Finding Hope

Carl Long

Carl Long an Air Force veteran living in Beaumont, TX, reflects on how Team Rubicon volunteers stepped in to help him recover after Hurricane Harvey.

I’ve lived in this house for 16 years and it’s the first flood I’ve ever experienced. We heard it wasn’t going to be a big deal, so we weren’t worried. When the notice to evacuate came, we suddenly had two hours to get out. We grabbed the few things we could, and we left.

We ended up with six feet of water inside the house. It looked like a tornado had come through. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it – I was devastated. Everything was turned over, furniture and appliances were in the wrong room. My grandkids came and helped carry stuff outside, but they had to go back to school.

I was a wreck; felt like there was no way I’d get through this. When Team Rubicon showed up I was amazed at how quickly these guys got to work. They said hello, filed in and just started tearing the walls down, taking the mess out to the street.

Volunteers spent two days clearing the home.

In a matter of hours, I felt the hopelessness slip away; I knew I’d get through it.

I don’t know how to explain this, but they didn’t just save my house—these men and women saved my life.

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