Rain, storms and tornadoes will not seem to stop in the Midwest. And I know it must be awful if I'm hearing about it in Japan.
Every day I listen to NPR on my AFN radio for the latest American news. Usually the stories recap the business stories or political news of the USA. But lately, more and more I'm hearing the voices of my homeland describing a flood that may be worse than the floods of 1993. The flooding in Gays Mills, Wisconsin, was front page news on the Stars and Stripes of Wednesday.
Today I woke up to this news story out of Des Moines:
Tornado slams Iowa Boy Scout Camp
I talked to my sister, Colleen the other day and she said the rain never stops. When she landed in Cedar Rapids a few weeks ago, she thought there was a new lake in Iowa due to the heavy rains. My mom forwarded me an e-mail two days ago about my aunt's campgrounds in Elkader that had to be evacuated and the water is up to the church. I can't remember it ever flooding the Catholic Church before. My other aunt wrote "It is unreal how bad it is."
I found this video on YouTube this morning showing the river in Elkader:
As I hear the comparison to the great flood of 1993, I can only shake my head. Even though I was a child at the time, that year is stuck in my head as a "bad time" for Iowa. I remember vividly the photos on the front of the Sunday Des Moines Register illustrating Ames, including Iowa State's Hilton Coliseum, submerged in 14 feet of water.
It is moments like this when I wish I could magically fly back and be there with my extended family. I hope the annual Willes Fathers Day picnic at Pikes Peak in McGregor doesn't get rained out on Sunday. I wish I could help. I want to fill sandbags. I want to report the stories of the people living in Gays Mills or Cedar Falls. Instead all I can do it pray.
It is moments like this one that makes me homesick.
4 comments:
You can take the girl out of Iowa, but you can't take the Iowa out of the girl. It's about neighbors helping neighbors, and it frustrates both of us that we can't be there to help. Hearing about the flooding on the radio has been surreal, and I got on the computer because I couldn't find anything about the storms in Iowa on TV. Then I found the blog Michelle wrote earlier today. I wish there was anything we could do to help. We'll continue to pray... and maybe there'll be something left that we can help with when we get back next month.
If you remember the floods of 93 as vividly as I do (and I know you do), you want to stay far away!! But I also know what you're feeling because I, too, wish I was at home, trying to save Cedar Falls' downtown or Des Moines. Dad said they're getting ready to close 35/80 in DSM. YIKES! Everyone will be trapped. Just keep praying!
Benny's comment is RIGHT ON
I'll be praying for your friends and family out there.
My dad is in the freaking evacuation area for DSM but they won't leave......grrrrr
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