptoe (en la troca) le dan una pala y kits de limpieza, aperitivos, y agua para los residentes de Humble, Texas, Rachelle and Willard Allen quien su casa fue dañado por los inundaciones.

Conductores de trocas del American Red Cross, Kraig Emmert y Lannie Steptoe les dieron a los Allens con una pala y kits de limpieza, lejía, Pine Sol, bolsas de basura, máscaras de respirador, guantes médicos, esponjas, cepillos de limpieza, escobas, trapiador, y un cubo de 5 galones. También les dieron aperitivos, agua y dejaron su información de contacto con ellos si necesitaban más comida o suministros para limpiar.