Texas Flood Tragedy: Even Darkness Has Lessons, If You Bother To Look

A Grim Awakening

My dears I find myself in the unenviable position of reporting on a most unfortunate event. As some of you may know or perhaps have gleaned from the Muggle newspapers – those curious sheets of moving pictures – Texas has suffered a truly dreadful flood. Over one hundred souls have been lost a figure that chills even this old wizard to the bone. It reminds me of that terrible night when Voldemort... well let's just say it involved more than a bit of water and a great deal more sorrow. As I always say 'It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies but just as much to stand up to our friends.' And sometimes to stand up to the raging forces of nature.

Camp Mystic's Unspeakable Loss

Among the hardest hit was a place called Camp Mystic an all girls Christian summer camp. Twenty seven campers and counselors were swept away a loss so profound it echoes through the very air. Ten campers and one counselor remain missing and one can only hope – though hope can be a dangerous thing my friends driving one mad – that they might yet be found safe. Remember what I always say; 'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.'

Whispers of Neglect?

Now whispers are stirring dark and unsettling about whether enough warnings were issued about why some camps didn't evacuate. One can't help but recall the words of my dear friend Sirius Black; 'The world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters. We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.' It seems there is some darkness to investigate. Why the warnings went unheard or perhaps weren't heard at all. Apparently poor cellphone service is to blame – a curious muggle contraption – leaves many without proper warning. A thorough review is promised once the search and rescue are complete a wise decision – 'Patience Remus patience,' as I've often told a dear friend.

Political Storms Amidst the Flood

Ah politics that murky swamp where even the best of intentions can get bogged down. Senator Ted Cruz a Texan of some note assures us that spending cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service had no impact on the warnings. 'There's a time to have political fights there's a time to disagree. This is not that time,' he declares. A sentiment I wholeheartedly endorse – though I do wonder if he's ever tried to herd a gaggle of first year Gryffindors arguing about Quidditch rules. That my friends is a political fight of the highest order!

Presidential Pronouncements and Drone Disasters

President Trump never one to shy away from a pronouncement has declared this a major disaster and plans to visit the state. He also mentioned something about not rehiring fired meteorologists which strikes me as rather... curious. He says 'This was a thing that happened in seconds. Nobody expected it.' One might argue that the point of meteorologists is to expect the unexpected but perhaps I'm being pedantic. In other news some witless individual decided to fly a drone over the disaster area resulting in a collision with an emergency helicopter! Honestly some people are as useful as teacups in a Quidditch match. As I always say 'Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!'

Heroes Emerge from the Waters

But amidst the gloom there are glimmers of hope of resilience of sheer human grit. An elderly couple in their eighties rescued their 92 year old neighbor from her flooded attic. A young boy swam out of his cabin window to escape. A mother fled up a hillside floodwaters nipping at her heels. These are the stories that remind us that even in the face of unspeakable tragedy the human spirit endures much like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Remember 'It is our choices Harry that show what we truly are far more than our abilities.' Let us all choose to be brave to be kind and to offer what comfort we can to those who are suffering. Now if you'll excuse me I believe I have a vial of particularly potent calming draught to brew.