Surviving a flood: updated with link to pics.

**Darlene** · 10-06-2011, 10:09 AM

There were things we did right and others we wish we had the crystal ball that would have let us know more we could have done. After an afternoon of celebrating my sons engagement to a wonderful young lady we made our way home to get ready for what Hurricane Irene might send our way. We started by getting all lawn furniture up and out of the way then when things looked worse we started getting things of basement floor and set up the sump pump. Later the fire dept is coming around and telling us it will be as high as the '96 flood and we fared ok though that and continued to get things off basement floor. Once again fire dept stops by and tells us we have to evacuate and the possible dam breaking sirens are going off..Ds and his fiancee are stopping to drop some things off and hadn't a clue to the drama they were walking in on. Now we are in full panic mode. What to grab and put up and how high? The kids were so good about grabbing and hauling stuff up higher. figured it can't go higher than the top of the coffee table or bed, right? We did get some electronics upstairs but forgot the cords...all the while that dam siren is going off. File cabinet went up with health records inside. From the main floor I grabbed a couple changes clothes & 2 pairs shoes for each of us,meds, checkbook, important papers,dog & cat food, moved all cars and hightailed it up the hill to stay with friends. If I knew we had time I would have put more up and higher. I would have grabbed some fav jewelry and kids school papers I saved over the years. I would have grabbed some of my cookbooks, figures my least favs were higher up. woulda grabbed Jacks fishing stuff, the man had suitcase of lures & both reg and ultra light rods....
We went back the next day and saw that the water was to the end of our thousand ft.driveway and knew we were screwed.

The house has now been gutted as high up as the water level went and that was 5' on the first floor. and is now being sold as a shell. House worth prob $170-180 a month or so ago is now on the market for 70 and we'll be lucky if we get 30-50k. No flood insurance.

Our driveway isn't passable and we have to park at the fork in the road or after many dry days we can make it to the garage which is now being used to hold all the crap we gutted from the house. Oh the smell of the mud mess, can't describe it. The feelings we get driving down that driveway, seeing the mess & smelling it too really does something to us. So hard to keep going back. We need to get what's upstairs and that's mostly. stuff the kids stored there, twin bed, couple dressers, toys, books. Outside we need to untangle the garden fence mess, cut down the trees knocked over, try to make some kind of driveway from what's been deposited where there wasn't a road. Then we won't have to go back, won't have to be sad about how happy we were there. Everything we now own can prob fit in one of those 4'x8' uhaul trailers you can pull behind your car.

We are ok where we are but it isn't home. I'm all about home and have lost so much more than stuff. That place was my peace of mind, many joys were from the birds, the water, the wildlife I've shared with you over the years. I know I'll get that back someday but for now it's just a little empty space waiting to be filled. I know it will be, and I see it in the walks I go on here, beautiful long deserted wooded road that has a wonderful brook running beside it. Next time I'm there I'll take some pics.

Jack and I are used to being able to take care of ourselves but this thing was greater than the both of us. Family and friends and st ranges too have reached out to help us get through and start over. It makes me cry every time I think what people have done.
I hope none of you ever have to walk back into your home for the first time after the water has receded and just look over at your husband and just hug & cry and thinking omg, "What do we do now? With the love of family and friends you start grabbing the muddy mess and start sorting, toss or keep and haul the crap out to the garage where your pile grows. All those things, meant something. Table where we ate & celebrated and kids did homework. Dining Room set that was supposed to go to Nicole and was her great grandmothers...Pictures, awards etc I saved of the kids to show their kids. everything a stinking muddy mess. There were joyful finds too but not many. We didn't all just stand around and cry, there were some funny moments like when sil was mucking out the linen closet and came across a bag of maxi pads and said "wow these things really are absorbent!" That bag was HUGE,lmao.
What advice can I give to you? A list. Make it now and put it on your kitchen cabinet door. On that list put everything you want to grab & add to it when you think of something else. When the crisis is going on you cannot remember everything/anything. Another thing, put things up higher than you think you need them.

I'm going to make a album of some of the pics and will add a link here when I do.
Thanks for all of your help and I'll continue to share the journey with you. Future's a little bumpy but good stuff on the way.

**OOwl** · 10-06-2011, 10:43 AM

Wow, what a saga, and what an amazing story. Do take new pictures, to show your grandchildren how you survived something so horrible, that's a life lesson that probably means more than passing along a tangible thing anyway. Thank you for sharing your story, and advice. I'm, indeed, sorry that happened to you, but I admire your strength and hope. Best wishes on a happy future.

