Thursday, January 8, 2009

More Flood Pictures.

I thought I'd post a couple more before and after flood pictures.  I sure wish my camera would have handled the low light better.  But it was raining both times I took the pictures.

These first ones were taken Wednesday morning before the river left it's banks.

2009 - winter 005

The water in the fields in the first picture is because of the quick snow melt and rain before the river overflowed it's banks.  In the second picture you can get a wee glimpse of the river in the far left of the photo.

2009 - winter 004

These next two pictures were of the same valley just a wider shot about 32 hours after the first pictures were taken.  It flooded a lot quicker than they thought it would.

2009 - winter 024

And this one was taken from my friends neighborhood a bit higher up the same hill.  The water goes clear across our little valley and covers it all.

 2009 - winter 034

The good news is the river is supposed to crest sometime this evening or overnight.  It's been raining off and on all day.  And tomorrow - DRY!  Yeah!  Saturday brings more spotted showers but the worst will be over.  Most of the flood was probably from the rapid snow melt when the warm rain hit the mountains.

When they saw the water rising so quickly Wednesday they sent all the kids home from school early.  Ours made it home in plenty of time and were not really affected but some students whose families live in the more affected areas are staying with neighbors, friends and even at the local fire station.

It's just amazing and over-whelming to see it first hand and watch how terribly swift the water moves, and realized just how huge this flood is.   The bridge that I took my first pictures from has been closed to foot traffic now and will not be reopened until they can inspect its stability.  But I'm sure it will be fine.  Tomorrow I'll try and get some video footage to show everyone a different perspective.

Thank you for your kind comments.  Our family is completely safe and dry as our home is up on one of the hills.  My husband has been working from home today and will work from home tomorrow as well.  We knew it was coming, as did most people in our area, so we stocked up on supplies and fuel before it hit.  I do however suspect that the shelves at the local grocery store might be depleted fairly quickly by tomorrow.

But keep our community in your prayers for if anyone were to have a medical emergency the only way out is by helicopter or boat.

11 comments:

RavenM said...

Wow! Those are crazy before and after pics. We don't flood here more than once in a blue moon and then we are not in the worst affected area...

Glad you guys are high and dry. We'd take some of that wet over here if we could get it lol! Lighten the load a little...:) It hasn't rained near enough here this winter imo.

Doreen Frost said...

Wow...how very terrifying...so sorry your area is going through this!

I'll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care and stay safe,
Doreen

Mel said...

How awful! I'm glad your family is safe. Prayers for your community.

Jen said...

The countryside is so beautiful there...so sad to see it swamped. Totally cRaZy! I'm glad you are safe and are on higher ground!

Mrs. Darling said...

We're just south of you and I had no idea you were all up in that flooding. My sister is there too with 300 milk cows on their dairy farm. They may end up losing some cows. Take care of yourselves.

Sara said...

I'm glad you're okay. It's amazing how deadly that beautiful snow can be. Take care!

Toni ~ Mom to 8 heavenly Angels and 1 earthly Angel. said...

Just happy you are all safe. (((Hugs))) my dear OLD friend. Cant believe we'll be 39 this year. lol

Trena Doll said...

Here's hoping the water recedes quickly and that the rest of your year is calm, boring even.

'Til then, stay dry. I'll be sending thoughts and prayers your way.

Arrow said...

Does the flooding/power outages you get up there ever make the national news?--if so, I still haven't seen it. What's with that?

Anonymous said...

Oh wow! your pictures are amazing... I'm glad your family is safe and dry!
Missy

Arrow said...

Right after my last comment I finally saw an article in the national news--Apparently Seattle does get some attention from the national media.