THE MORNING AFTER THE FLOOD

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2009
THE MORNING AFTER THE FLOOD
18
Tue, 01-26-2010 - 11:19am
First of all, Thank you to all the Ladybugs who sent me all the lovely messages. We were up at dawn looking around our house. There is minimal damage to our house. There were a few feet of water in the basement and a company is coming this afternoon to start cleanup. The propane is turned off until the line can be repaired so a friend drove me to the store to get bottled water and frozen dinners. I also bought a load of junk food. At times of stress Yodels are good! We have a 4 foot statue of a dog which was on a rock wall near our house. It's now wedged UNDER my car. The power of water is incredible. It's not cold here which is good since we have no central heat. We do have a terrific pellet stove though so we're warm. So many people have stopped by and called. Small towns are really great. There is so much destruction to our property. We lost a lot of trees and you can see where the river was right in front of our bedroom window. The force of the water pushed tons of ice up against our house which is what saved it from being damaged. Now we have to get a backhoe here to move the ice away from the house so it doesn't melt and run into the basement. And, the propane connectors are buried under all that ice, too. I  walked around the property this morning and my Mother was with me, at my right shoulder, the entire time. I could feel her strength and her presence. We're OK. The cats are OK. The house is OK. Guess what? That's all that matters!!! Gail

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-2004
Tue, 01-26-2010 - 11:42am

You are in VERY GOOD spirits considering what you are going through.

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Avatar for blueyz_13_2000
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-26-2010 - 2:12pm

Wow...a few FEET of water in the basement? Did you have a lot of stuff down there that is now ruined? I have half my life stored in my basement. But you're right...it's just stuff and you, your DH and kitties are safe. I love your strength and attitude. I also loved the reference to having your dear Mom at your shoulder giving strength and fortitude. They're always there for us aren't they...in one way or another? It's nice you were able to feel that and call on it.

It sounds like a massive cleanup effort but like Deb said, it sure sounds like you've got it prioritized. The power of Mother Nature amazes me. Were you the only ones in the path of this destruction?

I'd like to see some photos too if you feel like posting.

I'm sending hugs...you're such a strong person...(((((Gail)))))....

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2009
Tue, 01-26-2010 - 5:13pm

Hi. We just started unpacking boxes. We had pictures, knick knacks. Stuff that got soaked: The Christmas tree skirt we made our first Christmas together in 1970, Christmas stockings, my husband's first Easter basket from 1945, boxes of paperback books (lots of good romance novels have bit the dust!). We're going to try to save the sentimental stuff. It's not a finished basement which is good. The insurance company sent a cleanup crew and they're in the process of removing the last of the water. Tomorrow we'll replace the wet wooden pallets and re-box stuff. The furnace, hot water heater and water tank are OK which is huge. We had to get a forklift here to move the ice away from the basement door so we could get it open. We've heard from the flood and car insurance adjusters. We have heat and a stove and hot water!!! I CAN GET A SHOWER TONIGHT! Which is good cause I stink. We have two tons of pellets in the basement but they should be fine because they're in plastic bags. Tons of people called and stopped by.


My DH took a lot of pictures. Only problem is, I don't know how to download them. DS #1 is coming tomorrow and maybe he'll be able to show me how.


I'm rambling because I'm tired. Sorry. I'm gonna go fire up the microwave... Gail

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Wed, 01-27-2010 - 5:32am

Gail!!!









Avatar for blueyz_13_2000
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-27-2010 - 6:57pm

You've mentioned the insurance adjusters...did you have flood insurance and will this be covered by it? Up here you can only get flood insurance if you're in a "flood plain" or flood zone. If not and you get surprised by a random flood (which did happen to a friend of mine...in much the same circumstance as yours) they weren't covered. It was considered an Act of God. She sued the City because basically it really was their fault. If I remember correctly, she won that suit too. At least she was able to get her home repaired from it but still was not able to get flood insurance (even after the flood) because the City will still not declare it a flood zone!!! Soooo...they can't sell the house.

I hope you are able to salvage your keepsakes.

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Avatar for grammyellen
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2007
Thu, 01-28-2010 - 1:28pm
you are absolutely right that is all that matters that you are all ok. damage can be repaired over time. it might be inconvenient but it's better than the alternative.
Praise the Lord that your house is sound!!
we looked into getting a pellet stove for our house, but can't find anyone around here that sells them.
things are gonna start looking up.
hugs,
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Avatar for oahe
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-27-2003
Fri, 01-29-2010 - 9:04am

I have been off line for a few days with weather concerns here.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2009
Fri, 01-29-2010 - 1:52pm

Thanks for your good wishes! We're really OK. Tired but doing OK.


There was a big mess in the basement. The insurance company sent over a cleanup company and we worked with them for 2 days. They have big machines that suck out the water and we've had fans on 24/7 to get rid of any dampness. I had no idea that wet cardboard and newspaper smelled so bad! We had to repack lots of stuff. Didn't lose too much. Our older son came to help and our younger son arrives tomorrow. Both cars were totalled due to water and ice damage. I had a little red Toyota Corolla with remote start and a satellite radio. I was a hot old babe in that car and I'm gonna miss it. We are very lucky that our house didn't float off the foundation. Very minimal damage to the house, really. Most of the damage was to our land. It will never look as perfect as it did before but we will make it beautiful once again. Our bushes were crushed by ice and I'm sure our flower bulbs were washed away. That can all be replaced in time.


BUT--we're OK. Our cats, Pat & Carol are OK. Our house is OK. The sun is shining today!!! Take care. Gail

Avatar for gmapat539
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 01-30-2010 - 10:59am
You are right, Gail. That is all that matters. I'm so glad things weren't any worse and I pray that all the recovery projects go smoothly. --Pat
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2006
Sun, 01-31-2010 - 10:17am
Gail, I've been praying so hard for you and your family.
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