Rescue Cindie

The Addicks Reservoir crested above its 108-foot lip spilling into surrounding neighborhoods on Monday, August 28, 2017. Just after 1 pm EST, it stood at 108.51 feet. According to the Houston Press, the water level had been rising 4 inches an hour. At 10:59 pm EST, the warning to evacuate was given. But it was too late, more than 17,000 Texans were displaced and trying to find safety in shelters.

Cindie was one of them. On Monday around 6:30 pm she texted, “now it is really bad with water up and over my sidewalk.” “It’s a lake outside… they released Addicks dam 3pm… keeps creeping up.” By 8:00 pm, the message was, “pray for us… all we have left… couldn’t make it past shrub out front. Going to bed… don’t want to know any more.” Communication faultered leaving me with my own thoughts of destruction and devastation. At 11:45, she threw her feet over the edge of the bed and water was up to her ankles. The voice message with tears and trembling voice, “Well, honey, I’ve lost everything; (hiccup) everything.” By the time I could get back to her, she had made it to an upstairs neighbor, who had graciously taken her in. Cindie was rescued by heroic volunteers by kayak and taken to a local church along with her cats, Fionna and Bentley.

Cindie is not just one of more than 17,000 people who were impacted by this devastating storm. She is my sister; she is a grandmother, a mother, an aunt, a niece, a friend, and a woman who would give the shirt off her back if you needed it. She is single, senior woman who has struggled to maintain the status quo and has lost everything. As of today, Saturday, September 2, 2017, she is still unable to get to her condo as it is still under many feet of water and may well be for weeks to come.

Please open your heart and help Cindie with any donation you can provide. Whatever the amount, it will help tremendously.

The funds will be used by Cindie to cover any housing expenses and cost of daily living, including but not limited to replacing clothing and other necessities.