Hurricane Harvey: Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue @ My Neighborhood

I'm in Humble/Kingwood area and while we are OK with the hurricane flooding we have many around us that are not doing ok and have lost everything or have severe damage from flood waters. As of right now they have many helicopters flying in our area and our own neighborhood picking people up and bringing them to safety. Our neighborhood doesn't have near the issues as others. They are flying more north where it is really bad. I cannot thank these responders enough and I pray for everyone they are helping. Photo uncropped taken directly above my house.

Glad to hear that you're OK, and my thoughts are very much with all affected by this hurricane and flooding etc.

Take Care,
Mike

Just looked up your posts because I remembered you were in Houston. I hope you stay dry. Tragic circumstances there.

Glad things are OK in your neck of the woods. It's nuts out here...like a post apocalyptic movie. The photographer in me wants to document everything, but its not a priority with everything going on.

I hear ya... I don't really feel like taking any photos either... it would be documenting my neighbors tragedies.

I'm in the same situation, didn't feel like documenting my neighbors being distraught.

Here is a drone shot of my neighborhood though

You know I took my p3p up above my house real quick just to get a quick capture and I post the image on the community facebook page and then I get some guy flaming me for doing so because of the no fly zone in affect. FAA says no UAS right now since the entire area is considered rescue operations...

whats your thoughts on that? I flew mine up and down within a 2 minute flight but I keep seeing a ton of video from drones.

Talley wrote in post #18440418
I don't really feel like taking any photos either... it would be documenting my neighbors tragedies.

As someone who was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, PLEASE take pictures. Your neighbors are dealing with loosing everything, and it's the last thing they're thinking of doing. But they want people to see what's going on. No one understands unless they see photos. And when it's all over, and the recovery begins, they'll want to look back, and see just how bad it really was.

Please take pictures.

Talley wrote in post #18440544
You know I took my p3p up above my house real quick just to get a quick capture and I post the image on the community facebook page and then I get some guy flaming me for doing so because of the no fly zone in affect. FAA says no UAS right now since the entire area is considered rescue operations...

whats your thoughts on that? I flew mine up and down within a 2 minute flight but I keep seeing a ton of video from drones.

Technically you shouldn't be flying a drone since there are all sorts of search and rescue choppers out right now....there's a staging area near me and there are military choppers constantly flying overhead. But the likelihood of disrupting anything with a tiny drone going up for a few minutes at a time is pretty minimal.

PhotogNY wrote in post #18440631
As someone who was devastated by Hurricane Sandy, PLEASE take pictures. Your neighbors are dealing with loosing everything, and it's the last thing they're thinking of doing. But they want people to see what's going on. No one understands unless they see photos. And when it's all over, and the recovery begins, they'll want to look back, and see just how bad it really was.

Please take pictures.

Yeah its a really odd feeling though. I've been to a couple of shelters and visited a couple of flooded spots to see if anyone needed a lift and have had my camera on me, but its really the last thing on my mind. Doesn't feel right to start snapping photos in the moment when there's more to do....feels really insensitive with everything going on.

It is possible that photos could help someone in some way when they are trying to settle their insurance claims. If anyone were to question you taking pictures, just tell them you are documenting what you can at least partly for that reason.

I went through Hurricane Katrina. Take as many pictures as possible. You and your neighbors will be thankful later. You will never know when you need some obscure random picture of a certain stage of damage. It is very helpful for insurance purposes.

I've been through several hurricanes. Photos are important after the disaster for claim purposes. It's amazing how locked up insurance companies are and how they try to get out of everything. Photos help a lot. Just like anything out there, if you want to put things in your favor during a bad situation, have documentation of it, and photographs and video are profound in that sense.

Also, most people I know here in Florida that have been through a few hurricanes and took loss do like to look back, remember their story, share it. There's a lot of people who live here and in 20 years never even see something, so they don't believe it can happen to them living on the coast, then bam, it happens.

As for drones, drones are super useful during times like these. Inexpensive ways to see damage, potential victims, potential disasters (like a forming big sink hole), and it doesn't cost whatever fuel is in a chopper. Obviously flying it around with other vessels is not a good idea, but if there's nothing in the sky, it's a useful tool. Also again useful for later for people in your neighborhood for claim purposes. Rules are rules, but honestly you have to look out for yourself and others during bad times, Uncle Sam and the Insurance companies are in bed together and while they will help you out, there's a lot they won't do unless you fight for it with evidence. Heck the military uses drones for surveillance because its just so efficient and inexpensive.

And of course, stay safe, hope everything goes well for everyone in TX.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #18440724
I've been through several hurricanes. Photos are important after the disaster for claim purposes. It's amazing how locked up insurance companies are and how they try to get out of everything. Photos help a lot. Just like anything out there, if you want to put things in your favor during a bad situation, have documentation of it, and photographs and video are profound in that sense.

Also, most people I know here in Florida that have been through a few hurricanes and took loss do like to look back, remember their story, share it. There's a lot of people who live here and in 20 years never even see something, so they don't believe it can happen to them living on the coast, then bam, it happens.

Agreed with both your points.

We had a window break during a hurricane or tropical storm, and the insurance company tried to deny the claim because the "damage was from wind driven rain, not a hurricane." They'll try to get out of everything.

I actually wish I had photos of damage from Hurricane Katrina. I've since moved to Dallas and have met lots of new friends, and I don't have photos to go along with my stories.

I am glad to read that you guys are OK. I'd hate to see Tally's gear get wet!


Seriously, try to take as many photos as possible. I know, I am not a photo journalist or a people photographer in general so I too have a very hard time taking photos, particularly when people are in distress.

But, this is an event for which the more documentation the better.

Take care guys and stay dry.