Three and a half years after Harvey, many flood victims are still not “getting over it.” Physically, financially, and emotionally. I’ve interviewed people who:
Can no longer sleep during rains.
Break down crying when they attempt to retell their experiences.
Exhausted their life savings, 401Ks, and kids’ college funds trying to rebuild homes.
Claim they’re “past it” with thinly disguised rage in their voices.
Turn every conversation toward their losses.
You can’t just tell such people to “get over it; move on with your life.” That simply angers them and drives a wedge between the two of you.
Residents trying to escape as Harvey’s floodwaters rose into Kingwood Village Estates, a senior living center. 12 residents died as a result of Harvey. Six from injuries sustained during evacuation and six from stress after returning to find their homes destroyed.
So, what do you tell them? The following may help.
The website Medical News Today cautions, “Trauma can have long-term effects on the person’s well-being. If symptoms persist and do not decrease in severity, it can indicate that the trauma has developed into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” a condition that afflicts approximately 6.8% of the U.S. population at some point during a person’s lifetime.
According to Janice Costa, one of Kingwood’s leading psychotherapists, “The people whose homes flooded definitely experienced trauma. Some developed PTSD and some didn’t for various reasons. “Trauma often goes against a person’s beliefs,” says Costa. For instance, the belief that you’re safe in your own home. “People react differently to traumatic events. For instance, neighbors who lived through Harvey might respond very differently to the same event,” said Costa.
“Trauma can be caused by something a person sees, physical or sexual abuse, an act of nature, the list goes on,” says Costa. “Many people who go through trauma wish they could just get over it. Some people resolve trauma without professional help, but many live with the effects until they get help.
Costa suggests that several popular treatments can help resolve trauma. They include:
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) works on the basis that the way we think and interpret life’s events affects how we behave and, ultimately, how we feel.
Trauma Resolution Therapy (TRT): Desensitization to the traumatic event occurs as the client systematically faces and works through the memory repeatedly.
“One of the keys in treating trauma and PTSD is to emotionally share the experience with a person in the emotional depth that they experienced the trauma.”
Janice Costa, Psychotherapist
This, of course, works best with those who have good support networks. One of the risk factors for developing PTSD is having little support after the trauma. Other risk factors include:
Previous trauma
Physical pain or injury
Dealing with other stressors at the same time, such as financial difficulty
Previous anxiety or depression
After going through TWO of the worst floods in North American history in the last 3.5 years, I’m sure we all know people experiencing several of those who could use help “getting over it.”
Posted by Bob Rehak based on input from Janice Costa
1260 Days after Hurricane Harvey and 509 since Imelda
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/KVE-2017-Flood.jpg?fit=1500%2C968&ssl=19681500adminadmin2021-02-09 16:15:112021-02-09 19:11:33“Getting Over It”
“At this time we can’t support the use of DFCs for subsidence in Montgomery County,” said James Beach, an engineering consultant for LSGWCD.
It’s unclear who authorized the consultant to make this statement. Those who follow LSGWCD meetings cannot remember the board discussing such a statement in any open meeting.
Bad Timing
This comes two monthsbefore a deadline to finalize DFCs for the entire GMA and two years after the debate about subsidence started. Since 2018, LSGCD and GMA 14 partners have debated various groundwater withdrawal/subsidence scenarios.
Run D was the most popular scenario for a long time. It called for leaving 70% of groundwater in place and causing no more than 1 foot of subsidence. However, withdrawing 30% of groundwater produced far more subsidence in Harris County.
The same models showed 2.5 feet of subsidence in south Montgomery County.
GMA 14 covers most of southeast Texas. It includes 19 counties clustered into 7 groundwater conservation districts. Rules adopted by the group apply to every conservation district and county in the area.
Members of GMA 14
LSGWCD has argued in favor of virtually unlimited groundwater pumping ever since its board became elected. Quadvest, a large, private water producer in Montgomery County successfully backed candidates running for the LSGWCD board on a platform of “restoring affordable water.” Both the Board and Quadvest have argued ever since – contrary to scientific evidence – that subsidence is not an issue in Montgomery County. They even produced a study (Phase One) to prove the point. It basically amounted to a survey of scientific literature mashed up with public comments.
