A Quick Post-Storm Update

First---we are OK

Second---the water isn't inside our house...yet

But! It is in our barn...

The water is still rising and has covered our road and is up to the first step of our back porch.

One of our neighbors has 2 inches of water in their house. Sadly, they had just renovated and had just laid the carpeting. They evacuated late last night.

The new sink hole continues to grow.

As of 0645 this morning, the waters were about 5 feet from our house. By 0830 the water had reached the gravel walkway just off the porch and by 1015 the water was up to the first step of the back porch.

New issues: 3 alligators were spotted last night by the neighbors across the street who back up to a larger pond behind them. About 10 alligators have been seen in the past---3 of which are over 6 feet long. News to us! But, the water moccasins (deadly snakes) are not news, and they are prowling the area. Just what we need...

When we were out there, our neighbor who was housing a fellow member of her church who had been flooded out of his home, he suffered a heart attack. The streets were crowded with two EMS trucks, a hook n' ladder fire truck, and multiple county vehicles and access was suspended for about 2 hours. They never did get the larger trucks to the victim, but brought him out and then loaded him into the ambulance.

I have pictures and video galore, but my camera battery died. When it recharges and I have the opportunity to blog more thoroughly, I will post many of them. Please stay tuned.

Another storm system of equal intensity is heading on the same path as the one from last night. It is due to arrive on Sunday. We hope that the waters will have receded some by the time it arrives.

We also know that the storm arriving is dumping rain and snow on the Pacific Northwest and Colorado (plus other locations).

Final verdict: We are done. We are not going to continue with the renovation. However, we have NO idea of what to do next.

Now I'm praying for a tornado to level our swamp house....this time we have the neighbors all wishing for the same thing...

But, yes, we still recognize the numerous blessings that have been poured upon us. Thanks for your prayers--they've obviously been working. Now please join us with the prayer for a tornado to finish the job the rising waters have started---only to come when no one is around.

Crazy weather indeed!