Any body else flooded in ... or out?

Just barely made it home through the creek that decides to sweep across the only road to my house tonight. If it had been any higher, or any darker, I would have had to call DH to bring down the pickup and get me.

No worries about our house flooding, but now that I think about it, maybe I should be a bit worried about the slope in back? Yikes!

Hey Mz, I'm doing okay fine here. Well, aside from leaks in my workshop (I managed to rescue and dry off my new project) and a leak in my storage shed (only on one corner where nothing water damageable was stored). There are waterfalls all around my house and the driveway has been a creek a few times... the maples let go all at once and I guess the gutters are full of maple leaves. Considering the messes to homes I'm seeing on TV I certainly can't complain!

We are on high ground but the mountain creek behind us has gone from placid to raging torrent. We have exceeded 8 inches of rain in the past 36 hours, most of that in the past 20 hours. More to come, I hear. Our garage which is sited downhill from the rest of the yard always floods when the drains can't keep up and they couldn't keep up this a.m.

And to think I planned poorly taking these 3 days off to dig the rest of my dahlias.... please think of me in my muddy cruddy rainsuit while I'm out doing just that tomorrow a.m.

Weazelle, we also have one of those worrisome steep largely unvegetated slopes that hovers about 20 ft above a neighbors' only driveway in or out of his place. He was eager to include that part of the property when he sold us a couple acres years back. Now I know why! If that soil goes, it will be on our tab to fix it and do erosion control to keep his driveway open. So far, so good.

I hope everyone stays safe!

Fortunately our slope is covered with grass, shrubs and trees, but anything looming that far above one in this kind of weather makes you stop and think.

It's dry here. :-)

(...in the house!)



Very wet outside, however. The retention pond in the back is looking pretty full. The roads aren't much fun to drive, so I'm trying my best to hang out inside and keep busy doing writing, layout, etc.

We evacuated to my in-laws around noon. The water was rising fast in my neighborhood and I wasn't about to risk staying! The water is still high there and they think its going to get higher tommarrow.
Right after we got across the only bridge in or out of town, they closed it, because the water was 1 foot away from coming over the roadway. Dowtown Sultan is underwater. A lot of my friends have had to leave their flooded homes. I ran over to help my friend throw everything she could in the back of her truck as the water was coming in her back door. I watched the water as it rose 6 inches in a matter of 5 minutes!
We have surpased our 100 year flood stage. As I have mentioned on other forums, gardening for me is somewhat of a challenge because my house sits right in the middle of the old river bed. When we left our house I checked the water level across the street and it was 3 feet from coming up over the bank. I'm sure the yard will flood, I just hope it doesn't get up high enough to flood the house. But if it does, at least I get new flooring! :)

Now we are just playing the waiting game! Life sure isn't boring lately.

Hope all you guys survive this flooding. My mom and I here in Bellingham watched the news tonight. It sounds horrible for all.
Take care, NW guys!

Been watching the news a lot myself today and it sure doesn't look good in a lot of places.

We moved down here from North Bend about 13 months ago and I think it was good timing! The pictures they showed on channel 4 late tonight, the ones near the McDonald's, are about 2 blocks from where I used to live. We were there for all of the "big ones" since the mid 80's, and I've never seen it do anything like what they showed tonight. Our house never flooded since it was built in '83, but I'm not betting that it's going to stay dry through this one.

Our town is flooded, but after the last 'big one' they did a lot of raising of buildings, moving businesses out of the main flood plain, etc, so it looks like the streets are just rivers, but not too terribly much damage. We're on high ground, but I've worried about forumites - hope all are okay!

Another 3 inches out here- in Preston, Weazelle. We could have practically been neighbors had you not moved away. That makes a total of 15 in. for the month, most of it in the past couple days. arghhhhh. The creek is a raging monster where you can hear heavy rocks crashing against others- very cool sound.

But, but: it has stopped, even for a brief time, but there is nothing falling from the sky at this moment. Yes!

The news tonight said that Shelton had the highest rain total from our latest storm -- 12" since Friday. I think that's enough for now. Yikes!

LOL Ms Weazelle, you moved from one soggy locale right into another! I thought we were stuck in a miserable little microclimate here, but you might have us beat. Hope you're staying high and dry. And I certainly hope all those in lower lands are safe.

There have been many, many helicopters flying back and forth over the I 90 corridor this afternoon. I don't know if they're news copters or rescuers; probably both.

We're high and dry here. Only thing that floods is part of our garage and the driveway. Lake Lucerne, we call it. Renwings, hope everything is going to be okay with your place.
I was in Shelton on Friday and it was simply pouring buckets!

They closed hwy 202 this afternoon and most likely flying in the I 90 corridor to get a better picture of the floodzones. and more rain on the way...
The only positive is that the temps haven't dropped too much. What a mess!

