I was on James Island off the coast of Charleston when Hugo hit. We were near Folly Beach which had houses complete picked up and moved into the center of streets by the oceanfront. Between us and Folly were multiple tiny islands that were alligator refuges.

Alligators and snakes came in from the low country swamps and tore up some in-ground swimming pools. The one across the street from us had two gators that could not find the steps up from the pool right off, but eventually did and roamed around the street. My husband was with two other men that were clearing the street from trees that had fallen over so emergency vehicles could come through if they had to. One guy was so close to a gator that he almost sawed through its jaw. That gator ran so fast but it was a close call.

I don't know what the wildlife is like near Houston but I sure hope people wading around in the water as we have seen through broadcasts are wearing very heavy boots. You have no idea what you're going to step on when the water's four feet high on your street.