Sense of normalcy beginning to return in storm-ravaged Texas

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

With no rain in the forecast and a dash of sunshine beaming down, Tuesday finally felt like a normal day in The Woodlands, Texas. 

After more than a week off from school and cross country practice due to Hurricane Harvey, The Woodlands cross country head coach Juris Green welcomed the normalcy that Sept. 5 brought. 

"We're back at school today, which a blessing, just to have a normal day," he said. "I think it's stressful and traumatic being in a situation like this. It's nice to be back." 

A week ago, a picture of The Woodlands High track was covered in water. Located 30 miles north of Houston, The Woodlands was fortunate not to take the brunt of the storm. But the area still totaled around 30-40 inches of rain, according to Green. Across the region, including the metropolis of Houston, the damage and suffering was enormous. Thousands of people have lost their homes.

"At least weather wise, things have gotten a lot better," Green said. "We haven't had any rain in a few days now, the forecast looks great, sunny days ahead. But now that water has receded in places, you know a lot of clean up, a lot of houses being gutted. We were fortunate only one of our kids lost his home." 

Saturday was the first official time Green was able to meet with his team in more than a week. While the Conroe Independent School District was closed last week, the Highlanders relied on e-mail and other electronic forms of communications to stay in touch with workouts. Green said during Monday's workout, his team looked great. 

"We smashed it," he said of their practice. "I think we did everything we could do."

While the reigning Texas 6A state champions try and return to some sense of regularity and routine,  it's not lost on them what has transpired. Green said he received word late Tuesday morning that their meet in Huntsville this weekend at Kate Barr-Ross Park was likely cancelled because the National Guard has declared it as a Federal Emergency Military Instillation air base. 

About 30 miles away at Kingwood High, their school has shut down due to flooding and will share a school this academic year with Summer Creek – both in the Humble Independent School District. Green said he's reached out to Kingwood coach Tate Symons.

"Despite all of their hardship, his response to my offer of help was, 'Just don't take it easy on us, because we plan to kick your butt,'" Green said with a laugh. 

The rest of the season for the Highlanders should not be affected. The  course nearby that the Nike South Invitational will host Sept. 29-30, will dry out according to Green.

For The Woodlands, one of the top 15 teams in the country in the DyeStat preseason rankings which is scheduled to travel to California along with Southlake Carroll for the Woodbridge Classic on Sept. 16, this fall it's all about finding a competitive and compassionate balance. 

"I think it's tough being in season and this happening -- we've got a season to prepare for," Green said. "We have to keep our finger on the pulse, at the same time, helping everyone around us."

Through many of the devastating images and and scenes that have played out the past few weeks, Green explained the message of kindness, togetherness and resiliency have shone through and will continue to do so.

"We're all in this together," Green said. "You hate to be a part of something like this, it's something you're never going to forget. But all the negativity you see throughout the country and everything going on ... and what has happened in the aftermath, it doesn't matter what color they are, it's just people helping people. And that's the one thing I'm so proud of the state of Texas, we're showing the nation that yes, bad things can happen, but we're all going to help each other."