I worked today and had a desperate cat owner who lost their ferrell cats (wild ones) in the flood but the domestics were hoping for a rescue. We collected 5 of their best friends covered in mud and cold to the core. I saw their eyes confused, terrified, and wanton. My only response was to hold after a warm bath and tell them all was OK even though that they were not in the comforts of the barn that was now under water. I affects more than those displaced by the floods. Right now their cows are standing or floating away. The animal is the victim and the people are the payee of insurance. How sad this is.

My mom remarried in 1974 and our new family moved from Seattle to Snoqualmie. For Christmas that year my new older brother and I each got a horse, and they were pastured in Fall City since we didn't have any land yet. In February '75 we had a pretty good flood and both of the horses were drowned because we couldn't get to them. At least, we assume they both drowned -- we never did find my horse. My family got other horses later on, but it was never the same. :-(

Sorry life is difficult even when you know where to go. If you don't it is even harder.

My husband went and checked this afternoon. Most of our neighbors got water in their yards, but we managed to avoid even that. So I'm counting myself blessed. Part of me was hoping the yard would flood, it would have solved my mole problem.

A lot of people aren't out of this yet, Snohomish is expecting to get flooded tonight.

Honestly, as I was throwing what I could in the car and trying to remember everything I needed to take care of my girls away from home for a few days. The last thing I thought of was the chickens. Just as my husband was shutting off the power, I ran into the backyard and opened up their pen so they could get somewhere higher if they wanted to. And made sure to put their food up high too, so they would at least have something to eat.

And we're supposed to get snow later on!

Glad it worked out for you renwings. And I love your drastic "silver lining" idea of floody mole control. I bet that would finally be the solution for me and my many moles!

Sorry to hear about your sad horse tail Ms.Weazelle. I think that part of not knowing what happened to a lost animal is the worst feeling. Maybe the horse is living the high life somewhere in the state unbeknownst to you? Still a sad loss and so traumatic for them.

Meanwhile, back on dryer ground: I spent the entire day outdoors without rain gear- Yippee!

Pooch - are you out by the Raging River by chance? I used to live right near it & when the waters surged the sound was incredible. I was counting my blessings last night while viewing clips of the damage some have sustained. I'm up high, so no water worries here. Access - that's another problem, but nothing major. Interesting how water impacts our lives in so many ways.
Lucky day for those who could be outside enjoying that wonderful sun / blue skies! Keeping my fingers crossed for a dry weekend...

Now that I'm home , here is a pic I took as we fled Sultan before they closed the only bridge out.

I got about 4 feet higher than that later in the night on Tuesday. I am glad we left when we did, they were trying to evacuate, but all the roads were flooded, the bridges dangerous . . .

Sofer, I don't know how you can bear it doing the work you do. I was listening to a show on the radio yesterday where they interviewed an organization that is out rescuing abandoned animals in northwestern washington. They described a horse that was up to its shoulders in water. They made an excellent point. They thought we had learned our lessons about leaving animals behind during hurricane Katrina - that people don't want to abandon their animals and that they should be allowed to bring them if the people have to go to a shelter. they are working with the red cross and other local humanitarian organizations to set up areas where people can bring their pets so they don't have to choose between their animals and their own lives. Animals are always the innocent victims and it is simply heartbreaking.
Renwings, I can't believe that photo!! I am glad you are safely away, and that you remembered your chickens!

Renwings, such scary stuff - you can't imagine how fortunate I feel living where I do. I-5 North during rush hour today, though, was like a parking lot (way more so than usual, that is). I heard on the radio (not much else to do but listen) that so many roads were washed out that it put way more commuters out on the highway. At least it was a lovely day - and even driving slowly home from Seattle wasn't all that bad.

Sofer, I do so agree with Pixy - I can cry as easily (or maybe even MORE easily) about animals in trouble than people. If I weren't married to such a non-animal person, I would have at least three more cats and probably at least three dogs.

Animals are or only expression of unconditional love. We all need them to feel the love of out creator, or whoever you see as your superior. I always feel loved by them.

We currently have 2 dogs, 2 cats and 2 ferrets (no, there's no one in my family named Noah) and when ever I worry about something bad happening I always worry most about the animals not being able to get out of the house! I can't imagine what I'd do if I had to chose between getting myself out safely and saving one or more of them. :-(

Another friend of mine up the canyon decided not to leave because she had nowhere to take her goats. She ended up loosing the bridge to her house and power for quite a while.

You have never known real love, joy, anguish or fear until you have had children. "It is no slight thing when they, so fresh from The Creator, love us." I was not about to stay there, even if I knew the chickens might drown. It was not a hard choice. But I am not totally without a heart, I would have mourned for them, like I have for every animal I have lost in one way or another. I DO understand some people love their pets like children. Which is not without nobility.

