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One area particularly affected by the recent floods in Houston was Meyerland. Here, Tom Flaherty shares his observations and a series of photographs after a walk near South Braeswood and South Rice.

Though we were spared any damage from the flooding, we had friends who live in Meyerland who were hit hard. My wife and I helped them out by washing clothes and drying hundreds of family photos. The photos I worked on were from a friend of my wife whom I didn’t know. So it was a strange feeling “getting to know” all those family members I repeatedly saw in those photos. And it was sad to know that their household was turned inside out and upside down by the flooding. As a photographer, I decided to go walk the flooded neighborhood and document the street scene six days after the initial flood.

By this time the ruined contents were deposited on the curbside and I was able to see, as with those photos, ruined parts of anonymous households. Much on the curb was Sheetrock, carpet, and hardwood flooring, but there were a number of odd personal items, books, bongo drums, a briefcase, children's toys, chairs and sofas, etc. Workmen, Dumpsters, and trucks were all around. Obviously this will be cleaned up --- but I know that every one of those residents is thinking about the “next time."

Flaherty, a member of the Rice Design Alliance, will teach a class at Rice University in iPhone Photography starting September 30 in the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. For more information about storm recovery from the City of Houston, click here.

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