Cat M Klingler
I was cleaning the house for a maintenance visit. Our stove finally died. I had just finished cleaning up my husband’s desk, where does he get so many candy wrappers…I never see him eat anything? Any way, I picked up the trash bag of candy wrappers and empty cans and headed to the patio door where we keep the trash can. I dropped it on the floor next to the trash. I looked out the door! At first it did not register that I was looking at a sea of water moving towards me. I mean we live in a place that has never seen flooding. But there it was and here it came. I freaked, dropping the loose change (almost two bucks worth too) I had gathered off the desk into the trash. I Ran to the front door and out to the porch. You know, if you see a wall of water, you really want to run more of a direction away from it, but I ran to it. It was all over and around me now. The street in front of our home was now a raging river of dark brown water and floating things like tires and sticks and trash cans.
I tried calling my husband on the cell but he was in an area that could not accept the call. A call came in from my husband’s brother. I answered,
“Hey, does Paul want the books?” he asked.
“ I don’t know, I cant get a hold of him and right now there is a sea in my yard!” I calmly said. “A what?” he exclaimed. “A big giant sea! I have to go, I have to get hold of Paul.” I hung up after I heard him say ok. Over and over the cell would not pick up. As I looked up to the other porches and I saw everyone, like me, staring at what used to be our street. It was then I realized it was eerily quiet. There was just the sound of the rushing water, no birds, no talking. We all stood in silence for a few moments trying to comprehend. I did notice everyone was trying to call out on their cell phones as well. A tire rushed by, followed by a plastic bunny. Odd! I went in and grabbed my camera and took photos and videos. I thought about leaving but I was surrounded. I went back in and started putting things in garbage bags as well as disconnecting all the electronics. I put my computer on the counter and made a bag of essentials like medicines, purse and papers, and any money and jewelry in the house. I made a second bag of clothing. The cell rang, it was Paul. He was on his way home. I told him he could not get here it’s all water just get someplace close and safe. I went outside to look again and the water had indeed been rising. It was now over the fire hydrant and helicopters were flying around. I saw one guy on the roof of his place further down the road. Later I learned it was over your head that far down. Boats came and announced that they would come get everyone so I pulled a chair into the patio doorway and waited. The cell rang and it was my husband Paul. We talked, we talked about what we wanted saved, what we wished we could do and that we wish we could be together, preferably on his side where it was nice and dry. The cell soon ran out and I waited some more. So many odd things managed to float by, a plastic duck, a Totinos pizza box, another duck, a bed, dozens of tires, a pot with pansies, a cooking pot, and a car, yes a car floated down the street. A trash can floated by the door and I snagged it. I thought well if I have to I can pack this thing and walk out. A knock came at the front door, that was strange in its self. I said come in, and relief washed over me as I realized they had come for me. It was a wonderful Sergeant Major Bailey from the National Guard and he came to get me out. I ended up in a boat with two others and two dogs, learning fast how to row as the guy pulling the boat was almost up to his eyes in the water and we were gliding over things like hydrants, and bushes and at one point the antlers of a big plastic deer. We glided in and out of the house amazed the whole way at the amount of water and devastation. Soon we reached the waters edge and I saw my husband, still clutching his cell phone. He was the best sight I laid my eyes on all day. He reached his hand out and pulled me from the boat. Now getting to a safe place to rest….that’s a whole story in itself. I would like to thank the Red Cross, Q-mix, The salvation army, The Republic, The Church of Latter Day Saints, Strangers that just decided to help, and last but not least Sergeant Major Bailey who came to my house to get me out safe and well.
I was cleaning the house for a maintenance visit. Our stove finally died. I had just finished cleaning up my husband’s desk, where does he get so many candy wrappers…I never see him eat anything? Any way, I picked up the trash bag of candy wrappers and empty cans and headed to the patio door where we keep the trash can. I dropped it on the floor next to the trash. I looked out the door! At first it did not register that I was looking at a sea of water moving towards me. I mean we live in a place that has never seen flooding. But there it was and here it came. I freaked, dropping the loose change (almost two bucks worth too) I had gathered off the desk into the trash. I Ran to the front door and out to the porch. You know, if you see a wall of water, you really want to run more of a direction away from it, but I ran to it. It was all over and around me now. The street in front of our home was now a raging river of dark brown water and floating things like tires and sticks and trash cans.
I tried calling my husband on the cell but he was in an area that could not accept the call. A call came in from my husband’s brother. I answered,
“Hey, does Paul want the books?” he asked.
“ I don’t know, I cant get a hold of him and right now there is a sea in my yard!” I calmly said. “A what?” he exclaimed. “A big giant sea! I have to go, I have to get hold of Paul.” I hung up after I heard him say ok. Over and over the cell would not pick up. As I looked up to the other porches and I saw everyone, like me, staring at what used to be our street. It was then I realized it was eerily quiet. There was just the sound of the rushing water, no birds, no talking. We all stood in silence for a few moments trying to comprehend. I did notice everyone was trying to call out on their cell phones as well. A tire rushed by, followed by a plastic bunny. Odd! I went in and grabbed my camera and took photos and videos. I thought about leaving but I was surrounded. I went back in and started putting things in garbage bags as well as disconnecting all the electronics. I put my computer on the counter and made a bag of essentials like medicines, purse and papers, and any money and jewelry in the house. I made a second bag of clothing. The cell rang, it was Paul. He was on his way home. I told him he could not get here it’s all water just get someplace close and safe. I went outside to look again and the water had indeed been rising. It was now over the fire hydrant and helicopters were flying around. I saw one guy on the roof of his place further down the road. Later I learned it was over your head that far down. Boats came and announced that they would come get everyone so I pulled a chair into the patio doorway and waited. The cell rang and it was my husband Paul. We talked, we talked about what we wanted saved, what we wished we could do and that we wish we could be together, preferably on his side where it was nice and dry. The cell soon ran out and I waited some more. So many odd things managed to float by, a plastic duck, a Totinos pizza box, another duck, a bed, dozens of tires, a pot with pansies, a cooking pot, and a car, yes a car floated down the street. A trash can floated by the door and I snagged it. I thought well if I have to I can pack this thing and walk out. A knock came at the front door, that was strange in its self. I said come in, and relief washed over me as I realized they had come for me. It was a wonderful Sergeant Major Bailey from the National Guard and he came to get me out. I ended up in a boat with two others and two dogs, learning fast how to row as the guy pulling the boat was almost up to his eyes in the water and we were gliding over things like hydrants, and bushes and at one point the antlers of a big plastic deer. We glided in and out of the house amazed the whole way at the amount of water and devastation. Soon we reached the waters edge and I saw my husband, still clutching his cell phone. He was the best sight I laid my eyes on all day. He reached his hand out and pulled me from the boat. Now getting to a safe place to rest….that’s a whole story in itself. I would like to thank the Red Cross, Q-mix, The salvation army, The Republic, The Church of Latter Day Saints, Strangers that just decided to help, and last but not least Sergeant Major Bailey who came to my house to get me out safe and well.