I have posted similar stories in the past, but with Hurricane Harvey pounding the Texas coastline I thought it presented a good occasion to relive my past.
I drove for Wal-Mart Transportation from 1997 until 2010 when I was forced to retire with back problems. It was a job I really enjoyed since everyday was different and challenging....especially during emergencies.
I was part of the fleet to assist when Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike played havoc with the Gulf Coast...
During times of extreme emergencies FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) knows they can depend on Wal-Mart to provide relief to stricken areas. This photo was taken just days ago as supplies were transported to South Texas in anticipation of Hurricane Harvey's arrival.
They all seem to merge after the years, but after Ike or Rita FEMA had the Wal-Mart Fleet trucks assemble at Reliant Stadium in Houston to be dispatched to areas of concern. Each truck had a state trooper or sheriff's car assigned to it, and we were escorted with red lights flashing all the way to our destination.
There were other trucks also called in to deal with the huge problem of supplying communities that had survived the ordeal and now were without essential services of electricity and water. Johnson and Johnson, Ozarka, Campbells Soups, and many other companies came through with sizable donations to the effort. The Department of Transportation told us drivers to forget about log books and we were exempt from the limited number of hours we could drive. This was a life and death situation and one many of us would never forget.
My first load was a trailer filled with water (Ozarka) and I took it to the small town of Splendora, Texas just north of Houston. The community didn't even have a Wal-Mart Store and a crowd of a few hundred people were at the city hall looking for assistance. They broke out in cheers when they saw the Wal-Mart truck coming. I honked my air-horn to get even more attention. While police cruisers went up and down local streets to inform people that fresh water was available at city hall, a group of individuals tried to unload the water right from the trailer. Luckily for us, one local businessman had a bobcat to help with the unloading process.
Members of the local football team and FFA chapter put a case of water in the trunk of each car that passed by the city hall. Other trailers had Huggies diapers (J&J) for those with infants in the family.
My second load went to Morgan City, Louisiana and as I made my way to that store I passed small boats and yachts stuck in treetops some 30-35 feet up in the air. New Orleans and Morgan City are both some 10-15 feet below sea level and really took it tough when the levees were unable to hold back Lake Pontchartrain on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. The Wal-Mart store was flooded but store employees were outside and ready to lend a hand in unloading the trailer and giving out supplies...
The transportation fleet was not the only group of heroes in action after the storm. I passed this scene many times as I made my way to various stores with supplies. The power/electrical guys were trying their best to restore power to the area. Some families were without electricity for weeks after all three hurricanes that I worked. It was not unusual to spot trucks from as far away as Missouri, Tennessee, and Iowa that came down to assist with the gigantic problem. The Red Cross was also everywhere making sure all of the workers and drivers had food to keep them going.
Sack lunches included a sandwich, apple or orange, candy bar, and a bag of chips. Doesn't sound like much now, but at the time it sure hit the spot with a cup of hot coffee.
I was also dispatched to a Wal-Mart store in Chalmette, Louisiana, but when I arrived the store was completely gone... Nothing but a concrete slab was left as the giant wall of water took the store away. Store employees showed up to assist with handing out blankets and water to survivors of the storm.
I was privileged to be among the helpers of three hurricanes, so I know the current members of the Wal-Mart Fleet are already doing what is necessary to assist South Texas as Hurricane Harvey slowly makes his way out of the state. Drive safe drivers.. others are depending on your arrival with the essentials of life. God Bless you all...
No comments:
Post a Comment