Compaction data of various aquifers in Montgomery County.
Not mentioning well-known limitations on use of models for Montgomery County aquifers.
Focusing more on subsidence in Harris and Galveston Counties than on subsidence in Montgomery County.
The HARC Study also points out limitations on the use of data in LSGCD’s Phase One study. For instance, the latter was:
Primarily a survey of scientific literature, not conditions in Montgomery County.
It didn’t discuss drought.
Nor did it discuss oil and gas production.
It drew unjustified conclusions from limited data.
The language was imprecise and subjective.
It relied more on public comment than scientific data.
To read the full Phase 1 report and an Executive Summary, follow the links at the bottom of their Subsidence Page.https://www.lonestargcd.org/subsidence
Two Subsidence-Related Items On LSGWCD Agenda for Tuesday
14. Receive information from District’s technical consultants regarding subsidence studies and/or discussion regarding the same –Samantha Stried Reiter and/or District’s technical consultant(s)
a) Discussion, consideration, and possible action to approve Subsidence Study Phase 2 Scope of Work.
15. Groundwater Management Area 14 – update the board on the issues related to joint planning activities and development of desired future conditions in GMA 14 – Samantha Reiter and/or District’s technical consultant(s)
a) Discussion, consideration, and possible action on any items related to Lone Star GCD’s proposal(s) to and/or participation in GMA 14.
Re: the second point, a water expert I queried said there is no way LSGWCD can opt out of GMA 14. The reference is likely to whether they want to participate financially with other groundwater conservation districts in funding the operations of GMA 14.
How to Attend In Person or Online
In-Person Participation
If you choose to participate in person, you WILL have the opportunity to provide live comments during the designated portion of the hearings or meeting.
If you choose to participate via the Zoom webinar link below, you WILL have the opportunity to provide live comments during the designated portion of the hearings or meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. You can pre-register for the webinar at any time.
Password: Received via pre-registration
If you choose to participate in the webinar via the Zoom App, you will need to pre- register via the URL meeting link above to get a password emailed to you in advance of the webinar. You will use the password emailed to you during pre- registration when you log into the app to join the webinar. You WILL have the opportunity to provide live comments during the designated portion of the hearings or meeting.
Participation via the videoconference webinar is not required and only necessary if you plan to make public comment during any hearing or the meeting. If you plan to make public comment during any hearing or meeting, please contact the District at (936) 494-3436 or info@lonestargcd.org to register as a speaker during public comment.
Please indicate whether you would like to make public comment during the management plan hearing, permit hearing and/or board meeting. You must also register as a speaker when logging into the webinar by providing your name and email address. You can pre-register for the webinar. Any person participating in the meeting must be recognized and identified by a moderator before they speak.
Watching or Listening but Not Commenting
LISTENING/WATCHING BUT NO PARTICIPATION IN LIVE PUBLIC COMMENT If you do NOT want to make live public comment and/or you choose to participate in the public hearings and meeting using the conference call number or live broadcast link below, you will NOT have the opportunity to provide live comments during the designated portion of the hearings and meeting. The conference call phone number is provided for LISTENING PURPOSES ONLY, and the live broadcast link is provided for LISTENING AND WATCHING PURPOSES ONLY.
Telephone conference call phone number: +1 346-248-7799 Meeting ID: 886 2954 3383# You will then be prompted to enter a participation code or press #. Press #. You do not need a participation code. Live broadcast of the hearings and meeting via the link below or on the meetings tab on the District’s website at https://www.lonestargcd.org/meetings
One thing is for sure. The next two months will be exciting.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/8/2021
1259 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201120-GMA14_GCD.jpg?fit=1200%2C927&ssl=19271200adminadmin2021-02-08 21:27:442021-02-09 07:14:36LSGWCD Rejects Subsidence Limit as Any Part of Desired Future Conditions
The New York Times, Associated Press, France 24 and IndiaToday have reported a freak flash flood in northern India. It happened near the Himalayas after a portion of a glacier broke away and released pent up water.
The Times said, “Unconfirmed videos on social media showed violent surges of water heading down mountain gorges, washing away bridges and what looked like hydroelectric structures.”
