hi Berrygirl, thank you, but right now we just want to make it thru this and watch the water go down instead of up! never been thru a flood such as this before, so I am learning alot, like things I can't live without.......things we must get out of the house, things that can float away and no one would miss them, those kinds of things LOL
~Laurrie
this photo was the 8th, and below I will show todays of the swingset
same view only yesterday
heading to house today via boat LOL
Hi Joseph, we are all safe!!!! It will soon go down and we can begin the mess of cleaning up and wondering what all bulbs etc will pull thru being under water over a week!!!
Oh, my goodness, if this doesn't open the purse strings at the insurance company, I don't know what would!
I just wanted to say that it will be at least 6-8 weeks we think, by the time the water starts going down, it will be another week or perhaps 2, depending upon how far open they leave the flood dam gates, if they leave them wide open, hopefully a week, but are guessing around 2 weeks until its low enough to drive in again, then everything in basement is totally underwater, i mean everything, so that means furnace, water pump, water heater, water softener, plumbing, electrical, woodburner, etc. There hasn't been any heat in the house since the water flooded the furnace, and our temps this low will surely burst all the pipes, so all that will need replaced before we can ever even move back in to begin the cleanup.
Here is a shot of the basement, I think it was the 14th, it was 2 inches from spilling into the hallway on mainfloor that day.
Thanks again for all the prayers and well wishes, we truly are blessed with wonderful caring friends all over the countryside and especially here at DG :)
~Laurrie
Well, that's one way to wash the basement, Laurrie! I hadn't thought about how long it would take the water to go down. Here, when we flood, the water drains away rather rapidly, finding its way to the sea.
LOL well here we are on the 22nd, and we still are not able to get to our home, on top of that we are covered with lots of snow, the water had started going down, but we still don't have any idea how long any of this will take, never had a flood like this before :(
If they would open the dam's up, this water would go down rather quickly here too, but they had to keep them closed or they would drown out at least 3-4 other towns, so we are the backfill area, I will continue to update as I can.
~Laurrie
Oh man....we here in earthquake country think hurricanes and tornados are scary....poor you Laurrie....sheesh, I guess Mother Nature is going to get us no matter where we live, eh? So sorry, prayer and good thoughts sent your way. Glad you are ok. k
Geez and here I was complaining because we have a frost warning the next 2 days!!!!!!!
Jan...
Me too budgie!
I was disappointed b/c our spring-like temps were over and things are back to ...well...... normal winter weather- LOL!!
Anyone see the photos on the news of the poor folks who are flooded and now it's iced over. For miles around as far as you can see- nothing but ice!
Yep. I'll take a few days of frost anytime. I feel so bad for everyone with weather disasters.
Plants can be replaced.
Thanks for the well wishes and prayers everyone. I just keep in mind that no matter how badly I think I have it now, somewhere, someone has it far worse than my family!! And I say an extra prayer for all of those less fortunate.
We got out at the onset of it because the water hit the basement and the furnace was under water, well with going thru the ice storm before Christmas, 8 days without power, we had enough of no heat LOL, so we grabbed the kids and off we went, only to come home the next morning to find we were able to get to the house that last time by car, then within the hour it has risen over a foot, we had to scramble to get ourselves back out of there to higher ground, never to return as of yet by vehicle, if it were spring or summer, we have teased everyone we would still be there sitting on our roof fishing ha ha.
We had just gotten around 10-12 inches of snow over past few days, so now I am praying it will stay cold enough for that not to melt and bring the water back up again, it was starting to go down and we had hopes of driving to our home sometime next week. I plan on getting on that end of town today to try and get some pictures, and will try to post some later on if I can.
Again, thank you everyone for the well wishes and prayers :)
~Laurrie
Are you boating, sledding, skating or using cross country ski's? Not funny, but a smile does make anything more tolerable.
LOL so far we have had to boat to get there, its possible we could actually skate but fearful as of how deep the water below the ice is at spots, so I guess I am just not that brave yet!!!! And how right you are, I have had enough tears to float the house all over again, it's time for some smiles :)
~Laurrie
ps - here was the trip out today, the county has tried to plow thru the ice on the roads, so in a few days they will have it all off the roads and we can actually get to drive in to the house, the house is the little white dot in center of photo LOL
Hey Laurrie,
Don't forget to let us know come spring if you need replacement plants. Are you going to be needing brugs or anything I can start for you now so you can plant come spring?
Jan...
Thank you all so much for being such dear friends. I wish I knew at this point if growing anything is even an option for me this year, but depending on how much damage there is, I may not even be living there. And once things get settled down and we get the flood adjuster out there and things start falling into place, it will be much easier for me to make a determination on whether we will be replacing, rebuilding, or relocating.
I truly appreciate all of your offers, and will keep you in mind later down the road.
Again thank you all for being such dear friends!!!!
