A few of us went off topic on another thread, commenting on the remarkable weather phenomena that has wreaked havoc in central Texas the last few days. I was actually living in Austin during the epic 1981 Memorial Day flood, and they’re saying this one is at least of that magnitude, if not bigger. I still have a lot of friends all around the area, from San Marcos, New Braunfels and Wimberley, up to Austin and Driftwood. One friend has posted a FB update that she’s OK (actually lives on the Guadalupe River), another in Austin is OK, and I finally texted my friend in Driftwood when she didn’t respond to my FB post, and she’s OK. I just can’t believe the number of structures/homes they say are gone… down the river. And so many bridges have been washed out. I think at least a dozen people still not accounted for.
Some people are trying to see the glass half full by noting how much Lake Travis has gone up; they’re saying it was at 35% capacity, and after yesterday and today’s rain, think it might go up to 60% or more of capacity. I know that UT graduation was last week, so at least that is out of the way, but many school districts are canceling classes at least for tomorrow, so some high schools might have to figure out how to hold graduation with seniors who can’t finish finals.
I think much, if not all, of the UT graduation had to be cancelled according to some Facebook posts. There was no available large indoor venue available.
I do think they spread out the graduations at UTexas because I saw cap and gown pictures, too, but also lots of disappointed posts about cancelling the “outside” graduation and how people had been looking forward to it.
From what I understand, the university-wide, outdoor commencement was cancelled, but indoor graduation ceremonies for individual colleges (Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, etc) were still held. A video from the commencement speaker was sent out to all students, and fireworks were delayed for a day.
I am moving D2 into central Texas today to begin her summer internship. She will live in a hilly city. Going to have to have a talk about NOT taking chances ever of driving into water. This makes me want to give her a life jacket to put in her car!
I have an Aunt who lives south of Dallas and her house flooded for the second time a couple of days ago. It was the day before her 87th birthday! She’s OK and staying with friends. The flooding was just from excessive rain coming down a hill.
We also have friends in San Marcos and they have close friends who lost their whole house. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
D3 and I had to drive through Texas (to get her home from college) a week or so ago and it was worrisome. We hit some heavy rain but no tornadoes or flooding. It’s been a crazy spring there but at least their drought is over.
So sorry for your loss, @whenhen. Let’s all drive carefully no matter the weather.
Am just now seeing pictures from Houston today. And, ack, they’re talking about chances of finding snakes and alligators in the area so don’t let kids play in it! They’re under a flood emergency - they’re saying it’s the first time they’ve ever issued this. My brother and his wife live on the 34th floor of a high-rise at Memorial Park and she posted pictures from their balcony. Pretty dramatic.
