Historic flood - April 2023

I will use this web page to update everyone on the recovery process.   I will also share some thoughts about dealing with such devastation.  

The weather reported afternoon rain that Wednesday. No one, including forecasters, suspected 26 inches of rain.   

Then the rain just got heavier and did not stop.

The water was so high that we could not leave the house. We tried to hunker down in the house without much success. There was no dry place in the house. Even the refrigerator fell over. The bed started to soak in all the nasty cold water as soon as we lay on it. We were shivering. 

I will share that I was praying. At 1 AM, there was banging on the front door. My neighbor, John Forman, brought a canoe and kayak to rescue his neighbors. Before we left, I grabbed my wallet that I had placed on a high cabinet, my iPhone, and my dog. I had no shoes, just wet clothes.

I could not get the cats out because their crates were in the shed and could be anywhere in the backyard. I hated leaving them, but they would likely not make it without a container.

John saved us, along with 20 other neighbors, that night. Prayers were answered.  

We found a place with a room that would accept pets.  

Flood insurance does not cover temporary housing. That cost is on the insured. 

There should be an insurance plan that would cover temporary housing.  Not to say no plan exists, it may, just not publizied.  

A couple of months ago created a website, LargeThumbsUp.com. I wanted to promote the recognition of others who do good things.  

My neighbor, John Forman, will get the Largest Thumbs Up allowed by law..

Please check out this site.  We do our best when we honor the good in others.  and not focus on the "bad".

The water was waist-deep when I returned to the house the next day. The cats were on the bed where I had left them. I gave them some canned food and dry kibble that I had put on a high shelf the day of the flood. They had a litter box on the bed and food and water on the dresser. I could not carry them out as the water was too deep, and the distance to my car was a one-half mile.

The next day, I made it to the shed, reached up to get the cats' crates, and brought them into the house. 

There was only one cat on the bed. The other cat did not respond to my calls or ring banging. I admit I thought the worst. But two days later, I found the girl kitty all balled up in the bed's comforter. Both cats were now safe. 

I appreciate those who contributed dollars to help us with our temporary living conditions.  We hired a  contractor in late May and were promised that we could move back by my birthday, June 29th.  Getting it done and done right would help us save on paying for the temporary housing.   We did move back in on my birthday.  She came through in the time promised and did a great job. 

I will post pictures of the post-remodel in the next few days.  I may even share a few thoughts about flood insurance.