Rain and Flooding

Source: Foodie

Summing up the last couple of days would be FLOODING. 

The situation in our area remains stable, with no flooding reported here. However, nearby communities and locations just down the country road have not been as fortunate. Creeks and tributaries swelled to resemble the sea, leading to flooded farmland and orchards.




Source: X

I live less than a mile from the border of a small town where I attend my Bible Study Fellowship on Wednesdays.

Monday evening, I heard a nail-biting event on the scanner, followed by emergency dispatch, and on X. 

A young family found themselves in a flash flood while attempting to cross the road. With a 2-year-old and a 3-month-old in the mother’s arms, along with the husband and a teenager, they faced a terrifying moment.

Thank God, they were rescued and emerged safe.

Tuesday morning, I awoke to a flurry of text messages. The church that hosts our BSF in Palo Cedro had experienced significant flooding and a sewer backup.

All of us Leaders and admins quickly organized to inform 300 ladies and their children, ranging from infants to high schoolers, to stay home and to stay tuned for further arraignments. 

Earlier this morning were able to hold our group sessions across multiple Zoom calls, demonstrating our resilience. 






Source: Foodie

A few streets away from Foodie, Churn Creek experienced significant flooding, affecting both roads and farmland in the vicinity.

On Sunday, at the crack of dawn, my son was cycling to work at 5 am when he suddenly found himself caught in an unexpected mini flash flood! The water surged to his ankles, and its incredible force nearly knocked him off his feet. Even he was surprised at how little it takes. The power of that water was stronger than it looked. 

As soon as I heard about his wild morning adventure, I insisted on driving him to work, on Monday morning.  He absolutely won't ask for my help, and I can’t quite figure out why. I respect his independence and capability, but even the strongest among us can face challenges! Eventually, he caved in; he knew I wouldn't take NO for an answer!

Monday was not that bad - but still, I'm glad I was able to be there. 

I wish he would stop this nonsense about not owning a vehicle. 







This area in question is a floodplain, and no houses were affected by flooding.





Source: Foodie


Cool photo. 



God's Promis





Source: Foodie


It is perplexing why some individuals choose to cross flooded waters, especially when there is a swollen creek nearby that appears very dangerous, resembling a small ocean off the road. Understanding the risks associated with such conditions is important for ensuring safety during these rain events. 






Tuesday evening 


And then, just like that - a stunning sunset at the Target parking lot, last night -  reminding us of beauty in every moment.







While waiting at the drive-thru at In-N-Out, I was captivated by the sight of these trees bursting into bloom. Their delicate white blossoms danced in the breeze; I believe they are flowering pear trees. 

Once again, little love notes from God -

 





Woke up this morning to a beautiful clear day. 

My almond tree is looking beautiful. 








Still don't know what these are, but they are a strikingly beautiful yellow flowering bush








The rosemary are in full bloom with their pretty delicate blue flowers






This Primrose was previously in flower boxes in my front yard. Approximately three years ago, I decided to transplant them into pots for better management and growth.






My red geranium keeps blooming despite the wind and rain.






I'm just keeping you all up-to-date and in the loop.

 I'm sorry I have been inconsistent in commenting on your blogs - I managed to get out a Hodgepodge on Sunday and scheduled that for today. I was going to schedule this post for tomorrow so as not to compete with the Hodgepodge, but I am posting it today anyway.  


It looks like we’ll be returning to a clearing trend, so we can finally dry out, but it was a wild few days!


Oh, and before I sign out - I had an old friend contact me on Monday—one I thought I’d never see again this side of Heaven! We lost touch when she moved from Tennessee to Kansas in 2017, so we have a lot to catch up on. We go way back to when we were both living in the Bay Area and were divorced moms. We provided wonderful support to each other during that time. I attended her wedding to her second husband, and she had a baby who is now a grown man with two little children!

So it's been fun fun fun! 


Until next time, I do hope this post finds you all dry, warm, and enjoying the season God has you in. 

Debby




























 

Comments

  1. I am so glad your son is alright!! Why does he not want a car? Maybe the cost of the upkeep? That Mom who tried to cross the water was putting her small children in such danger, yikes!! the flowers there are gorgeous. But my favorite photo is the gorgeous Target sky!! Your almond tree is beautiful. Your church is so well organized and full of such dedicated members!

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    1. He desires keeping a small carbon footprint.
      I thought of you Ginny when I saw the sunset!

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  2. Certainly dry, but cold and the snow keeps right on coming. We could get up to 20 cm which would be about 4 inches. Not much in the grand scheme of things but the wind is picking up so we will have drifts and the visibility is getting very bad. I am glad that you got Foodie to allow you to drive him to work.

    God bless.

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    1. It’s just the way winter is - we expect rain in the winter - and snow and cold weather where you live.

      Delete
  3. Wow, I knew things were dicey in your neck of the woods but boy that looks pretty scary. We had nothing even close to that down here.
    Isn't it fun to reconnect with friends from the past. It just makes my heart sing.
    Love your plant photos. Your almond is probably a few weeks sooner than ours. Ours looks like it is ready to burst. Maybe the sunshine today will help it along.
    Sue

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    1. Dicey for sure. We don’t have houses on top of each other here so no houses floating down the River, Thank God! We have a lot of room for the creek and river to swell without impacting neighborhoods!

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  4. Oh Debby! I know you needed rain, but not this flooding! I'm thankful that family is ok, and also that Foodie accepted your help. That flash flooding is scary.
    The rainbow, sunset and your flowers are gorgeous! Yes, all signs of love from our Lord.

