Though now safe from the monstrous hurricanes of the gulf
I still remember their furry as they crash into the land
wreaking havoc on everything it touches…everything.
Natural disaster comes to us wherever we are on this planet. We must always remember to be prayerful and kind for people and wildlife when nature is releasing its fury upon them.
In the mornings I read from Sarah Young’s devotional Calling Jesus. It really spoke to me this morning as I know today’s labors are going to be intense as I work to clean the damages of these intense spring rains in my flooded basement. It reminds you to turn your focus to Him first before dealing with the demands of the day. “Bring Him the sacrifice of your time. This creates a sacred space around you permeated with His Presence and Peace.” Jesus Calling, May 30
The Psalms also have many uplifting verses to help with you when you think no strength is left.
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which can not be shaken but endures forever. Psalm 125:1
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth and it endures. Psalm 119:90
For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the sky. Psalm 108:4
So even when life seems to be drowning you, remember His hand is always reaching down to you, so reach up and grab it.
In my reading this morning I also read a verse that goes along with how I always close…
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16.
Some many think only of sharing physical items but sharing of your time when others are in a desperate need is critical. A simple smile and gentle hug can share the warmth of Christ to provide endurance to finish a hard task. So remember to share of you, which shares of Him, and be always be kind.
You are probably as tired of hearing about this as I am tired of living through it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
They installed walls to protect the main building, stadium and ball field.
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.
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.
Jansen Photo challenges us with using a photo from technology so come along and join in on the fun.
The river is still rising. Currently at 20.4 feet expected to crest at well over 21 feet. Depending on where you are along this section of the Mississippi, it leaves it banks anywhere from 16′ to 18′. Therein lies the problem when you are over 20′ of flood stage.
The biggest concern now is tomorrow – rain storm possible with flash flooding – really. There is no where for the flash flood to go, it will just add to the flood already in progress. Lets put this into scientific facts for you. The Mississippi’s current water flow on an average(no flood) day is 2 million cubic feet per second…per second! Okay, lets try to bring that better into perspective. There are 7.489 gallons per cubic foot which weigh 62.4 lbs. A 48′ long semi truck trailer holds 3,600 cubic feet. To boil it all down – its a lot of water. Some of the smaller communities along the river in this area that rely on their wells for water can not longer use their wells due to the flooding. So they basically have no water. I am reminded of a phrase – Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.
I am still amazed that currently, the trains are still running but I hear that is going to change soon if the water keeps rising. And it looks like it probably will.
I went onto the walkway of the bridge to get these shots. Yes – I walked, yea me. For those who are new to my postings, I am recovering from foot surgery.
Below is the one shot I really wanted to get. I just have my phone camera so I can’t do long distances but that concrete building beyond the ball field is the back of a bandstand and there are outdoor chairs bolted down to a concrete pad to watch the band with a dance pad between the chairs and the band stand. The chairs are totally under water.
So always be aware of what water can do. Even the tiniest leak can be a real headache. But I learned when young and living in Florida that water can be a beast to reckon with. Please keep these communities along this river in your prayers. This is a LONG river and the further south it goes the wider it gets. They are telling us this amount of flood stage will be with us for awhile.
And I close with good thoughts of sharing kindness, even when life gets tough. There is always room for sharing God’s light in kindness. It may be the one spark of love that person may see that day.
With the current disaster of California going up in flames, it reminds us that Mother Natures periodically goes on rampage.
This past summer the midwest got hit with 2 severe storms that were residuals of hurricanes from the gulf and we were not really prepared for that onslaught. The power of water in an uncontrolled state is terrifying.
Even in disasters or especially during disasters, let us always remember the value of kindness. That is when it is needed more than ever in so many ways.
For the Love of 