[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 166 (Friday, October 5, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1379-E1380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CITY OF HUMBLE FIRST RESPONDERS--TEXANS SERVING TEXANS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, last year, Humble, Texas suffered a 
historic flood, one that devastated the entire town. At the height of 
the flood, the San Jacinto River Bridge was completely submerged, 
cutting off passage between Humble and Kingwood. To put it in 
perspective, 27 trillion gallons of rain fell over Texas. That is 
enough water to fill the Houston Astrodome 85,000 times. Folks had 
anywhere between 36 and 52 inches of rain. The Humble area recorded 
around 40 inches of rain. Humble was hammered by this flood.
  On Friday, August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall on the 
Texas Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane. The Texas air just felt 
different that Friday, ominous. Those of you who have been through a 
hurricane will understand what I am saying. The air pressure dropped 
and a breeze out of nowhere appeared. In August we don't get a breeze! 
This was the first evident sign that the storm was headed our way.
  As I left a meeting in downtown Houston, I decided I better call my 
staff and check in. I encouraged them to leave early, grab some 
supplies, and hunker down for the weekend. As I began my commute back 
to Humble, I called my friend, Merle Aaron. Mayor Aaron could tell me 
what I needed to hear about preparations in and around the city as the 
storm approaches. We talked a long time; he mentioned that the police 
and fire were prepared for extended weekend shifts. Little did we know 
about the nightmare that was coming for Humble later that weekend.
  The rains and floods ravaged the city. By Sunday night, Humble's 
first responders were evacuating folks from their homes and 
transporting them to shelters. Roads were shut down due to high water 
and some homes were knocked off their foundations. First responders 
began search and rescue missions. They worked with other agencies in 
boats in the high water areas. They also maintained a presence in order 
to keep looters out of the flooded businesses. During the weeks 
following, there were no serious incidents from looters.
  The first responders proved crucial during the aftermath of Hurricane 
Harvey. I cannot stress enough its role in providing a swift response 
during the immediate aftermath and a strong presence during the cleanup 
phases.
  Later that week, I witnessed the devastation first hand as I rode 
with Mayor Aaron in his pickup truck through a neighborhood behind

[[Page E1380]]

Deerbrook Mall called Northshire. Over 300 homes were flooded with 4-
6ft of water. The roads were impassable and protected by Humble Police. 
First responders waved us through and immediately I could not be more 
proud of my city's response during the worst natural disasters to ever 
affect Texans. Among the piles of garbage, and stench of rot, folks had 
spray painted signs that said, ``We love Humble Police'' and ``Thank 
you first responders''. It was an overwhelming display of gratitude 
toward our first responders.
  The City of Humble responders worked tirelessly around the clock for 
many days to protect its citizens. The stories following Hurricane 
Harvey give folks the determination to recover from the nightmare they 
endured that weekend.
  Harvey will not defeat the City of Humble--they proved to be Texas 
Strong.
  And that's just the way it is.

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