Heavy flooding in South Carolina today. President Obama has just declared it a National Emergency. If you want to read a blog post from someone who lives there, I have a link to Laurie's blog, you may read it here.
On a personal note, my stepmother was trying to drive back to Georgia today and her journey required her to come through Columbia, South Carolina. (She had been visiting her family just north of Columbia.) Once she reached Columbia, she had to turn around, many of the roads were closed, including the interstate highways. If you look at a map of the area, you will notice that there are several rivers. Imagine all of them flooded, and you will see why she couldn't make it. I think I saw on the Weather Channel that they closed 300 roads in Columbia and as I watched it, I was told that a woman was swept away in the flood and had died. (I think that seven have died in the state from the flooding.) Did I also hear that it was thousands that had to be rescued by boat from their homes? Sorry, I have been a bit worried all day about this, and I could look this up for you, but you all might know more about this than I do! I spoke with my stepmom later in the day and she made it back to her family's home and is now safe. I hope that she will not attempt the journey again until she knows for sure that the roads are passable. My Dad is eager for her to return but the main thing is to be safe!
There is a phrase that they mentioned several times on the Weather Channel and it is worth repeating...
TURN AROUND......DON'T DROWN!
The power of water is very strong and the water level can rise very quickly. If you are driving and see water covering the road, do not attempt to drive any further. I just saw TV coverage of a man being rescued from the water and there was his large pick up truck half submerged in the water behind him. I am sure that he thought he could make it through in such a large vehicle. Thankfully, it looked as though he was being brought to safety.
Also, do not go to view the swollen creeks and flooded rivers after heavy rains. This is just my own personal observation, but there are always accounts of people falling into the swift running water and drowning.
We have had a rainy weekend in the Atlanta area but nothing like the rain that fell in South Carolina...I am praying for all who have been affected by this.
UPDATE AS OF OCT. 5th- My step mother made it home safely today. I spoke with her on the phone and it was such a relief to hear her laughter! (She has a great sense of humor besides also having a great faith in God.)
Still praying for those in South Carolina.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 |
| These are some more flowers that I planted from seed...I like the coreopsis turning to the sun! |
Oh gracious! I hadn't heard about this. We've been so busy. How scary! We have the same warning about drowning in Hawaii too.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the pictures on TV from Columbia have been scary. Living on an island, I know that you must keep a close eye on the weather too!
Deletexx
You've said it very well, Kay. I might add that our friends are asking that people don't try driving down the flooded streets because it causes waves which pushes more water into their homes. Hope your step-mom makes it home safely.
ReplyDeleteOh Laurie, just the thought of waves caused by passing cars pushing up against a house!! Oh dear, I still can't believe it!
DeleteMy step mother did make it home safely, thank you. She had to drive up to Charlotte and come home on I-85 but she make it! I am very thankful.
one of my great friends lives there. it is unbelievable to me.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope your good friend is okay! They are calling this a once in a thousand year event!
DeleteThe flooding has caused such devastation on the east coast. I hope that everyone stays safe.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine the amount of rain that South Carolina received this past weekend, it has been incredible.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about all this major flooding in your area Kay, and thank goodness your stepmother is safe. We have floods on a regular basis here, and no matter how much publicity the media offer, people will insist on doing dangerous things and drive into floodwaters. The will be several dramatic rescues every time, and frequently loss of a life. The authorities must wring the hands wondering how to get the message through. Your comments are very timely.
ReplyDeleteWater is very powerful and one can get swept away so quickly. You might could tell that I was thinking very much of those in the flood yesterday and was praying very hard!
DeleteRather dramatic here in Europe, too, especially in the South of France around the areas of Cannes and Nice (where my cousin and her family live). People in a home for the elderly have died because their rooms were on the ground floor and the water level rose so quickly. Others on camping grounds and elsewhere have died, too; main news on telly last night said 17 at least, with several more still unaccounted for.
ReplyDeleteGood to know your stepmother is safe!
That is so sad about the elderly people dying due to the rising water! And since my Dad & step mom also enjoy camping, I know how dangerous it can be for campers in dangerous storms.
DeleteMy step mother DID make it home safely! I spoke with her today. I am grateful.
Turn around and don't drown is a good motto for sure. When we get heavy rains here in Ohio, our roads will flood and I don't travel either in weather like that. Will be praying for all those affected too.
ReplyDeleteBetter safe than sorry...that is another saying that also applies here!
DeleteThat's terrible. I'm glad that your stepmother got out safe and sound and is no worse for wear. Dying is never worth the journey and it's always best to just turn around and go back the way you came.
ReplyDeleteTurn around, don't drown...another good phrase to remember... in regards having your clothes on fire...Stop, drop and roll. I remember visiting my son in 1st grade and having the firemen telling the children....don't run. just drop and roll.,...Stop, drop and roll. I remember seeing on the news that very often children having learned this in school would save a parent in a fire by telling them this.
DeleteI have been reading about the flooding in South Carolina and wondered about you. Hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteSouth Carolina will take a while to recover from this but they will, they are a strong people!
DeleteIt's so sad. Praying for everyone in the area.
ReplyDeleteI know. Me too.
DeleteIt has been scary watching the weather reports from South Carolina, hope your StepMother made it home safely.
ReplyDeleteYes, she did! Watching the TV today, it looks like it might take a while to build the roads back.
DeleteSouth Carolina has really been hit. thanks for sharing your observations, Kay. Glad that you step-mom made it okay. Your warning about the power of water is spot on. Even a six inch flow of water can knock you off your feet. And you don't know what else is in that water. I've been thinking of the impacted people too. It's tragic when lives are lost. As our climate changes there will be more extreme weather. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThey are calling this flood a one thousand year event and it looks as though it will take a while for the state to recover.
DeleteThey are warning of snakes in the water. Man, that's enough to keep me out of it!
My #2 son and his family used to live in Greenville, SC....I would be frantic if they were still there. We do have friends in Columbia and we're praying for their safety and hopefully their home is OK. The amount of rain and damage is staggering. The weather patterns have certainly be an issue all over the US.
ReplyDeleteI know, it seems that there is always something brewing in the world of wild weather! Hope your friends in Columbia are okay, Yaya!! xx
DeleteI am glad that your stepmom is OK and safe and dry. Very good advice of yours, floodwater is incredibly dangerous no matter how shallow or calm it seems, just stay away! xx
ReplyDeleteYes, just don't go near storm water! xx
DeleteWe get bad floods almost every year now in the UK. It can be frightening driving around with so many roads blocked off by water, especially at night after dark in the winter months when its nightfall around 4:00pm here.
ReplyDeleteIn the USA, everything is built around the car, so our roads are really something that we take for granted! I well remember how early the day ends on your island in the winter! And to compound that with flooding, that would be scary.
DeleteSo glad she made it home ... so sorry to hear of those who didn't. God be merciful to all who are suffering the effects of this storm.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue.
DeleteYour comment reminded me of a hymn..."There's A Wideness In God's Mercy".
Hope you are doing well, my friend!
There is so much in this world beyond the scale of an individual's emotions. We just can't do justice to it. I gave one donation for a homeless family from the fires in California, the relatives of some people I know. Glad you are out of the storm.
ReplyDeleteBeyond the scale of an individual's emotions...yes, that is exactly so. The fires in California, they kept showing it on the news and my heart goes out to them.
Delete