Laurrie
Laurrie, I just found this thread. OMG, I'm so sorry. Please, when you do get settled again, don't hesitate to ask for plants. I'll help in any way I can. I'm just so thankful that you and your family are safe and warm.
OH MY
I can't believe its this bad still
we get floods ,but its always in spring
If you need anything
please
let me know
Laurrie, I can imagine you'll have your work cut out for you when the water goes down. We bucketed sludge out of our basement that was 4" deep. You're wise to keep your options open, but if things go well and you do want some plants, email me. I always have some to spare. Wherever you are this summer, maybe you can be one of those inovative container gardeners with pots all over the place!
I am so sorry. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Stay safe ... and when the time comes and you find you need something, just let us know.
Laurrie, I am sorry you are going through this. Hang in there, we're all rooting for you and sending best wishes.
Laurrie-
Come move down here by me, where it is warm & sunny! We could be neighbors!, lol...If you have to relocate, it would be a great opportunity to "go south", and cure that self-proclaimed "zone envy" of yours...lol...I'm sure Donna and a handfull of others would love to have you as a neighbor, too!
So sorry this has not only HAPPENED, but sure seems to be DRAGGING on! I read where you said you could float your house again on tears, and I feel so bad for you. I am praying for you. Hang in there...
-T
OMG Laurrie!! I am so sorry for all of this! I also have to say if you need anything just let me know. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.
Thanks all!! Just wanted to update, the insurance adjuster was here last thursday, we will need to "lift" the house, then they will take down the 4 walls that are falling in (cracked, etc) and replace them all new, then electric, furnace, plumbing, etc. It will take a little longer but we will get to go home soooooooon :) The basement fella said we will be on the emergency list, he will hold his others until he gets our basement finished, it will be quite the mess for awhile I am sure, but knowing I can go home is a plus. I will of course, take lots of pictures while my house is "on stilts" so to speak to share and can't thank you all enough for being so kind and caring!! My tears now are tears of joy - Thank YOU all and God Bless!!
Laurrie
Laurie, It's time to consider all the things you might want to change about your home. When a Tulip Poplar destroyed half of DM's house in 2000 or 2001, she opted to have several things done differently, with little or no extra expense to her. Good luck.
I'm so glad to hear repairs are underway, Laurrie! Keep us all in mind for seeds and starts when you can get back to the garden projects.... WZ
Laurrie, that's very good news. Keep us posted as you get settled in. What's mine is yours when you are ready to rebuild your garden.
Let us know how the repairs are coming along. I hope they get you back home real soon. I am sure you arent comfortable being away from your home for so long.
Let us know what you need, you and your family are in our prayers.
Lisa Moore
Hi everyone :-)
Just wanted to update, they will be starting our house lifting and basement either next week or first week of March, I am soo excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I miss being home much more than I ever could have imagined possible!! As promised, when they start "lifting" the house, I will be on hand with the camera, this is a first for me and I dont' want to miss any of it. I have daffodils and other spring flowering bulbs starting to peek out of the ground now, so that is uplifting, just knowing that some things survived the flood :)
I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's and spring is progressing nicely for you all!!
God Bless
Laurrie
Laurrie-
So glad to hear you excited and things progressing to a more positive phase!
You are doing such a good job of hanging in there, and staying upbeat!
-T
OK on 3/1 they started the destruction, as if it wasn't bad to begin with LOL
Here are a few photos :(
~Laurrie
Are they having to gut the basement?? I would assume so, as it was completely under water...
I've still got all your brug cuttings, but they are now trees! LOl...I'll have to take cuttings off of them!
When you are all settled, I'll send you a HUGE box of goodies, ok?
Keep your chin up!
Are you going to stay in that house, or move?
Texas is a nice place...lol...
-T
Oh, Laurrie, looks like a long haul for you. At least you'll have some 'brand new' around you when it's done. This may be the summer to explore container gardening, even if you are too busy to bother... a basket of color, a pot of veggies... anything to give you a moment of zen.
That's wonderful advice. I'll definately keep you in my prayers.
Thanks all for the wishes and prayers - I just got back from house today, they have it just about ready to insert the steel beams to "lift" the house, yippeeee. I will stay, at some point we may decide to move on, but right now I just adore my spot too much I am afraid.
Joseph: They estimated from start to finish around a month, but at the rate they are moving, I wouldn't be surprised to be back in say a couple weeks, they sure know there business!!!
Taylor: Thanks for keeping the " trees" for me LOL, I have just not had a very nice winter at all!!
Weez: yes I will garden, not sure how or where but I just "HAVE: to!!!
Sugarweed - again thank you and all for the prayers
AND now....... here is a photo, I say one just in case it won't let me upload too many again tee hee
(the kids have had 2 days off for "snowdays" so they have been checking it out too :)
~Laurrie
