Dodged a Bullet

This past week was spent in a flurry of activity putting things up and moving equipment to prepare for yet another flood. When we heard the temperature was going to rise and that a warm wet storm was expected we were horrified. I began the process of freaking out early in the week as I became more withdrawn and short tempered. A bonafide %&$#. I was hoping for the best but as reports continued to come in and as river forecast outlooks became increasingly grim I began to worry in earnest. It was not until Tuesday evening that I decided to act. That night we moved all the tractors and field trucks to high ground. After doing the books for the week I packed up the office and on Wednesday morning the crew came out and we set to work. We loaded all the office furniture and appliances into one of our delivery trucks, and the produce and freezers into another. I moved all my tools into the attic above the garage. We picked up everything that could float and put it in the barn, which had just been set back on its foundation (more later). We strapped down all the gigantic stuff that could float, got all of our fuel up and out of the way, loaded trailers with equipment and filled the barn with boxes and bags and inventory and supplies.

It took ten people about 9 hours to effectively move everything out of harms way. Our house is about 24 inches above grade, our laundry and the attached office as well as the shop and garage are ground level. That evening we moved the last of the vehicles and the loader tractor to high ground along with the delivery trucks full of produce, furniture and appliances.

By Wednesday at 12:30 in the afternoon the South Fork broke its banks and began filling the low spot behind the house. As the water rushed to equalize with the river the level rose a staggering 18 inches the first hour then 9, then 6. The water rose in this bowl about 6 inches per hour for the next five hours, then slowed to 5, then 4. I was checking the level every hour and preparing to put stuff up in the house the moment the water started into the yard; estimating that at 3-4 inches/hour we would have plenty of time to get everything put up and evacuate. By 2:30 am Thursday morning the water was rising at a rate of 1.75 inches per hour, and it crested at about 4am leaving just over 12 inches before threatening the yard.

I slept from about 5-11 that day and just had my first real meal last night. Though the river didn't threaten the house, and crested well below expected in the lower Chehalis valleys, the emotional ride was awful. Our recovery required a healthy dose of denial that the kind of flooding that we experienced in 2007 could ever happen again. The feeling of helplessness as I watched the water rise again, the knowledge that it had happened before.......

Yeah, anyway. We are safe and sound, as are my agricultural brothers and sisters in Independence Valley. I have yet to get a solid report from the community around Duval and Carnation. So thanks to all of you who emailed and phoned with your concern, thanks for the prayers and the help.

We intend to leave everything were it is for the time being and enjoy the peace of mind that should we have to put it up again we have successfully completed a drill and are fully capable and equipped to prepare given enough notice.

Do check out this site: http://ahps2.wrh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=sew

Click on a river and it provides real time flow and discharge as well as a forecast which in my experience is close enough to extrapolate from and form a plan of action.