Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024

Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024
Sunset, Kailua-Kona, The Big Island, Hawaii, March 11, 2024

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Central Texas Flood - Sat., Nov. 2

You may have heard the news about flooding in central Texas last Thursday. We were not affected in San Antonio, but a few miles north it was a different story. The small town of Wimberley had 13" of rain overnight, Canyon Lake had 11.3", and Austin had 5-6".

Many rivers criss-cross central Texas and those rivers came up fast! Our friends Jim and Peri were in their RV in an RV park near the San Marcos River. Here are Peri's words about their harrowing experience:
"I'm sorry I haven't called you, it's been a little crazy. We were awakened by a loud knock on our door yesterday morning and when I opened the door, the water was up to the second step of the RV. We quickly got dressed and were able to get the pickup out [it was parked in a different location], but my car was parked in front of the RV and there was already water up to the seat. After we got the pickup out, Jimmy waded back in to be sure our neighbors had gotten out. She had to be taken out in a canoe and Jimmy had to help her husband walk through the water. The water was up to my waist at that time. We had to wait out the flood by the clubhouse unable to get out until the water receded. The water went in the RV at the slides and maybe the door. Both the RV and the car were totaled. Locals that have lived there 30 years say they have never seen the water rise that fast. Apparently, all the rain from the Wimberley area came down the Blanco River and then backed up on the San Marcos River where we were. We were at the same spot we were at last year. It looks like the water rose about 40 feet. The river crested at 9:45 a.m. and then started going down. By about 11, we were able to go back into the fifth wheel with a layer of mud inside. The insurance has totaled the fifth wheel. We spent today getting stuff out and only cleared out the den and kitchen. We had no idea how much stuff you can fit inside until you have to start packing everything up. We still have the bedroom and basement. We're not sure when they will be towing it off, but we want to be sure we have everything out before they do. We're staying with our daughter right now in Austin...It looks like we'll be shopping for another RV."
Here are a couple of photos Peri sent over...

Jim & Peri's 5th wheel.
The high water mark on the side of their 5th wheel.
Our thoughts are with Peri and Jim while they deal with their loss. Tomorrow we will head up to San Marcos to help them finish packing.

We have been busy working. Once again, I have one day off this week. I will be working at the insurance office Monday through Wednesday, and at our RV park office from Thursday through Saturday this coming week. Bob has also been working long hours.

This morning Bob volunteered at a booth for Random event center at the American Diabetes Association's "Step Out Against Diabetes." The event featured a 5K run/walk, booths, vendors, rock-climbing wall, children's bounce house, and two stages with music.

After work, Bob took me to dinner at El Mirador Mexican restaurant just south of downtown San Antonio. The restaurant has a nice ambiance. I had Pollo a la Parilla with poblano sauce, Bob chose enchiladas verdes. The meal was very enjoyable. The Pollo a la Parilla was the tastier dish.

Tonight Bob we have the Trailblazers vs. Spurs game on TV. I don't know who to root for. We have been Trailblazer fans for 35 years. Now that we're Texans we'll have to root for BOTH. We'll be happy no matter who wins. Both teams are very evenly matched.

Travel Bug tuckered out.


14 comments:

  1. Wow - 13 inches of rain! That's incredible! What a bummer about your friend's car and RV.

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  2. what is it with floods in campgrounds this year? The picture you posted looks exactly like the flood we were in earlier this year in Indiana. Scary times for sure and yes, the water does come up really fast!

    Phil

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    1. I remember reading about your experience too. Mother Nature is a powerful force.

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  3. That's a horrible story that your friends dealt with. I can't imagine water rising that fast. It's nice of you to go and help them salvage their stuff. I hope they have good insurance and that it will cover the contents that are damaged.

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  4. curious as to which park they were in...

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    1. They were in Pecan Park Riverside RV Park and Cabins.

      Also hard hit was River Ranch RV Resort in New Braunfels, TX. River Ranch RV was in ExpressNews.com...there was also a photo in the San Antonio newspaper of two RVs that had been swept off their pads and collided in the trees.

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  5. Such a horrible reminder that the plans and efforts we make can be over in just a flash. Yes a powerful force indeed.

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  6. Wow that's scary! We feel so fortunate that we were able to get out of Colorado in time. Jppe your friends are able to get this all behind them soon.

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  7. I haven't been watching the news and didn't know about this. What a terrible thing. They lost their RV and their car. I wonder what the lesson here is? When in Texas if it rains heavily anywhere near you drive North right away? I sure hope they get enough for their loss to replace everything.

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  8. I remember camping at Blue Hole in Wimberly as a kid in our travel trailer, with my aunt, uncle and cousins in their camping unit with us. Evacuated in the night because of the threat of flash flooding. Scary. So very sorry for Peri and Jim, but glad you guys remained high and dry.

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  9. Glad you are safe. The COE park at Canyon Lake is one of our favorites.

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  10. What a shame about your friends 5th wheel. The weather just keeps being crazy. A side note, though about flooding. It makes sense that an RV is covered but if that had been a house, it would not of been covered without FEMA flood insurance (which a whole lot of people don't carry because it's expensive)

    I tried to get flood insurance when I lived in Dallas but my house didn't qualify because of it's elevation. Long story but my kitchen flooded due to the way the builder's built up the lot behind our house. The builder made the repairs...well after I got a lawyer to initiate a lawsuit.

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  11. OMG Susan. I had no idea how bad it was. So glad it happened in the daytime so they could all see to get out. Give Peri a hug for me.

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