“Hurricane” Author Forced to Evacuate Houston Area As Rita Closed In

“Hurricane” Author Forced to Evacuate Houston Area As Rita Closed In

Spring, Texas. Janice Thompson, a Houston native and author of the 2004 novel, “Hurricane” recently found herself an evacuee as Rita swept ashore along the Texas/Louisiana coast. Thompson, whose novel chronicles the story of the great Galveston hurricane of 1900, sat glued to the news in the days leading up to Rita’s landfall, mesmerized by the irony of events taking place in her life.
“As the author of a book about the largest natural disaster in American history, I knew the possibility of a catastrophic storm hitting the Galveston/Houston area was very real,” she says. “So we didn’t take any chances.” Thompson and her family caravanned up to the Dallas area, leaving at 5:45 Thursday morning (September 22nd). They arrived nearly twelve hours later, exhausted, but relieved to be safely out of the storm’s path.
“I was amazed at what I saw up and down I-45,” Thompson adds with a smile. “People were stopping all along the way - some to take a little “siesta” on the side of the road, others to search out a discreet place to “relieve” themselves, still others to have picnics with their families or even total strangers. Many were out of gas and/or needed roadside assistance. Others needed medical attention. I saw people by the hundreds helping total strangers. Really made me proud to be a Texan.”
In truth, Thompson admits, she has always been proud of her home state. Over the past several weeks, she has worked alongside others in the Houston area, caring for the needs of Katrina evacuees, many of whom have little, if anything, to go back to. “I’ve seen the look in their eyes,” she says, “and it breaks my heart. But I’ve been reminded of the role Houston played in the aftermath of the great hurricane of 1900, how we swept in and cared for the people of Galveston all those years ago. I somehow knew our city could – and would – rise to the occasion again. I also knew I had to play a role.”
Thompson’s “role” has included working alongside local ministries, including Lindale Assembly (a Red Cross shelter that has housed up to 180 evacuees at a time) and “Somebody Cares Houston” (a local compassion ministry, headed by Doug Stringer). At one Houston-area “Somebody Cares” Distribution Center, Thompson met with Katrina evacuees and shared the story of her novel with them, encouraging those from storm-ravaged areas of Louisiana to look with hope toward the future, and referencing Galveston as an example of successful rebuilding.
“Of course, I had no idea at the time I would soon face a storm of my own,” Thompson says with a hint of a smile. “But I’ve been speaking to historical and civic groups for months now about the storms we go through in our lives – reminding them that they can either strengthen or weaken us. I always encourage people to let the storms of life build them into people of great strength.”
Thompson, who is in the process of writing a sequel to her novel (this one focused on the rebuilding of the Island) can’t help but see the irony of the past few weeks. “With two more months of hurricane season ahead, we could opt to walk in fear,” Thompson says. “But I choose not to. In spite of any hurricanes that might come my way, I choose to lift my head, to keep my spirits high and to look to the people of Galveston, Texas, as an example of what it means to “come back” after tragedy. One hundred and five years ago they built a mammoth seawall, elevated the island, and bounced back with great resilience. They rebuilt shops, reopened businesses and linked arms to accomplish it all. Their faith and determination saw them through. They weren’t spared future storms. In fact, a huge hurricane struck in 1915, but the seawall held and lives were spared.”
“Texans are equally as resilient today. Communities ban together after tragedies and feel a sense of unity. Together, they are a powerful force to be reckoned with – almost as strong as the storms, themselves. All across the Gulf Coast we’ve watched – and will continue to watch – as people link arms to rebuild. Roofs will be patched, fallen trees will be cleared and moldy carpet will be removed. Together, people will cling to their faith and start afresh, anew.
We are people of great strength. And we will weather these storms. Together.”


Author: J. Thompson, Janice Thompson (www.janiceathompson.com)
Format: Paperback, 288 pages, softcover
ISBN: 1589190203
Publisher: Chariot Victor Pub/Cook Communications (1-800-323-7543)
Pub. Date: 01 October, 2004

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