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    1. Actually that would be Southern California that needs the rain. Up here Shasta Lake is full already and some dams are releasing water. We are well above where we should be. And our rainy season isn’t done with us yet!

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  5. Wow that is a lot of water. You either have not enough or too much!! :)
    Yes, water is so powerful. Sounds like you go to a big church.

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    1. The church that hosts BSF isn’t my church. Ladies come from all over the area from different churches to attend BSF which is an international parachurch ministry.

      The church I attend on Sundays is about 150 members.

      Delete
  6. That is a lot of rain, and I'm sorry to hear about the flooding in your son's area. Those are some great photos that he took. You know, I think he has his reasons for not wanting to drive, and sometimes they are reasons that we can't comprehend. I don't like cell phones, and still use a land line. I have a cell, I just don't use it. Call me a dinosaur, but I have my reasons too. Oooo, In-N-Out burger, I really miss them, they are the best. That sunset is sooooo pretty. And I love the rainbow. It has been raining here since last weekend, and more to come this week, along with some snow I hear. Your flowers are blooming beautifully because of the rain!

    ~Sheri

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    1. My son wasn’t affected on his street - but the next street over next to the creek.
      Yes, he does have his reasons for not wanting a vehicle but in today’s world it’s hard. When we lived in the Bay Area, we had BART, the train and a bus to get to work. Here - we have a bus system but it’s not reliable.

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    2. So glad Foodie is alright. Yes floodwaters are very strong. I also am mortified when I see folks drive through a railroad crossing when the lights are on and even going around the gates. Some folks really just have no sense. Janice

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    3. I see that at the railroad crossing all the time and it raises the hair on my head!

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  7. Replies
    1. I thought I was the only one who felt like that - creeps me out, too.

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  8. I experienced drives home from work, 3 times, like the one Foodie had. the rain came down for fast and hard our roads home looked just like Foodies superb photos. once the water came up to the radio's in the parking lot with 400 cars in it. I was blessed that day because I was first in the door and the one lane that did not flood the cars was the one I was on.. it took me over and hour to drive 3 miles to get home without drowning.
    to me there is nothing better than God's Art and your photos are perfect examples of His art... that almond tree is amazing. our Powder puff bush has over 250 blooms, maybe 300. I counted them yesterday by 10's... the good news is each of those blooms has 2 to 4 bees deep inside them. the bad news is when I used the hose to water it, they swarmed me but no stings. I stand amazed as I watch them boring down inside the bloom and rolling around in the yellow pollen...

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  9. Isn't it interesting how the weather can be so different anywhere at the same time? Those floods look a bit terrifying and frustrating for people. I hope they are under control soon. We woke up to a thick layer of ice on everything here. We are hoping it will thaw out by afternoon, but who knows.

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    1. Well this is a big country with a varied geographical terrain and each terrain has a different climate. There were some sloshy snow flurries in some areas in town yesterday! 🌨️

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  10. I totally do not understand why people try to cross roads that are COVERED with rushing water. Happens all the time. This is a lot of rain water and I sure pray that peoples homes were not flooded. Your almond tree is full of blooms which means lot of almonds hopefully. Such beautiful blooms on all of the flowers and that Rainbow...wow, Thank you Lord for your promises. Hopefully Debby, y'all will get some good sunshine to dry things up a bit.

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    1. It’s a sunny cold day today but more rain is in the way!

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  11. Literally, a flood of water and info, Debby. So, so glad no lives were lost in this event and you all are beginning to dry out. I loved your cheerful photos of the blooming trees, and Foodie does take some dynamic pictures, indeed. Does he get that talent from you? Blessings!

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    1. One house out in the country town next to us, flooded but that’s all I know of. It stood out to me because they have 4 children and the mom is pregnant and due any day - they lost everything plus all the new baby things from the baby shower recently. So the community is helping them.

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  12. Hi, thank you Debby for the update. I too have independent boys...it sometimes can make me very sad that they will not ask for my help. I offer many a time. I do wonder if I raised them to be so independent, maybe I did?
    I enjoyed all the photos.. the heartbreaking ones of the water ... because it is amazing to see natures POWER. And God's PROMISE and BEAUTY he gives us.
    Carla

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    1. I think that’s how young men should be and while I wish they would ask more, it’s good to see what strong men they have become and that’s healthy. It’s how the west was won! lol

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  13. What a gorgeous sunset! That is very stunning, especially after all the rain you've had and the flooding...the rainbow is such a wonderful gift and reminder of God's promises. Praying for all of you out there in that rather unstable situation. Glad you were able to help your son get to work...and that he relented and allowed you to do so. Men can be so stubborn! I love the pictures of the waves/water that Foodie took, even though I know they represent a very serious and dangerous situation. Praying for the safety of everyone. That story of that family is amazing. So thankful they were rescued. Your flowers are beautiful! Looks like spring has sprung! Enjoy the beauty amidst the difficult days.

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    1. Don’t get me started on stubborn men! More on that later!

      Today we’re enjoying sunshine ☀️ but it is cold. It’s a damp 50 degrees!

      Delete
  14. Wow, wow on that water. She is strong to almost knock your son off the bite. Mama Earth is not messing around for sure.

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  15. Flooding is so horrible and leaves a right mess to clean up once the water is gone, the photos of cars in the water made me think of my sister in-law who lost a close relative who drove into flood water and the car got swept away and they drowned.

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    1. Oh Jo-Anne how horrible. People don’t realize how strong those those flash floods can be; even the ankle bitters can knock you off your feet! Best to just back away and take a safer route. Tragic about your family member!

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