I remember going through the HarveyRescue database updating rescue data, and seeing all the status updates. "Trapped in attic. No axe to cut through to roof." "Water levels rising; 2 people drowned already." Each one represented real people #HarveyVolunteer #RememberingHarvey 1/7
2/7 I clearly remember getting phone calls from terrified people who were trapped in their flooded homes, who didn't know if they were going to live or die. They'd heard of HarveyRescue, and were asking to be added to our rescue database. #HarveyVolunteer #RememberingHarvey 2/7
They kept trying to get through to 911 & other official channels, but they couldn't get through. Even though HarveyRescue was only volunteers, there were hundreds of us, and it seemed to mean so much to them that they could talk to someone #HarveyVolunteer #RememberingHarvey 3/7
And we could tell them specific things we were doing to help. We were adding their locations & needs to a database we were sharing with rescuers. We were adding them onto a map that nearby volunteer boat rescuers could access from the boats #HarveyVolunteer #RememberingHarvey 4/7
I'll never forget talking with them and hearing the terror in their voices, and trying to help reassure them from hundreds of miles away that they would be ok. And hearing their gratitude, even while they were still trapped. #HarveyVolunteer #RememberingHarvey 5/7
And calling back just to check and make sure they were hanging in there and to let them know that they weren't being forgotten and that we were making sure rescuers would be coming. #HarveyVolunteer #RememberingHarvey 6/7
And I will never forget getting texts from some of them that rescue boats had arrived, & that they were safe. I feel sure the ones I didn't hear back from were rescued, too, but I still think about them & hope they didn't have to wait long #HarveyVolunteer #RememberingHarvey 7/7
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