Mom Calls About A Hurricane Hermine Generated Tornado In Dallas

Last night my mom called. No, mom had not gotten gas and was not calling me to tell me how much it cost.

Mom and dad were watching the news where mention was made of the Hurricane Hermine related flooding we were experiencing here in North Texas.

A tornado touching down and doing damage in Dallas was the main thing mom was concerned about. That is the Dallas Tornado in the picture.

I had not heard of a tornado touching down in Dallas. I don't think I had the TV on yesterday. Or a radio. So, I was a little surprised to see the pictures of the tornado damage in Dallas in the Dallas Morning News this morning.

Several tornadoes twisted to the ground yesterday morning during that torrential downpour. But none anywhere near my location. I don't remember the last time I've heard the tornado sirens.

We have had a significant amount of drying. So, I think I can make my way to the pool this morning. I am in need of some aerobic stimulation.

Fort Worth's Fosdic Falls Is No Longer Neon Green

After I checked out the flooded Trinity Falls and Gateway Park I decided to see if Fosdic Falls, falling from Fosdic Lake in Oakland Lake Park was still falling green, but with a lot more volume.

Yesterday I mentioned that Fosdic Falls was being a very unnatural neon green anti-freeze color.

As soon as I parked I could see Fosdic Lake had added a lot more water since yesterday. And was back looking a more natural color.

Fosdic Falls was falling way more water than yesterday. Enough water to make a roaring falls noise, but not enough to tremble the earth like a falls like Snoqualmie Falls in Washington does.

Fosdic Creek was roaring with whitewater rapids. I'd not seen that on Fosdic Creek before.

A white bird was standing on a rock in the Fosdic Creek whitewater rapids. Is the bird an egret? I don't know.

It has now been several hours since rain has fallen. Blue sky has returned. Has the BIG DRY UP began? I hope so.

Fort Worth's Trinity Falls Disappears Under Trinity River Flood

Last Thursday I went to Gateway Park because I thought Trinity Falls might be flowing loud and large. It was. Today, after seeing how high the Trinity River is due to all the water delivered by the Hurricane now known as Tropical Depression Hermine, I thought it'd be interesting to see how Trinity Falls handles a lot of water. Well, as you can see, the falls has disappeared, as has the dam/bridge that causes the falls. In the blogging from last Thursday I made note of the astonishing amount of litter piled up behind the row club's dock.

As you can see, today, the Trinity is exhibiting a bit more litter than last Thursday. The river has dropped quite a lot from its high mark. I was surprised, as were others checking out the river with me, that the water got so high.

In the above picture we are looking at the location of my infamous encounters with White Darth Vader Express Energy Services trucks, earlier in the year. A Barnett Shale water sucking operation was taking place in a location that would be way under water today. I wonder if the water sucking operation on the other side of the river that I made note of in last Thursday's blogging, managing to pull out in time?


I was not sure I wanted to walk over the litter pile to cross the bridge. But I strongly wanted to see what the boardwalk viewing area looked like inside Gateway Park. I forgot to mention Gateway Park is closed due to the flooding, both entries blocked, but the pedestrian entry from the Trinity Trails was not blocked. On my way to check out the river I saw Quanah Parker Park is closed and flooded. I do not recollect it being flooded before. This means River Legacy Park is badly flooded and my newly re-born mountain biking will be on hold for quite awhile, awaiting the BIG DRY UP.

As I nimbly made my way across the pile of litter I looked down to see dead fish. This was not pleasant. Dead fish quickly become malodorous. There were a lot of dead fish.

Usually in the view above you look at a huge pipe crossing the chasm above a creek. The huge pipe is now under water, with the creek flooded and full of an astonishing amount of litter and debris.

Normally, in the above view I would be looking at Trinity Falls, often hear it roaring, usually seeing someone on it, walking or biking. But, today the falls is flooded.

In the above picture we have crossed the pedestrian bridge and are in Gateway Park, looking at the flooded boardwalk that used to take you to various viewing platforms, with the boardwalk switchbacking down to the river's edge. Both Gateway Park boardwalks have been closed for quite some time, due to neglect and poor maintenance.

I don't quite understand the sign saying "AREA CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC." Yes, the public felt very close to these boardwalks, until they fell into disrepair, but why put this message on a sign? Very perplexing.

Equally perplexing is the disturbing amount of litter in the Trinity River. When I lived in Washington I lived in the Skagit Valley. The Skagit River flows through the Skagit Valley on its way to Puget Sound. The Skagit River is a much bigger river than the Trinity. The Skagit River can go into flood mode that makes what the Trinity is doing today seem minor. And yet, in all the times I saw the Skagit River flood, I do not recollect ever seeing litter line the edges of the dikes when the river receded. Lots of logs, yes. Litter no.

