Writes Todd P McAdams:

Dear  Lew,

That’s just one example of thousands. I saw three young white men (not national guardsmen, coast guardsmen, policemen or firemen) rescue an older black gentleman yesterday by taking their boat out to his truck that was flooded up to his windows.  They pulled him out, then backed their truck into the water, swam out to his truck with a chain, went underwater and hooked the chain to his truck, then one climbed into the cab and shifted the gear out of park, then hauled his truck out of water.  And they’d been at it all day.  This was on the news; those boys were down at Hwy 59 and Will Clayton on the eastside of 59 by the new gas station there.  Will Clayton takes you to Bush Intercontinental Airport to the west.

I don’t know if you’re familiar with the Cleveland area (Tom Woods gave a speech here a couple of years ago, I think with Debra Medina present but I could be mistaken).  Cleveland is about 45 miles north of Downtown Houston.  Hwy 105 has an overpass just south of Cleveland.  A guy did a Facebook livestream earlier today from the overpass showing that 59 to the south and north was completely underwater.  I’ve never seen the flooding get that bad in all my life, and this is my lifelong home.

A guy I grew up with put his boat in the water and is rescuing people in Splendora, just south of Cleveland.  Splendora has always been very prone to flooding.  I wish my dad’s boat was in working order so we could help people as well.

The “Cajun Navy” is on its way, and Houstonians are grateful for it.  I have family down there that are stranded, but so far they are not in need of rescue.  They live off of I-10 and it’s underwater.

They’re also grateful for the coast guardsmen, national guardsmen, state military men, policemen and firemen that, as well, have demonstrated bravery and service on behalf of their fellow citizens.  The flood waters are full of chemicals, but there’s nothing more “toxic” in them right now than all this masculinity.  You don’t have to be a believer in government, big or small, to appreciate chivalry and manliness.  How nice to not hear the media continuing its two minutes of hate against men!  And it’s all kinds of men.  A black sheriff’s deputy was carrying two small white children to safety from a flooded home in Cypress.  That’s a touching photo if you can find it.  I heard he was off duty when he did that.  It takes guts: there are vipers and gators in those swamp waters, plus debris, chemicals, sewage, and who knows what.

The Weather Channel and local news stations have been hitching rides on fishing boats turned into rescue boats since the flooding began.  Good ol’ country boys have often been leading those efforts, their warm, compassionate Southern accents on proud display.  Fitness nut yuppies with their kayaks and canoes are rescuing people as well.

It’s amazing to me how people can and will come together when there’s a REAL crisis that needs to be addressed.  I don’t think that’s necessarily unique to the west, or to what has always been a multi-cultural, multi-racial society undergirded by Biblical, Christian values here in Texas, but it’s heartwarming to see, and the lone piece of optimism we’ve had since this all began.  And, I’d like to think that what virtues Americans, and particularly Southerners—especially Texans—have by the grace of God and His word makes us all the more equipped and ready to help our brothers in Adam when they’re in need.

We will do what we can.  A relief shelter has been set up in Coldspring, a small town nearby.  Most of the people that fled there have only the clothes on their back and need supplies.  My family is taking a small donation up there.

Thanks for thinking of us, Lew.  Glad to hear that Dr. Paul is okay.