Associated Press reported that the flood killed at least 9 people. They reported 140 missing. “The flood was caused when a portion of Nanda Devi glacier broke off in the Tapovan area of the northern state of Uttarakhand on Sunday morning. A video shared by officials and taken from the side of steep hillside shows a wall of water surging into one of the dams and breaking it into pieces with little resistance before continuing to roar downstream,” said the AP story.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Glacier-Flash-Flood-in-India.jpg?fit=1200%2C732&ssl=17321200adminadmin2021-02-07 10:27:592021-02-07 10:37:19More Than 140 Missing After Freak Flash Flood in India
“Getting Over It”
Three and a half years after Harvey, many flood victims are still not “getting over it.” Physically, financially, and emotionally. I’ve interviewed people who:
You can’t just tell such people to “get over it; move on with your life.” That simply angers them and drives a wedge between the two of you.
So, what do you tell them? The following may help.
“An Emotional Response to a Terrible Event”
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma is “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster.”
The website Medical News Today cautions, “Trauma can have long-term effects on the person’s well-being. If symptoms persist and do not decrease in severity, it can indicate that the trauma has developed into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” a condition that afflicts approximately 6.8% of the U.S. population at some point during a person’s lifetime.
According to Janice Costa, one of Kingwood’s leading psychotherapists, “The people whose homes flooded definitely experienced trauma. Some developed PTSD and some didn’t for various reasons. “Trauma often goes against a person’s beliefs,” says Costa. For instance, the belief that you’re safe in your own home. “People react differently to traumatic events. For instance, neighbors who lived through Harvey might respond very differently to the same event,” said Costa.
In a previous interview, Costa said it often depends on whether the individual could find something good in the negative experience. Did insurance help them fix a home already badly in need of renovation? Did they make new friends with people who shared similar plights?
Getting Over It
“Trauma can be caused by something a person sees, physical or sexual abuse, an act of nature, the list goes on,” says Costa. “Many people who go through trauma wish they could just get over it. Some people resolve trauma without professional help, but many live with the effects until they get help.
Costa suggests that several popular treatments can help resolve trauma. They include:
This, of course, works best with those who have good support networks. One of the risk factors for developing PTSD is having little support after the trauma. Other risk factors include:
After going through TWO of the worst floods in North American history in the last 3.5 years, I’m sure we all know people experiencing several of those who could use help “getting over it.”
Posted by Bob Rehak based on input from Janice Costa
1260 Days after Hurricane Harvey and 509 since Imelda
LSGWCD Rejects Subsidence Limit as Any Part of Desired Future Conditions
The Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGWCD) thumbed its nose at the rest of Southeast Texas when it rejected any mention of subsidence limitations in “desired future conditions (DFCs)” for Montgomery County. The statement came two hours, seven minutes and 15 seconds into a Groundwater Management Area (GMA) 14 meeting last month.
It’s unclear who authorized the consultant to make this statement. Those who follow LSGWCD meetings cannot remember the board discussing such a statement in any open meeting.
Bad Timing
This comes two months before a deadline to finalize DFCs for the entire GMA and two years after the debate about subsidence started. Since 2018, LSGCD and GMA 14 partners have debated various groundwater withdrawal/subsidence scenarios.
GMA 14 covers most of southeast Texas. It includes 19 counties clustered into 7 groundwater conservation districts. Rules adopted by the group apply to every conservation district and county in the area.
LSGWCD has argued in favor of virtually unlimited groundwater pumping ever since its board became elected. Quadvest, a large, private water producer in Montgomery County successfully backed candidates running for the LSGWCD board on a platform of “restoring affordable water.” Both the Board and Quadvest have argued ever since – contrary to scientific evidence – that subsidence is not an issue in Montgomery County. They even produced a study (Phase One) to prove the point. It basically amounted to a survey of scientific literature mashed up with public comments.
HARC Study Points Out Limitations of LSGWCD Study
However, a report issued today by HARC calls several of the report’s conclusions “misleading” regarding:
The HARC Study also points out limitations on the use of data in LSGCD’s Phase One study. For instance, the latter was:
To read the full Phase 1 report and an Executive Summary, follow the links at the bottom of their Subsidence Page.https://www.lonestargcd.org/subsidence
Two Subsidence-Related Items On LSGWCD Agenda for Tuesday
LSGWCD will hold a board meeting Tuesday night starting at 6 pm. The agenda contains two related items.
