There are a number of flood horror stories that I can’t put in the Farm Side because they remain unsubstantiated. However, some ring true and deserve to see the light of day, so here are a couple or three.
The authorities are alleged to have failed to open the river dams in order to save pleasure boats moored below them at the expense of further damage to land facilities. Whole towns were pretty much wiped out. I am thinking maybe there just wasn’t time to do anything about the locks and dams, but who knows?
Our diesel guy was reportedly refused admittance to our road, even though there was no possibility of flooding anywhere between the intersection where he tried to turn and us. (This one is no rumor, but came right from the driver.) We live about an 8th of a mile from that intersection by the way, and were out of fuel for the generator and field work.
One valley fire department is said to have lost all their fuel to water contamination. The same delivery guy told us that they were called because their trucks are on relatively high ground. They could also apparently be accessed without going through any serious high water spots, at least nothing that would stop a large diesel engine. Local authorities refused access to the trucks anyhow.
A local farmer was allegedly arrested for trying to get into town to pump out a stranded family member. He left court and drove right down and helped her anyhow.
FEMA is offering people who lost entire homes and all of their possessions between $2000 and $2500 to help them rebuild. They gave each person a debit card for that much in Katrina, much of the money being used to buy shameless luxuries. Guess upstate NY isn’t quite as glamorous.
(Bear in mind that these stories are just that, tales that are being told as folks gather to assess the damage and commiserate over their losses.)
At least one rumor that was giving us fits is that Peck’s Lake is closed. My much-anticipated week at that facility begins a week from Saturday. When we heard that the lake was closed I came pretty close to bawling. I know a lost vacation isn’t much stacked up against the devastation that has hit our neighbors. Still the peace and quiet and the loons and rainbow trout mean a lot to me.
Thus I was delighted, thrilled, overjoyed, and just plain real happy to talk to an extremely agitated Alby Peck today. Seems the papers were just fishing for something to write about, and pretty much fabricated the closed lake story. Peck’s is open and eager to regain all the business the false story cost them.
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4 comments:
About the pleasure boats. I would believe that they were saved at the expense neighborhoods. I'd like to believe no one cared one way or the other, but I do not.
They blew up the levees in New Orleans to save pricier real estate.
God bless you and your family. Floods are a terrible experience. We get them often down here in Texas, but it seems like the weather everywhere has gone wacky.
You may want to look at biodiesel. You could be generating energy on your farm. Here is the link to the
NY/NJ forum:
http://forums.biodieselnow.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=17
As you say stories are all over the place when things go crazy. I really don't think any one thought to save boats over towns. This flooding at this time of year is just so unexpected, I bet there is no actual plan as to how to react with flood control when this kind of bibical flood takes place. One story that was true and great was in todays Amsterdam Recorder letters to the editor. Titled "Saving the heifers, saving the day" by Ed & Polly Calhoun, Tim Calhoun, Alan and Linda Hasson of Fonda. Tells the tale getting their heifers off the flats of the mighty Mohawk, almost losing three in the confusion. Vehicles couldn't get through the water so some of their wonderful friends just showed up with rowboats and a canoe and they got in the chest high water and had 27 head of cattle swimming to safety. What a wonderful story and shows how great the local people are in our valley. Wondering if you know any of these poeple. Seems when you work with animals life is never boring.
Hello Cybercelt and thanks for stopping by. I don't really believe that such a thing took place, but it does show how unhappy people are right now.
Hi Karen, good to hear from you. I wouldn't attempt argue in favor of the veracity of the story, just reporting it for what it's worth. I did read the letter from Calhouns, who are lovely people that we have known for years. It was truly wonderful how their neighbors pitched in and amazing that they were able to save all their young stock. I actually thought to write about it, but you did an excellent job of telling the story already. There are many such stories and I think it is the heartening side of disaster, how well so many people responded to help others.
Are you located in the path of the water? Hope not and that you are safe and high and dry.
Whew! Hope you get that vacation at the lake!
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