2020 has altered many vacation plans, graduations, weddings, and even birthdays.
Pam and Ed Richard, like many residents, have been following social-distancing guidelines since March to help limit the spread of the coronavirus. As with many families, the Richards were aching to see family. They decided to take advantage of everyone’s good health to visit family in Louisiana. In planning for the visit, they booked a hotel, creating a social bubble helping them feel comfortable interacting with Ed’s brother, his wife, and children.
Ed and Pam Richards celebrate their return to Sun City after Hurricane Delta curbed their travel plans. (Photo by Christine Such/Sun Day)
But the weather decided to play a role in the family get together.
Pam said, “We got there late on October sixth and checked into our hotel and we went over to see the family the next afternoon.”
Ed said, “We were watching the weather constantly. We saw so much devastation from the last storm. Roofs covered with blue tarps, trees knocked down, and insulation all over.”
For the sixth time in the Atlantic hurricane season, people in Louisiana were preparing for a storm. Hurricane Delta, a record-tying fourth was advancing to strike Louisiana. Delta became a Category 4 hurricane within 28 hours of attaining tropical storm status.
“Everyone decided to leave town and go west. We cut our visit short and prepared to leave the next day, October eighth. We stopped and quickly said our goodbyes. They met us outside and then we headed out,” Ed said.
Pam said, “The three-day planned visit was shortened to a few hours. The challenge was to find a place to go. We had a hard time finding accommodations. We spent 11 hours escaping the hurricane with a gazillion other people. The main highways were jammed. About 260 miles later we have landed in Huntsville, Texas.”
Residents and visitors were once more fleeing the state’s barrier islands and sailing boats to the safe harbor while emergency officials were considering ordering evacuations.
Ed said, “There was just one way out of town. We were on Highway 10 headed west. No major roads were going south. Rivers and bayous were barriers to major roads and would have required numerous bridges.”
Pam said, “Once we got on the road, it was like a parking lot.”
The route contained few places to stop or grab something to eat.
What about the relatives?
Ed said, “They didn’t want to leave. They chose to stay.”
The saga did eventually end, however.
Pam said,” We reached our destination on high ground about 80 miles from Houston, Texas. We were safe but the storm was headed right at Ed brother’s home. When we left his home, they did not seem concerned about anything, having been through so many of these storms. However, this one was centered on them. But they are okay. The storm did not damage their home, although a few towns over, there was damage from Delta.”
While that was a relief to the Richards, that wasn’t their final destination.
Ed said, “The weather was beautiful in Texas, but we were glad to head back to Sun City.”