Now, this may have something to do with the fact that the Skagit River starts up in Canada and winds its way through the Cascade Mountains, having no contact with a highly populated zone until it reaches the Skagit Valley flats.

The Trinity River flows through mostly rural areas until it hits the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Is that when it picks up all the litter? I really think an effort should be made to find out where all this Trinity River Texas litter comes from.

In Texas If Water On Road Turn Around Don't Drown

You are looking south on Loop 820 in East Fort Worth, just north of the Trinity River.

Which is currently in heavy duty flood mode.

Ironically, where this sign is located, drivers had slowed way down, due to being looky-loos, looking at the flooding Trinity River.

Before noon, when I headed north on 820 and crossed the Trinity I was surprised at how high it was and how forcefully it was flooding to the north, with a strong current.

On the way back here, 2 hours later, the river was higher, had obviously not crested and was flooding into the industrial park that is north of the river on the west side of the freeway.

In the picture you are looking through my windshield and the rain at some flooded PODS at the north end of the aforementioned industrial park.

I am sure River Legacy Park is under water. The last time this happened it was something like 6 months before the mountain bike trail was bikeable again.

I think I'll head out of here and see what Trinity Falls by Gateway Park is looking like right now. Gateway Park may be closed.

Just as I typed 'closed' the sun broke through the clouds and brightened up the place. The rain stopped an hour or so ago.

Tropical Storm Hermine Continues To Drop A Lot Of Water On Fort Worth

The sun is trying hard to light up the place this second Wednesday of September, but former Hurricane Hermine, currently Tropical Storm Hermine, is still darkening the skies over North Texas.

And dropping an incredible amount of rain.

I have decided to skip my morning swim. It's raining hard. Wind is blowing. And there are likely small lakes that would have to be navigated between where I am right now and the pool.

So far I have heard no thunder during the constant storming. And I have not heard the tornado sirens.

The soothing sounds of rain hitting the window did make for some sound sleeping, made even sounder due to no A/C running, thus no earplugs to block the annoying sound of the A/C cycling on and off.

The sun has finally managed to shine enough light that I can see what a mess it is out there. We are currently under a flash flood watch until Thursday. Currently it appears a flash flood is occurring over the walkway I take to get in swim mode. I'll see if I can get a picture.

As you can see, the walkway has turned into a canal with a waterfall.

I do not foresee any bike or hike opportunities in my immediate future. This may render me quickly cranky.

Hurricane Hermine's Remnants Continue To Drop Rain, Now With Possible Tornado Action

A few minutes ago Hurricane Hermine dropped another downpour. I tried to step out on my patio to take a picture, but an umbrella was needed, so I got my handy dandy Popabrella device.

It's been a few years since I made the Popabrella website. The Popabrella people should have been in Seattle over Labor Day Weekend, at Bumbershoot. They'd likely sell a lot of Popabrellas at Bumbershoot.

As you can see via my Popabrella enabled picture, it is being quite stormy.

This stormy stuff may get worse. While the most recent downpour was pouring down at its hardest WeatherBug started chirping with a Weather Alert. The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch until 8pm this evening.

Hermine has brought no Thunderstorm with it, so far. In previous Tornado Alert times in Texas it seems as if lightning is usually involved. And a lot of wind. It has not been at all windy today.

Was Hermine a boy or a girl hurricane? I'd not heard the name Hermine before.

Repairing Sidewalks At Fort Worth's Oakland Lake Park While Fosdic Lake Flows Green

You are looking at the paved trail that surrounds Fosdic Lake in Oakland Lake Park. Of late the City of Fort Worth has been doing a lot of work in Oakland Lake Park.

Some of what has been done makes some sense to me. Like replacing the tired wood planks on the bridges.

A few weeks ago a cement series of steps was replaced. That is still not quite finished and I still don't quite understand why this needed to be replaced.

And now today to find chunks of the paved trails have been replaced, or in the process of being replaced. I've never noticed any serious problem with the Fosdic Lake Paved Trail.

Except for one location, an area with poor drainage. When it rains, like today, mud gets on this section of the paved trail. It can be a pain to get around the muddy mess for days after the rain stops.

That is the muddy section of the Fosdic Lake paved trail below. As you can see, nothing has been done to help stop the flooding. So far.


I think I wondered previously, when I saw earlier work being done on the park, if this was federal stimulus money being spent.

