The Flood

It is 1:02am. I should be in bed, but I need to write. I don't even know where to start...

Late Monday afternoon I heard that the flooding our area was experiencing paled in comparison to what people in parts of Atlanta were facing. I knew my mother-in-law was out of state on a trip, so I called to check on my father-in-law. He assured me that although the creek in his front yard was rising, it was no where near the levels he has seen in the past 28 years in their home.

A couple of hours later he sent us a picture of his driveway and street, alerting us that he would be stuck at home until the waters receded. This picture was taken from his front door step at 4:42pm.By 5:50pm the water had risen to the very doorstep where he had stood to take the picture.

We were at a school program with the children when he called 30 minutes later to alert us that there was 3 inches of water (and rising) covering the first floor of his home. We darted out of the program and dropped the children at our house. My incredible neighbor sat with them until Ms. Jean could arrive. My husband and I set out for Atlanta. (And because he is a guy we had to stop at Home Depot to stock up on head lamps, batteries and the largest rechargeable spotlight you have ever seen. Seriously, we could light a football field.)

As we wove our way through the dark powerless neighborhoods there was an eery silence. Even still, we were unprepared for the reality of his parents' neighborhood. Dozens of families were displaced due to the rising waters. People were truly using boats to go door to door in search of those that needed help. I had been dressed in jeans and rain boots. It became clear that the swimsuit I packed somewhat jokingly was going to be absolutely necessary.

My husband, my father-in-law and I waded through muddy waters in the dark to get down the block to his house. The water was about 4 feet deep in his driveway --only getting below chest level when I stepped up onto the brick step pictured above. Those shrubs in the first picture were completely submerged as we waded to the door.

When we opened the front door it took my breath away. There was dark standing water, above my knees, throughout the entire downstairs of the house. Furniture, shoes, rugs, books were literally floating by. The smell served as a reminder that this was not just rain water. It was a cruel mixture of gasoline and oil from cars, sewage and river water. Our soundtrack as we worked was the sound of water sloshing and the contents of cabinets clanking together. We spoke to my mother-in-law a couple of times by phone, trying to prepare her for what she will face when she returns. It was impossible to describe.

Their beautiful home is full of family treasures--from antiques to vintage photographs--many irreplaceable items that hold historical and emotional significance. For the next two and a half hours the three of us waded through the muck to retrieve photographs, portraits, wedding albums and family treasures like the cigar box my sister-in-law decorated for Father's Day 35+ years ago. My father-in-law's car was flooded and is also likely a total loss. It will take months to repair the physical damage to the place they have called home for 28 years. Over and over I was reminded that we were so blessed that everyone was safe--and that things are just things.

Even beautiful, old, valuable things are just things.

While we were in the house the waters rose another 4-6 inches. Sofas were floating. We moved as many things as we could salvage upstairs, other things we placed on mantles and high shelves. I am unsure how much higher it will rise tonight--but pray that it has crested.

I was frightened as we waded back to the kind neighbor's house who had offered to become our command post and staging area. The water was literally up to my neck in places. (Thankfully, it was stagnant and I was with men a foot taller than me!)

I am amazed at how quickly the waters rose...how suddenly a situation went from nonthreatening and manageable to devastation. (Because this post is already long and I am exhausted, I'll resist the urge to elaborate on the metaphor here...)

I was also astounded by the kindness of neighbors. Those who were spared literally opened their front doors and guest rooms to those who were displaced. Volunteer search and rescue crews from other parts of the state were on the scene assisting. It was a true testament to the human spirit and the fact that when the rubber meets the road, people need each other.

As I go to bed tonight, I have a completely different appreciation for the plight of those who experience disasters. I have a new compassion for how unsettling it is to lose your 'nest.' I have a mental image seared into my brain of how very fleeting material things are--and I am praying for my sweet in-laws. Thankfully, they are amazing people who have a right perspective about what really matters--but this is still going to be a long road.