Hurricane PTSD- One Man's Journey To Hell And Back (The Graphic Edition)

An awful story's MUCH better with pictures, right?

Earlier today, I posted a newsletter discussing my trip back to Houston after Hurricane Ike in 2008. After some searching, I finally found at least some pictures I took of my first trip to Galveston Island- 14 years ago today. These will give you some idea of what I saw and experienced as well as what a powerful hurricane can do.

When I took most of these shots, I wasn’t trying to be an artistic photographer. But, quite frankly, I was in shock most of the time I was on the island. Though I’ve lived and worked in a couple of war zones, I’d never seen anything like what I saw in Galveston.

Sailboats were everywhere- except in the marinas where you’d expect them to be moored.

This shell was a gift shop before the hurricane. How it managed to withstand hurricane-force winds and a 12’-14’ storm surge, given its relatively flimsy footing, defies understanding. Yet there it is. The city eventually knocked it down, and I’m not sure what replaced it, but I was impressed that it withstood the battering it took.

The storm surge could knock down the gift shop, but it could twist wrought-iron railing as if they were licorice. It takes tremendous force to bend something sturdy like that, but think what that might have done to a human body.

And then there was the garbage. It seemed (and smelled) as if it was everywhere. The island had a rat problem for weeks after the hurricane. I’m just glad I wasn’t around after dark.

There are more pictures, but perhaps after these shots, you might understand why I hope I never see anything like it again.