Flooding NM and Texas

[Philip Glass]

Personally, I have no problems with Amber Alerts, which is only used for child abductions and it’s believed the child is in imminent danger. I take a screenshot to save the information. The activation zone can vary from half a mile to statewide if necessary. I’m not upset if I get awakened because it could be nearby or very relevant and my beauty sleep isn’t that important.

There is no Amber type alert for natural disasters that I’m aware of, only child abductions. An Amber type alert for natural and/or man made disasters has merit IMO. Like the horrible flooding that occurred in Texas, especially the Hill Country, an Amber type alert going to cell phones with the message, “dangerous flooding, get to high ground immediately,”

No blame game and I’m still praying for all those affected, it’s just heartbreaking.

I get Amber Alerts from all over Texas. There doesn't seem to be any concern for my location. What can I do about something in Houston? Mine are turned off. With all the talk of alerts we will all likely get more and more useless ones.

 

[BJH65]

I get Amber Alerts from all over Texas. There doesn't seem to be any concern for my location. What can I do about something in Houston? Mine are turned off. With all the talk of alerts we will all likely get more and more useless ones.

I honestly don’t know, I’ve been away from that arena for about 8 years. The agencies requesting Amber alerts set the parameters based on the potential likelihood the endangered child could be in a particular region or heading to one with a vehicle, suspect info and license plate are often known or involved. An Amber alert for an active shooter incident or terrorist attacks can also be initiated although far less common.

As far as other types of alerts, like wireless emergency alerts for the recent tragic flooding in Texas, the National Weather Service was reported to have sent out 22 warnings for Kerr County and Kerrville but many reported not getting them until hours later, maybe due to bad or no cell phone connection like others here have mentioned. I’d like to think the technology is there to address this now and I’m hopeful it will be improving like using satellite tech to get those warnings out to folks that do not have cell tower coverage due to being in a remote location or even drone based relays.

 

[mdwest]

I get Amber Alerts from all over Texas. There doesn't seem to be any concern for my location. What can I do about something in Houston? Mine are turned off. With all the talk of alerts we will all likely get more and more useless ones.

Similar… I get silver alerts and amber alerts from Houston, San Antonio, Austin, etc all the time…

If there’s some reason to believe they are headed in the general vicinity of DFW, I have no problem with it…

But knowing the overwhelming majority aren’t ever going to be closer than 150 miles from my location, all it does is muddy the water and make people less inclined to pay attention or actually care about an alert when they are released..

They’re great in theory.. but Texas does a crap job of actually managing the alert process in my opinion..

 

[Red Leg]

Things were rather sporting along the San Gabriel as well east of Georgetown. Fortunately, we had warning early morning of a thirty-foot crest coming in afternoon. Packed Nancy and two dogs off to our son and the mut and I stayed to do what we could do. House stayed dry and we lost no out buildings. So, we have no real complaints compared to the folks west of us. However, I likely have two months of cleanup, debris removal and fence repair.

Having managed the crest ok, I was then most worried about looters potentially working properties along 29 overnight.

Our almost horizonless pool. Looking toward the river which is almost a quarter of a mile away with 20 foot banks.

The river crossed over to another drainage upstream from us and really hammered the front entrance. We were a 400x80 yard island for several hours. The iron rail fencing is a bit like al dente spaghetti.

But the house is fine and no one we know was injured or worse. Cleanup is going slow because of more rain. Hard to operate a tractor on black dirt prairie when it like goo.

 

[Zinz]

the National Weather Service was reported to have sent out 22 warnings for Kerr County and Kerrville but many reported not getting them until hours later, maybe due to bad or no cell phone connection like others here have mentioned

That area of the Texas Hill Country is horrible for cell reception, especially down in the valleys. It's a wonder anyone got the warnings.

House stayed dry and we lost no out buildings.

Damn, @Red Leg send me a PM is you need any help on the cleanup. I'm just a conversation away in Cedar Park.

Ed Z

 

[NMAmateurHunter]

Born and raised Ruidoso NM here. It was a pretty devastating flood mostly caused by the fire last year and lack of preparation this year. Glad to see yall giving a recognition for the flooding both in Doso and Texas.

 

[Red Leg]

That area of the Texas Hill Country is horrible for cell reception, especially down in the valleys. It's a wonder anyone got the warnings.



Damn, @Red Leg send me a PM is you need any help on the cleanup. I'm just a conversation away in Cedar Park.

Ed Z

I truly appreciate it. We have it under control. Can't do much along the highway until the ground dries and the corn is harvested. Am having a chat with the Texas highways crew in Taylor tomorrow. Can't pile and burn this next to the highway. Am not eager to drive it a quarter mile out back one grab at a time. Hopefully they'll get it if I put it in the right of way.

 

[wesheltonj]

I truly appreciate it. We have it under control. Can't do much along the highway until the ground dries and the corn is harvested. Am having a chat with the Texas highways crew in Taylor tomorrow. Can't pile and burn this next to the highway. Am not eager to drive it a quarter mile out back one grab at a time. Hopefully they'll get it if I put it in the right of way.

Can you find someone with a chipper and make mulch out of those piles?

 

[Red Leg]

Can you find someone with a chipper and make mulch out of those piles?

I could. I do not care to pay for it, and have no use for several tons of mulch. Nor does anyone else. Several commercial outfits would be happy to chip it. I would guess it would take five to six days. Living in a pecan bottom I can give you a very accurate eyewatering estimate of what they would charge.

 

[WAB]

I had the worst flooding of my life as far as damage here at the ranch. Fences down, dam washed out, and roads are severely damaged.

View attachment 698613

Sorry to hear that Phil. I hope everyone is OK.

 

[Datchew]

Just got back from a Africa yesterday.
Already got buddies volunteering and my church has linkage to Samaritans purse. The stories I'm hearing are hard.

I'll be up there Friday after some work stuff this week.

Texans are "can do" and this is our backyard in San Antonio

Appreciate everyone that helps in whatever capacity they're able

 

[Zinz]

My good friend texted me tonight. He’s been helping in the Kerrville area. He sent me this:


“I spent Wednesday thru Saturday in center point area. Got linked up with a crew spotting for an excavator team. Crazy debris field. Words and photos cannot describe the amount of debris in that spot. A FEMA or other federal person said they’d worked a lot of disasters sites and hurricanes and never before saw so much material moved into one place. Basically, 300 plus yards long, 60 plus feet wide at the upstream end, 20 plus feet high!!! Biomass, garbage, house parts, got shoved into this spot. Cypress Tree lined river, with steep bank. The steep bank was wide upstream and 300 or more yards down, the river and the cypress and the bank converged. Like a big hog trap. The cypress didn’t budge so it just filled up that wedge. Unbelievable. We supported the excavators as spotters. Watching every scoop and marking hot spots (smells) with orange paint. We found the last missing camp councilor from camp mystic Friday afternoon. She was under 15’ of that material, at the far end of the debris field. I think the excavators started Tuesday. Maybe Monday. I joined in Wednesday. Took that long to remove the material. What a week ! I only got confirmation about who she was earlier today. I may have missed heard but a crewman said 130 metric tonnes of material removed, and that was before we reached the girl.”

…just awful

Ed Z

 

[steve white]

And 31 ft crest on the San Saba river expected tonight

 

[AZDAVE]

Prayers for those in the way of the storms.