The perfect storm? Well that�s what I figured was headed our way, as it seemed like our new life here in Greenville, Texas was somewhat threatened by hurricane Rita. All last week the predictions of hurricane Rita passing through Dallas resulted in precautions being carried out by many North-East Texans. Even where I work we were reviewing our lines of communication and our emergency policies for those who work on the weekend. While we are significant distance inland, and chances of it ever being stronger than a tropical storm by the time it got here, the threat of spawned tornadoes and flooding were on the forefront of everyone�s concerns. As Rita neared, those concerns grew as the predictions showed the hurricane’s path centered right over us, with the possibility of it stopping, right over us.
Rita stopping would have been a worst case scenario for us because of possible flooding. While the black Texas dirt can take a lot of rain, it can’t take that much. Fortunately, Rita started it’s turn to the east just before it really started to even touch us. Friday evening the sky was somewhat overcast with a little breeze most of the day. I realize I haven’t lived here very long but there was a ominous, and slightly grim feeling on the wind. On Saturday, the morning began with a slightly decent gust with the tails of the storm hitting us around 2p.m. It was kind of weird seeing the long string of clouds that stretched from one side of the horizon to the other, and then the dark black “wall” of a cloud that was the brunt of what we were going to see. While never having experienced anything close to a tropical storm or a hurricane, it was definately very interesting to see, even though it was only the very edge of the storm.
Rita’s turn to the east also ment, that Sunday was pretty much only day we say anything. That Sunday morning we awoke to one of the bluest skies we’ve seen since we’ve moved here, along with the return of the triple digit weather I’ve seen all summer long. So, as I’ve said, everything seems like it’s getting back to normal here. The city is still trying to help about 200 people who are currently living at the Hunt County Fair Grounds with local churches aiding in providing food and help. As far as I understand it, they are all people from New Orleans or Houston. Anyways, all of us are keeping our thoughts for everyone effected by both of these storms, and wish only the best for them.