Re: the second point, a water expert I queried said there is no way LSGWCD can opt out of GMA 14. The reference is likely to whether they want to participate financially with other groundwater conservation districts in funding the operations of GMA 14.
How to Attend In Person or Online
In-Person Participation
If you choose to participate in person, you WILL have the opportunity to provide live comments during the designated portion of the hearings or meeting.
Online Participation
If you choose to participate via the Zoom webinar link below, you WILL have the opportunity to provide live comments during the designated portion of the hearings or meeting.
If you choose to participate in the webinar via the Zoom App, you will need to pre- register via the URL meeting link above to get a password emailed to you in advance of the webinar. You will use the password emailed to you during pre- registration when you log into the app to join the webinar. You WILL have the opportunity to provide live comments during the designated portion of the hearings or meeting.
Participation via the videoconference webinar is not required and only necessary if you plan to make public comment during any hearing or the meeting. If you plan to make public comment during any hearing or meeting, please contact the District at (936) 494-3436 or info@lonestargcd.org to register as a speaker during public comment.
Please indicate whether you would like to make public comment during the management plan hearing, permit hearing and/or board meeting. You must also register as a speaker when logging into the webinar by providing your name and email address. You can pre-register for the webinar. Any person participating in the meeting must be recognized and identified by a moderator before they speak.
Watching or Listening but Not Commenting
LISTENING/WATCHING BUT NO PARTICIPATION IN LIVE PUBLIC COMMENT
If you do NOT want to make live public comment and/or you choose to participate in the public hearings and meeting using the conference call number or live broadcast link below, you will NOT have the opportunity to provide live comments during the designated portion of the hearings and meeting. The conference call phone number is provided for LISTENING PURPOSES ONLY, and the live broadcast link is provided for LISTENING AND WATCHING PURPOSES ONLY.
You can submit written comments in advance to info@lonestargcd.org.
Telephone conference call phone number: +1 346-248-7799 Meeting ID: 886 2954 3383#
You will then be prompted to enter a participation code or press #. Press #. You do not need a participation code.
Live broadcast of the hearings and meeting via the link below or on the meetings tab on the District’s website at https://www.lonestargcd.org/meetings
Live Broadcast Link:https://lonestargcd.new.swagit.com/views/58
To Learn More About the Implications of Subsidence
ReduceFlooding.com has posted several times about subsidence in south Montgomery and North Harris Counties. See:
Those Who Deny History are Doomed to Repeat It: Subsidence in 1974 and 2019
Someone’s Trying to Tilt Lake Houston Toward Your House
Truth is the First Casualty in Water Wars, Too
MoCo Water War Escalates, Putting Millions in Crossfire
Fault Movement and Property Damage Linked to Aquifer Depletion in Montgomery County
One thing is for sure. The next two months will be exciting.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/8/2021
1259 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
More Than 140 Missing After Freak Flash Flood in India
The New York Times, Associated Press, France 24 and IndiaToday have reported a freak flash flood in northern India. It happened near the Himalayas after a portion of a glacier broke away and released pent up water.
The Times said, “Unconfirmed videos on social media showed violent surges of water heading down mountain gorges, washing away bridges and what looked like hydroelectric structures.”
Associated Press reported that the flood killed at least 9 people. They reported 140 missing. “The flood was caused when a portion of Nanda Devi glacier broke off in the Tapovan area of the northern state of Uttarakhand on Sunday morning. A video shared by officials and taken from the side of steep hillside shows a wall of water surging into one of the dams and breaking it into pieces with little resistance before continuing to roar downstream,” said the AP story.
To see a video shared on YouTube by France 24, a French public broadcast service, click here or on the image below.
A longer video on IndiaToday shows roiling water splashing hundreds of feet up on canyon walls.
Rescue teams from India and Tibet have rushed to the scene. Towns and villages downstream are being evacuated.
While we don’t have any glaciers in Texas, we do experience flash flooding. This dramatizes how flooding anywhere can change lives in an instant.
To learn more about different types of flooding, view this presentation by the National Weather Service.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 2/7/2020
1258 Days after Hurricane Harvey