Published on Truthout, 5 Sep 2017.

My mother and father live just north of Houston. Here is the rather cryptic text message my mother, sent me late Sunday night:

Lost power. Got generator running, fridge on, light, running small AC in morning. Tired. Staying upstairs to escape generator noise.

Trees down. Wind up. Waiting for daylight to use chainsaws. Front entrance flooded.

We are okay. Tired.

Love you,
Mom

Read the full story on Truthout.