June 2008
|
|
|
Now is cleanup time.
Almost everyone except for those whose houses were completely destroyed are back in their homes.
The mess is incredible. There are huge piles of shredded cornstalks everywhere. A fine slippery mud coated everything, but it is gradually wearing away. Many houses have piles of ruined furniture, carpet, and insulation in front of them. Flatbed trucks are hauling cars disabled by the flood away. You know those guys are making money hand over fist. The smells of rotting vegetation, mold, and mildew fill the air. Now that things have dried out a bit, the smell isn't quite so bad.
We were extremely lucky. The water never came up into our place, just up to the underside of the floor. The only things we lost were some things in boxes outside in the shed. We have to replace the floor insulation and the ductwork, but that's not so bad. Our van has comprehensive coverage, so the cost to repair it should be minimal. Our digital cameras were in the van, but they are covered by homeowner's insurance. So much for them.
I suppose the real tragedy is for the great numbers of people who had no flood insurance. Regular homeowner's insurance will not cover flood damage, so almost everyone will have to replace things out of their own pockets. FEMA has disaster relief funding, but it is in the form of SBA low interest loans. I know that I can't afford another monthly payment, and I know many others around here have the same trouble. You'd think that a country which spends billions of dollars on foreign aid gifts to hostile nations around the globe would have free disaster relief funds to take care of its own people in times of crisis.
You'd think.
|
Current Mood: sympathetic
Added on: 06/17/08 12:02
Comments (2)
|
|
|
|
The last 24 hours have been...mostly boring, really.
The water crested a scant 3 cm from coming inside. I was waiting for the rescue boat when I noticed that the water level had dropped 3 cm over a 10 minute span. Still, there was a mandatory evacuation order, so I had to leave. During the boat ride, I watched the water flow reverse direction. I met up with my wife and dog, and we were bussed to a nearby middle school to spend the night in a gymnasium.
The American Red Cross volunteers were extremely friendly, helpful, and eager to feed you. I lost count of the number of times people came by with pizza, chips, granola bars, and especially water. If I had taken half of them up on their offers, I'd be in the hospital. Too bad sex doesn't come that easily (at least for me!).
The night was long and mostly sleepless. I don't think people have control of their kids anymore. If I had made noise after 10 PM in front of other adults at those ages, my parents would have given me a hiding I might still remember. No parenting skills these days.
We waited around all day waiting for news of when we could return home. The time was spent lounging, cracking jokes and watching other people. Finally we were told that if we didn't have relatives or friends to stay with in other counties, we should stay in the shelter rather than go home. Too dangerous with electrocution hazards and possible gas leaks out there.
Many went home.
We called my mom and stepdad, and they helped us get back to the house, get things we needed, and drive to their house for a few days. Our van is a mess, still drivable but with lots of mud and crap inside.
|
Current Mood: tired
Added on: 06/09/08 00:05
Comments (3)
|
|
|
|
The last few days we've been having lots of rain, and today the river has burst its banks. Water has risen to 4cm from coming in the doors, and it's still slowly rising. Helicopters are buzzing back and forth. We've seen a neighbor's car wash down the street. I think the water is about 1 metre deep and flowing swiftly. Hopefully the water actually crests before it comes in the house. Some of our neighbours haven't been that lucky. A few of them are not at home, and won't they be surprised when they find themselves unable to get there.
I might not be using the phrase "come Hell or high water" any more.
|
Current Mood: anxious
Added on: 06/07/08 16:58
Comments (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
