The River Won...

My brother's home became victim to the flood waters. Three weeks of sandbagging and praying just couldn't keep the flood waters at bay. Although the water did not go over the sandbags, there was seepage that resulted in 6-8 inches of water on his main level. Fortunately, during round 1 of the flood fight in March, we had moved all of his furniture, clothes, etc up to the 2nd floor. Appliances and cabinets, of course, remained on 1st. I'm sure will need to be replaced.

Here are some pictures of his house taken 04/14/09 in the a.m. Amazing and heartbreaking.



We were feeling fairly confident in our sandbagging efforts on Friday even though the river was rising at a rate of 1" per hour. Sunday & Monday however, things turned for the worse in a helluva hurry. I am told that Terry learned - from the Corps - that Adrian was hit with between 8,000 and 10,000cfs of water.

A friend of mine who works for the USDA clarified what this meant. 600cfs released from a dam is equivalent to 1 foot of water. As it moves downstream, the water spreads. Downstream, it would take 1,000cfs to equal 1 foot of water. So, given that information, Terry was hit with between 8 - 10 feet of water (overland flooding and creek runoffs)on Sunday, Monday and Monday night. Unfreakinbelievable!!!! He didn't stand a chance.

What is disturbing is that our area is being considered for 4000cfs (combined releases) from our two dams. This does NOT make for good things for Terry or the community of Adrian.

I feel helpless...I do not know what to say or do to help my brother at this point. He looks defeated, tired, and raw with emotion. But, I also know his spirit. You can bend us, be you can't break us!