Why does Fort Worth have money to make questionable sidewalk repairs, at the same time library hours must be cut, or libraries closed, due to lack of funds?

Why not build some new sidewalks, rather than do dubious repairs to existing sidewalks?

Like on Bridge Street. There are no sidewalks taking walkers to the East Regional Library. Or to the nearby Krogers. I have often seen people ambling along the well worn dirt path, carrying a load of groceries.


If federal stimulus money must be spent, I wish it'd get spent on something like fixing the color of Fosdic Lake. I don't know how that could be done. Maybe dozens of aerator fountains in the lake.

I have made note, previously, of the anti-freeze green color that Fosdic Lake is currently sporting. Today, due to the rain, Fosdic Falls was falling.

It is hard to get a good picture of Fosdic Falls, but you can clearly see the green water. It looks weirder in person.

After the water of Fosdic Lake falls over Fosdic Falls, it makes a very short journey to the Trinity River, maybe a half mile distant.

Recently a local cult leader led a group of his brainwashed followers on a group float down the Trinity River. The floaters did not float as far as where the water from Fosdic Lake tries to dye the river green.

Looking At Hurricane Hermine Hanging Over Fort Worth & Thinking About Braunschweiger

In the picture I am on top of Mount Tandy, in the Tandy Hills Natural Area, looking west at the stunning skyline of beautiful downtown Fort Worth, with remnants of Hurricane Hermine hanging overhead.

I was on my way to Oakland Lake Park to dodge drops of rain while I walked around Fosdic Lake, when the view of the sky over downtown Fort Worth, as I drove west on I-30, made me think a detour to the top of Mount Tandy might make for an interesting photo.

I got a bit wet getting to a good photo spot. There are these tall weeds, many of them over 6 feet tall, currently sprouted in various locations on the Tandy Hills. These particular weeds are skinny with branches sticking out from the main stem. Due to being tall and skinny, like me, these weeds get whipped easily by the wind. Today, making my way past the tall, skinny weeds, the weeds got me all wet.

I dried out during my walk around Oakland Lake Park. More about that later. Not the drying out part, the Oakland Lake Park part of that sentence is what there will be more about later.

After I walked around Fosdic Lake I went to Town Talk. I got a great big round thing called Braunschweiger, among other stuff. I don't know what Braunschweiger is, for sure, other than being some sort of German meat product.

The rain I mentioned earlier today, courtesy of Hurricane Hermine, went into downpour mode when I was in the pool. Swimming in a downpour is not as much fun as you might think it would be. I usually do not get wet above the neck when I go swimming. This morning I was totally wet above the neck and none of it was water from the pool.

Well, it is time for lunch. I think I'll try and figure out what one does with Braunschweiger.

Incoming Hurricane Hermine Brings Rain While Fried Frito Pie Wins Big Tex Choice Award As Best Taste At The State Fair of Texas

I stepped outside to take a picture on this, the first Tuesday of September, and was surprised to find myself being hit by falling blobs of water.

Hurricane Hermine crossed into Texas yesterday. We are under a Flash Flood Alert through Thursday due to the expected big dose of rain from Hermine. But, I did not expect it to arrive already.

Maybe this morning's drops are not courtesy of Hermine, but a Hermine pre-cursor.

Meanwhile, over in Dallas, at the State Fair of Texas Fair Park Fairgrounds the Big Tex Choice Award winners were announced yesterday.

Texas Fried Frito Pie won the coveted top award of Best Taste. While Fried Beer was picked as Most Creative.

Miss Puerto Rico's Nephew Oscar Meets With President Obama

Last night over at Miss Puerto Rico's the big news was about President Obama.

Last week the President had been in El Paso. He visited the troops at Fort Bliss.

Miss Puerto Rico's brother, Tito, is in the army. He served 2 tours in Iraq. Tito is currently stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

Tito is married to Sonia. Sonia was a beauty queen in Puerto Rico. If I remember right, she was runner up in the Miss Puerto Rico contest. I have met Sonia. She is definitely beauty queen material.

Sonia and Tito have 3 kids, Jose, Fernando and Oscar. I have met the kids. Oscar is the youngest and a real smart little guy.

When President Obama came to El Paso, 2 El Paso school kids were selected to meet the President. Oscar was one of the 2 kids.

The meeting took place on the Fort Bliss base. Tito was able to attend. Sonia was not allowed. So, Tito used his smart phone to stream video of their son meeting the President of the United States, to Sonia, then Sonia sent text message updates to Miss Puerto Rico.

I do not know what President Obama and Oscar talked about. I think Oscar would make a good advisor to President Obama. I think the President could use some good advice.