The Great Flood

For those of you who don't know, a small tornado went through my hometown last Friday. It was tiny compared to what went through Moore and El Reno this past month, but a tornado none the less. It took out trees, power poles, a few buildings, shut down roads, flooded many others, and took out the electricity to most of the town.

My mother, being my mother, stood at the door and watched it as it passed her house. My father, being my father, drove through it in order to get home to my mother. Is it any wonder I have the tenacious personality I have?

This was the worst of the damage to their property by the tornado. This was a 40-50 foot cottonwood that was absolutely beautiful in the summer when the wind would rattle the leaves and the sun danced on it.

There were other trees that lost large limbs and their privacy fence came down, except a couple of panels. All very manageable. Most of their neighbors had trees and fences come down too. Those neighbors spent the weekend clearing and cutting. We spent the weekend climbing stairs.

Why? My parents are among the few Oklahomans that have a basement. I've heard a lot of noise since May 20th about how stupid all Oklahomans are for not having basements since. Now, as to "shame on people for not having a storm shelter," sure if you want to say that, fine, storm shelter, saferoom, a truly safe place for 99% of weather that tears through here. I think every home in Oklahoma should have one. Though I understand why many people don't see the risk high enough to warrant purchasing one. Many people go their entire lives here without having a tornado directly effect them so most people play an odds game and pray they never lose. Honestly, for 3-5K I'd say it's worth it, but to each their own.

For those of you who talk basements, sure, it is about cost, but foremost it's about natural science. This site has a good explanation. Click the picture to go to an Indiana based waterproofing company's explanation about water tables.

The short of it is, when the ground gets so soaked the basement cannot keep the water out. Then when the electricity goes out and the sump pump fails the water pours in. This is what happened at my parents' this weekend. All the furniture, toys, paperwork, family heirlooms, computers, everything on the floor or on something on the floor was soaked. It had standing water about 8 inches high. That was with my parents bailing water by the bucket for 3 hours in the dark Friday night and the electricity kicking back on by 10 o'clock the next morning. So not even 12 hours of water table seepage.

We spent a lot of time bringing things up to dry out on the sopping lawn. Lots of things were thrown away. Boxes of old toys, that had been my sisters', sitting under the table. We tried to salvage them.

This might be a nightmare of mine.... Revenge of the Cabbage Patch Dolls!

Boxes upon boxes of my deceased Grandparent's belongings that were stuffed in a closet with the intention of sorting through one day.


We found a box full of old black and white photos. Mostly of family members we don't have a clue who they are. We even found discharge papers dating to the civil war. Once they are all dried and pressed flat again I will post some of them. I am mystified by the clothing. There was even a picture of a little girl whose outfit matched Pollyanna's.

So, you never know, sometimes in aggravating circumstances there is a beautiful silver lining. Instead of laying around forgotten these photos get to see the light of day again. On a side note though, my calves hurt! Too many stairs!