I'll admit to the stereo-type -- I'm your classic barren female. I was never able to have children so of course I've lavished my attention on my pets! :-)

I’ve been horrified at the images on the news of homes in Oregon quite literally slipping into raging river water. My heart really goes out to those folks. One homeowner was on the brink of tears as a newscaster reported that some sort of protective construction was halted due to insufficient funding long before he even purchased his home. What a way to find out such a thing! And according to a local paper, “Gov. Ted Kulongoski didn't cut much slack Wednesday to coastal homeowners losing their investments to erosion caused by rain and waves … ‘If you want a view, there's always a price to be paid for it,’ he said.”

It makes me feel a little silly to be freaking out over the standing water in my crawl spaces. Still and all, I’m going to look into getting some kind of pump to get the water out before it becomes a real problem.

Keep the faith all ...

Yes, many down here have lost a lot. And to top it off people are stealing from the homes that are falling apart and that had to be abandoned.

Oh those poor homeowners in Sultan, and also on the OR coast or anywhere. One million bucks down the drain on the oceanfront place in OR. I can't imagine what they feel. Gee, what a heartless Governor with that comment!

Renwings God Bless your goat-loving neighbor! Everyone looks down on goats and yet they have been among my favorite beasts kept as pets along with dogs, cats, and a mouse to which I'm particularly attached. I hope your chickens are found and well- perhaps they never even left?

There was a spot on the news where the Evergreen State Fairgrounds opened up their paddocks and stalls and barns to rescued animals and birds! I would be 100% behind any effort to coordinate such animal rescues/relocations in an emergency situation. Transporting them would be the biggest hurdle. They are living, feeling, creatures and deserve an effort to be saved. Even my mouse. But if it were very dire circumstances, and the choice was to save human vs animal, I guess the pecking order would have to kick in.

Sofer, I feel the animals ARE often our superiors, and I applaud the work you do, as well. It must be greatly satisfying to get someone's furry friend back on their feed or feet to go through another day together. And if you can't fix them, then to ease their suffering and comfort the owner.

Katye, we are on Tiger Mountain, well up from the Raging, but as the crow flies: about a mile or less from the washed out bridge serving Upper Preston where the Raging River rages.

Estreya, by all means I hope you get the water out of your crawlspaces! It pales in comparison to 3 feet of water throughout your house, but still not a good thing.

Mgh- Looters: if it came to saving animals or saving looters; I'd go for the mice and chickens!

In Nevada County, CA we had a plan to make the fair grounds available for pets in any emergency. During floods and most memorably the 49er Fire hundreds of pets were taken there. People volunteered with their trailers and vans for transport. Dogs, cats, horses and other livestock spent days and even weeks there with people all over the area donating food, money and labor to maintain them. Aside from having to clean up after it was all over I don't think the county bore any significant expense. Darn but I was proud of my neighbors!

Poochella: The chickens didn't wander off! I was surprised to come home and find them wandering around the backyard. They looked a little stressed out. I was worried a wild animal would get them.
I haven't heard anything here yet about how many animals were lost.

Congratulations renwings! A lucky break for your fowl.

KatyMac, Nevada County, CA folks rock! That is a fine example of a community that cares. Always nice to hear of people working with each other for a good cause.

I just heard from another aquaintance across the river. She got all of her livestock out, though she was herdering cows in thigh deep water down her driveway. But she lost her house, her stables, her barn and her riding areana. When the house flooded, a spark started a fire. There was nothing they could do but watch it burn. She lost her antique collection in the fire.
I can't even imagine how she feels right now. What a crying shame.

Speaking of looters, maybe the dept. of fish and game should declare open season on looters this year. That is almost as bad as all the hotels in the area charging higher prices for rooms when people who are flooded out. Talk about kicking you when your down.

Oh that's terrible! And I can't believe the hotels are gouging people! I thought there were laws against that, although I'm not naive enough to think that they wouldn't do it anyway. I'm so sorry for your friend, Renwings.

So sorry for your friend Renwings. A fire and total loss of your home is a complete upset. You can say things like 'at least they got out themselves' but that doesn't account for the total, utter loss of all they held dear and familiar. I'm sure they aren't the only ones who suffered such losses.

As for the price gougers in the hotel industry, I just hope they get their due later on down the road.

We are now 1/10th of an inch short of 2 feet of rain in November here. Not even half the month gone. I couldn't even face going out to the garden in a modest little rain today I am so, so sick of wetness. Hubby is doubtful of our raingauge's accuracy so he bought another one LOL!~ Either a doubting Tom, or a glutton for punishment; I'm not sure which. BUT: on an interesting note: not one new mole mound has been spotted in the yard for a couple weeks!

My gosh, Poochella - what is your rainfall so far for the year, do you know? That's more than we have for the whole 11.5 months.

Frankly, I think local hotels ought to be ponying up several rooms apiece at no charge to house people who have lost their homes.

Pixy, if hotels started doing things like that, it could start a chain reaction and we could end up with peace in the world. And wouldn't that be nice? It's pretty simple: "do unto others . . ."

Take a look at this. It is good news about the rain. http://davesgarden.com/members/Soferdig/ Life can be good.