My newest column at PJ Media is up and in it, I use my harrowing experience with last week’s flood as a parable to highlight the need for disaster preparedness for you and your family.
A sample:
Crystal Creek, a normally quiet little burn that meanders through our property just before emptying into the Fox River less than a hundred yards from our front door, was looking more like the Colorado River rapids than the lazy stream Sue and I would fish on during relaxed summer weekends. And as the river downstream from our creek rose, the water began to back up. First, it flooded the brand new Cornish Park across the street from our little house. And then slowly, ominously, the brown torrent began to slide over the brand new retaining wall put in by the Army Corps of Engineers just last fall and inch its way up our newly sculpted back yard. The Corps had landscaped the yard so that there was a much more pronounced hill in front of the house which was supposed to protect us from all but the worst case flooding scenarios.
By 5:00 PM on Friday, the worst case was upon us. Nearly 14 inches of rain had fallen in August with almost 4 inches in just the last 48 hours. Now, with another conga line of thunderstorms forming to the west with even more soaking rain behind that, Sue and I feared the worst. Glued to The Weather Channel, watching helplessly as the storms raced toward us, we knew that it was only a matter of time before we had to leave.
Sure enough, at 5:45, a knock at the door. It was the police telling us it was time to go. We had until 2:00 AM to pack up whatever we could and leave.
5:37 am
Sorry to hear about that. We are finally getting some much needed rain here in the South but it won’t make up for the drought we had all summer.
Ain’t Mother Nature funny, and no algore, don’t get excited, just climate change pure and simple. Read more about what other scientist said yesterday and again, wish ya well Ric.
My son and I have discussed what we’d do if another terror attack happens but weather is not too much of an issue here since we live in such a hilly area not even tornados form well here, we are blessed.
7:50 am
Here in Florida, those of us with sense have “hurricane kits.” They usually consist of a large cooler with wheels – light weight and can be rolled out to the car if necessary. Packed inside are the necessaries to get through a week or so. Almost everyone lives in an area that faces the possibility of disaster of some kind. Any responsible person should learn what that is and be prepared. Fifty dollars worth of stuff could keep you alive.