Viene un Tormento

A Storm is Coming

Hurricane Rita appears to be aiming for the central Texas coast, and just made Cat 5.  Our house will be expecting anywhere from one to three guests this weekend, not including animals, and depending on the projected landfall.  Right now, it looks to be headed for a relatively less populated section of coast.  Given the coastal population migration of the past few decades, however, I’m not sure how much of a difference that makes.  It has been decades since a really big storm has hit this part of the world, and people have forgotten why it’s not always a good idea to put buildings on islands that are nothing but giant sandbars.

Luckily, Austin has found non-emergency housing for all but the worst-off of the Katrina refugees that came here.  There will at least be emergency shelter available for people, but I gather hotel accommodations are impossible to find.  Not only do we have people evacuating inland, but the Austin City Limits music festival is this weekend.

We’re way far away from the coast, of course.  If the thing swings east of here, which is what most of the projections look like, it will probably be no big deal.  If it jogs to the west, however, we could get a ton of rain.  Central Texas is supposed to be the flash flood capital of the world (that’s why so many of the roads have big rulers next to them - so you can tell how deep the water is).  Whenever the creek beds fill up, there are always some people who are convinced they can go through 3 feet of water because they are driving a Cadillac and are therefore important.  There are also always some people who decide that high water is a good time to go tubing down the river.  One is sorely tempted to mutter “natural selection,” and turn off the TV – I guess that is not a terribly Christ-like response.  Act of Contrition to follow…

Our Lady’s and St. Francis both just did some collecting and fund raising for the Katrina victims; looks like we’ll be doing it again for our fellow countrymen.  With all due respect to those that were involved, I can’t help expecting (and certainly hoping) that Texas will handle things better than Louisiana did.  Even so, the darned thing is likely to make a heck of a mess.  Prayers for all concerned – and especially the soldiers and emergency personnel – would be appreciated.

For this place, for every city and country place and the faithful dwelling in them, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.For favorable weather, the abundance of the fruits of the earth, and for peaceful time, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.For the travelers by sea, air, and land, for the sick, the suffering, for those in prison, and their salvation. Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.For our deliverance from all affliction, wrath, danger, and need, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by your grace. Lord, have mercy.