Over a week ago, Hurricane Harvey barrelled through Texas leaving behind a massive trail of devastation that will total in the billions when all is said and done. Throughout that time, we have been witnessing extraordinary acts by people. Houston was hit particularly hard by some of the worst flooding we have ever seen.
The New York Times reports that Harvey affected much of southeast Texas, but that Houston, the fourth-largest city in America, was hit especially hard.
Houston is the most populous city in the southern United States. It has notoriously flat topography, making it vulnerable to flooding.
Thousands have been affected by the flood, and those who are less fit and able remain especially vulnerable — like the senior citizens rescued from waist-deep water in their nursing home.
Dogs have also been trapped by the flood. Many people have fought to evacuate with their pets, but others have been forced to leave beloved pooches behind, often with a sign to alert rescuers.
Lucky for the dogs, there are plenty of people who are hard at work, making sure that no dog gets left behind.
This incredible photo was shared on Facebook’s Love What Matters page by a woman named Betty Walter.
She writes:
To these amazing guys that helped me and some of my neighbor’s dogs that I rescued. I was worried there were too many dogs on the boat and it would tip over. I told them I would stay behind and for them to make 2 trips.
They said, ‘NO, we are taking all of you.’ We had 21 dogs on this boat. No place for any humans on this boat. We had to walk in water over my head to get out.
The team refused to leave Betty, who selflessly offered to stay behind for a second trip back.
The photo has made quite a buzz on Facebook, and users are quick to send warm wishes:
I can’t LOVE this post enough. Thank you to ALL for saving lives…. 2 legged and 4 legged! May God Bless you forever.
Your good karma will be returned. Thank you! We are collecting supplies for our animal friends here in Colorado to send down your way.
The New York Times reports:
A woman in Corpus Christi said on Twitter that she took in her neighbor’s dog left in the backyard. A photographer for The Daily Mail rescued a dog he found chained to a pole in Victoria, waters rising around him, the paper reported. In Dickinson, a CNN reporter spotted two retrievers abandoned in a boat.
FOX 26 Houston also covered the story and gave helpful information about the work, which is far from done:
INCREDIBLE DOG RESCUE: Betty Walter and a team of neighbors and volunteers rescued 21 dogs from floodwaters. BUT there are others that still need help! Tall Tails Rescue and Transport and 70+ of their evacuated dogs are at Whites Park Pavillion, I-10 East, Exit 61, Anahuac. They need food for themselves and the dogs, bowls, leashes, and clothing. Their remaining 15-20 dogs and 6 pigs are at 413 Speights Loop Rd, Hankamer, TX 77560. Stranded after dam release upriver.
Don’t worry, the cats are being shown the same amount of love and are being rescued. Rescuers are doing everything they can to rescue every animal they come across.
If you want to help the cause, consider donating time, money, or supplies to one of the many relief organization helping out the people of Texas.
The Red Cross and the SPCA of Texas are both taking disaster-relief donations, as are many other smaller organizations. You can find a more extensive list of relief organizations here.
H/T LittleThings
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