**Libby** · 10-06-2011, 12:34 PM

The flood took many physical things from you. Things.

The flood was unable to take away your awards, achievements and memories and will never be able to. Just keep reflecting upon them and one day soon, you'll be able to pass on these stories/memories onto your grandkids.

The tips you've given us - priceless. As I read your story, all I could think about was 'What would I take?' Im always reading tips on preparedness and survival but haven't fully gotten things ready to be called upon. Maybe this will kick my butt in gear.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

Glad you, Jack and the pets are OK

**Ramona** · 10-06-2011, 12:49 PM

I admire your courage in dealing with this terrible force of nature and looking toward your future.

**HappyMama** · 10-06-2011, 12:56 PM

Thank you so much for sharing your story and tips Darlene.

I am so sorry for what you went through and lost, but so grateful to the Lord you and Jack are OK.

You are so strong, courageous and such a beautiful person, I am sending you strength, blessings and big hugs.

**homemaker66** · 10-06-2011, 01:03 PM

Keeping you and your family in our daily prayers.

**brenda67** · 10-06-2011, 01:31 PM

Thank you for sharing your story with us Darlene..You can't help but to feel your emotions when reading your post..When I was 11yrs old my brothers 10 & 8 on Febuary 9,1979 watched our home burn to the ground..the only item's we salvaged was the clothes that were in our dryer and of coarse the clothes we were wearing..this is after watching our families Farm burn to the ground 2 yrs before that..watching our barn cat's and kittens running out of the barn's on fire ..watching my family member's cry (I never saw my family cry other than my mom) that will break any person witnessing such tragedy..I do know your pain just in different circumstances..I'm not trying to hijack your post but just wanted you to know that in time your wounds will heal never completely obviously you will never forget..I'm glad that you & Jack are okay! I pray that you have your peaceful serenity real soon ....Love,Brenda

**Darlene** · 10-06-2011, 01:32 PM

Here is a link to pics. http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/...lood-more.html

**nuisance26** · 10-06-2011, 02:11 PM

~I just wanna cry. The damage is unreal.

I am so happy that you and your family are safe and well though. ((hug)) ~

**Darlene** · 10-06-2011, 04:05 PM

Thank you for your kind words. I'll add thoughts as they pop into my head...so wierd that some items look just like I left them like dishes in the drying rack and kitchen aid on counter and other things ended up in totaly different places or gone all together.
Another thought, have all account numbers and phone numbers on your list. When you need to call the power co, trash etc. to cancel service it's so handy to have that all written down ahead of time.
Let others take care of you, epecially the first few days. I couldn't think straight and the first time I tried to use a computer to pay a bill I couldn't remember (?!) how to use the darn thing, I was operating on fumes. Sil cooked for us, bil came from NC loaded to take over and get stuff done. He came with huge generator, gas, gloves, masks, tarps, buckets, bags and a plan. First thing, get the wallboard & insulation out and go from there. Surround yourself if you can with people like that who care & jump in, let them help you. Say yes, don't say no.
Don't be surrprised when your memory goes, lol. I kept asking the same thing often or forgot other things, you don't get much sleep you get wacky,lol. I'm finally getting back to "normal"

More thoughts to come. Thanks for listening to me, helps me too to get this stuff out of my head & on "paper".

**NikoSan999** · 10-06-2011, 06:57 PM

I've got cold chills. This is the first I've read of it. I'm so sorry. I can't imagine the hell you and your family have went thru.

**Ramona** · 10-06-2011, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Darlene

Here is a link to pics. http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/...lood-more.html

I think what scared me the most was seeing the refrigerator on its side.

**brenda67** · 10-06-2011, 07:54 PM

How sad to see those pictures Darlene..your home was absolutely beautiful! Is there anyway you can fix it? Is there anyway of getting a loan from the bank? I mean if someone else was to buy it what would they be able to do to it? Gut it? I'm just wondering if it would benefit you more from trying to fix it yourself's verse's selling it money wise?

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-06-2011, 08:21 PM

Even with the damage, it's still a beautiful house and property. I hope someone sees the potential in it and makes you a fair offer.

**mauimagic** · 10-06-2011, 10:34 PM

So good to hear your voice Darlene. What a mess - am embracing you and yours in aloha and prayers. Stay in touch when you can - you are thought of often.