When It Rains, It Floods

At least was the case yesterday. In fact, the floods were so bad that Columbus/Bartholomew County, along with several other counties in central Indiana, was placed under a state of emergency. It started raining Friday evening and continued into Saturday. We had closed several roads at Camp Atterbury due to flooding by early morning. While it was a lot of rain, I didn't think much of it until I woke up late Saturday morning. The street was flooded. I didn't realize how bad it was until Jaime called me frantically explaining that the roads were blocked into the addition. I grabbed Sammy and we ran down to the corner. Sure enough. So flooded that trucks couldn't even get through. A neighbor told me that he had his son go through the farm by our house. So I called Jaime back and told her to go the farm road. I hopped the fence and waded through knee high water to bring Lucas back to the house. Jaime finally found a place to park and waded through several blocks of water. I found out later that the dam at Prince's Lakes had given out, contributing to this mess.
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It was a sight to see. Many of the neighbors were out of the homes, watching the water in the middle of the street. Some had rafts and were soaking up the sun. Kids were splashing and playing in the water (including Lucas and I). A couple guys got a boat out (yes, a boat--it was that deep) to meet people at the road so they could get into their houses. The news helicopters were hovering overhead. Later we found out the we beat the 1913 flood record.

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After Michael got home, we urged him to go to town so we could eat dinner. Against his better judgement, we headed off. It was our "adventure." We walked as far from the street as we could, walking almost right along side of the houses until we made it to the car. We made it to town just fine and ate a little Fazoli's. Jaime needed to pick up invitations and other party materials for Lucas' birthday party so we tried going to the store. This is how we realized how bad things really were. The Kmart was closed, in fact the entire mall was closed. When we were leaving we talked to a couple, stranded in town. They told us we were under a state of emergency. When I looked up, I noticed the traffic was backed up. We got in the car and headed out, just to find that every road we turned onto was blocked off. We decided heading back up the way we came would be the safest bet. We quickly learned why the reports were urging residents to stay in their homes and off the streets. The road that we had driven into town on had now flooded over. Although very dangerous and very stupid, we chanced it and continued on. Michael did a good job, watching the water as we carefully crossed the streaming water. We were lucky. The news was reporting the roads and bridges were falling out in the flood waters.

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We made it back home safe and sound. Many of the businesses closed down yesterday and are closed today as well. The Columbus hospital had to be evacuated. The Red Cross set up a sight at North Middle School for all of the families that were displaced. Michael had to go back to Atterbury this morning and had to go up and around through Franklin to get in on the other side. Our house is fine, thank goodness. We sit high on the hill and the worst of our flooding was water sitting in the backyard. Not everyone was that lucky. I talked to my good friend, Brenda, and she had to be evacuated out of her house by boat; told she won't be able to return by car for probably a month. I just can't believe all that has happened this week. I'm almost in disbelief. I feel drained, still not caught up from the effects of the tornado. It's sunny today, which is our one day break before the rains hit again tomorrow. Hopefully my next post won't bring news of more devastating weather.

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**Update**

Michael was put on orders tonight. He came home from drill and grabbed his gear and was gone again. I'm not sure what they'll be doing or where they'll be. I keep waiting for the phone call for orders for me, but still nothing. I feel useless as I sit here idle.