Category: Flood

The Mighty Mississip’

Those of us from the south fully understand what the Mississippi River can do during hurricane season where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. But here in the Midwest, we don’t worry so much about hurricanes…we worry about snowmelt. These first pictures are from last summer at the bandstand down at the river where we have weekly outdoor concerts.

But this year is one of the flooding years. They don’t always look this bad but this year may set a record. If you can see that white dotted line across the center of the water…that is the tops of the white chairs from above and the current water level is almost to the bandstand floor level. The water is not due to crest until Monday. The concerts may be late this year.

Picnic anyone?

I was not able to take a picture because I was driving across the bridge, but they were cutting the grass of the baseball field. The building in the thirds set of pictures behind the Bandits sign is the baseball stadium and they have floodgates around it so the stadium stays dry. But I chuckled at the irony of them cutting the grass.

Always remember that life can throw you curve balls. Some you get to hit out of the way and some knock you down. But God is always there by your side to help you either way. Feel His love surround you and reflect His kindness.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge, Trains

Cee’s prompt this week is Trains. I love trains and their history amazes me. I am posting comparison picture this time with “water trains”.  These are special trains that can create wake in the water. “What!, you say…trains don’t go in water!” They do here in the midwest during flood season. It’s amazing. I know their weight holds them down but…really.

This spring, the flooding was not too bad…

But it still amazes me with the track being under water not being an issue. However, last year, I had to take pictures from the bridge because you could not get to the parking lot that sat by the track.

Trains making wake during some serious flooding. Shipment must go on I guess. The flood last year lasted nearly 5 months. Some businesses went belly up. The just didn’t  have the heart to start over.

We think of trains as being a powerful force to be reckoned with because of their tons of cargo…but they are no match to mother nature.

Remember as powerful as nature is, it is also very delicate…like kindness. Kindness is a mighty tool that can create enormous change but also very fragile. I challenge you today to use the fragility of kindness as the mighty tool it can be, then stand back to watch the change it creates.

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Life Happens, Sometimes Too Much

I have not posted in nearly a week or so as Life does seem to happen in a big way at times and changes our direction. On Friday we got yet another weekend snow event as they call them here. Anything over 3 inches is an even, otherwise its just snow. The event came on the heals of some excessively cold single digits with wind chills in the -20. And as temp warmed, the snow turned to ice. Its been fun. I question myself when these events happen… Why did I move from the south…then when summer hits and temps are in upper 80’s or low 90’s, then I remember no triple digit temps for months at a time. But this even was especially not fun as it froze the pipes in the kitchen, causing them to burst on Monday(while at work). So AGAIN, the basement is flooded.

The snow also covered up the dish so no TV and no internet…Well Linda, I got lots of coloring done for the 1st of February’s Adult coloring prompt. But it began to warm up a bit, enough to start melting this 6″ mess, which actually brings up the theme for the prompt. Pictures below show last years flood that lasted 5 months.

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We had record snowfall, combined with record spring rains, combined with record breaking heights to Mississippi River flood records for the area. Some people still have not gotten back into their homes fully or are just now getting back in. The water level really never went down like they do in the fall and so far the last two week we have had over a foot of snow – which is melting and will probably finish melting next week, swelling the river. Lower Mississippi River states are already seeing flood stages begin and its just January. Water is nothing to mess with, whether in your home or a massive river like the Mississippi.

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So if you come across raised waters this spring or even before, please be cautious. It can get dangerous quick. Keep in mind the families and businesses near this river as this may be another bad flood year. Mother earth is kind of ticked off right now.

I leave you with the beauty it this earth can display so that we leave it with happier thoughts.

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Remember the beauty but also keep in mind those who are struggling with the issues life brings us and be kind and supportive of them.

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Here We Go Again, #1LinerWed

You are probably as tired of hearing about this as I am tired of living through it.

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We are above major flood stage AGAIN

Do take into consideration we have yet to leave any flood stage status since March. Some areas along the Mississippi have been at flood stage since February 17th, 2019. On May 3rd we reached the new record of 22.7 feet and you can see the projected path on the chart above but that may change since we got 3″ Tuesday. For Memorial Weekend, a weekend we will remember, we took in 2.79 FEET of rain. And yes, my basement is flooded. There is simply no where for the water to go. And rain is in the forecast for the next week plus. So my dear friends in South Africa, I wish I could send you some of what we have. You don’t have enough and we have too much.

In this Friday, May 3, 2019, aerial file photo, flood waters from the Mississippi River surround Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa. Officials in Davenport say the city's public works department has spent over $1 million on flood-fighting efforts and that figure will surely rise as more costs are added in preparation for the potential of future flooding.
In this Friday, May 3, 2019, aerial file photo, flood waters from the Mississippi River surround Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa. Officials in Davenport say the city’s public works department has spent over $1 million on flood-fighting efforts and that figure will surely rise as more costs are added in preparation for the potential of future flooding. (Photo: Kevin E. Schmidt, AP)

As of Tuesday, more than 370 river gauges along the Mississippi were reporting levels above flood stage in the central U.S., the weather service said. And of those, 71 gauges reported major flooding. There is a reason the Mississippi River is called the “Mighty Mississip”.

But even with this tragedy, we can be ever thankful that there have been no fatalities. And as hard as it is, sometimes these tragedies bring out the best in us. So try to remember to always be kind. Even when frustrated beyond your means, take a deep breath and let go to allow God to shine, and be kind.

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Today is Wednesday and time for Linda G Hill‘s #1LinerWed. I know mine is longer than a line, sorry. But do come join in on the fun and say hi to everyone.

Rise and Stand Tall

Life can be scary and overwhelming when those floodwaters of life seem to dump on top of your head and threaten to drown you. But I encourage you today to rise and stand tall. God has not forgotten you. Scripture tells us over and over that he is always there beside us. Deuteronomy 31:6 says ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified…the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.’Then all through Joshua, II Chronicles, Psalms, Isaiah and Hebrews, he reminds us over and over ‘I will never forsake you.’ Then there is a full page of reference notes of God saying how much he loves you- I Chronicles 17:13, ‘I will never take my love from you.’

Here in the midwest we are beginning to see the river start to go down. Second street in sections is dry and the chairs at the Le Claire Park band stand can be seen poking their backs out of the water, standing tall. I thought the picture below showed the resilience that nature shows us about their survival and if they can rise and stand tall, then we must as well. God always shows us small signs that he is with us every step, just look around.

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Rise and stand tall

These tulips are a testimony of survival as their street is still underwater and we should follow their lead, rise above the floodwaters of life and stand tall. God will be standing right next to us.

May you all have a calm and beautiful weekend. I know some parts of the nation are still having major issues of storms; my prayers for you is safety and feeling God’s peace. And in the midst of all storms, there is usually a moment when kindness will be needed. I remind you to always be kind when the helplessness of life can effect us all.

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Disaster in the Making

For those who would be interested in seeing the levee break, below is the security video from a brand new restaurant that was not even open yet. Set to open next week. Watch the top of the top of the screen and you can actually see the wall collapse.

I know you may be tired of seeing my posts on this issue but more rain due starting on Sunday and this is our main concern for the area.  I currently have a small amount of water water in my basement, which we use as a living space, just because the soil is so very saturated.

Even with this disaster, we are still finding ways to help each other and be kind. So I challenge you to do, the same.

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Life Flashing By in 30 Seconds

Earlier today I posted a pictorial view of the flood waters in the Davenport Iowa area where we never really recovered from the snow melt flood to be now additionally inundated by spring rains with more to come. Today at 3:30 the levee barriers that had been erected failed and now flood waters are coursing through the lowers areas of downtown.

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Levee failure

The cars pictures above had people in them as they were doing their everyday tasks when in a matter of 30 seconds, they are surrounded so that they could not even drive out of it and had to run to safety. the people in the building which is now apartments had to be rescued by the fire department rescue squad.

Fortunately no one was injured which is the most important thing but this is a reminder to never try to drive through water. There is just too much that could happen.

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More damage

The picture above is an area just north of us where you see the entire town is under water not from the levee break but just the flooding and you see the main highway just to the north has been totally been cut off.

If you could please keep this area in prayer along with other smaller towns along the Mississippi that are really suffering with over 38 days of major flood stage over 20 feet. Some have lost their homes and now business’ are also unexpectedly being affected.

 

What Technology Can Teach Us, TPC

The spring rains are upon us and while in some instances that is a good thing, for the flood born areas of Iowa it is more disaster. The chairs at the park along the rivers edge were beginning to show their heads before Saturday’s rain and now they are again gone with the waters rising higher that the original snow melt flood that started in March. We are currently experiencing the most consecutive weeks at major flood stage.

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Higher still

The above picture was taken at the highest point of the snow melt at the end of March. Today these sidewalks are under water. The waters did not get the chance to recede more than 15 feet of flood stage before the rains started and we are to have rain through Thursday. And some next week. Currently I believe we are at 20 feet flood stage and in 1993, which was considered a historic flood, it reached well over 23 feet.  We may see it again. I find it interesting that the Woodman Park baseball field brought in technology to help keep the ball field from the yearly floods since it is located at the rivers edge.

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Flood Gate Walls

They installed walls to protect the main building, stadium and ball field.

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I think maybe the city needs to think more on doing something to protect the business that are located near the river or even those located one street up. The city on the opposite side of the river currently has no issues as they installed higher walls to protect it’s city along the river.

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Sump pump?

This picture I thought was funny as we are pulling water from somewhere below and dumping it back in to the river…which is now in the back yard.

While we are all waiting on the sun to shine, I remind you to always be kind. The brightness of a smiling face can light the darkness of a shadowed moment and help bring new life. Let your kindness shine.

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Jansen Photo challenges us with using a photo from technology so come along and join in on the fun.