Wednesday, June 28, 2006

The Floods Have Come




Multiple Barns, 2006, Oil on Paper, 16x20






Yesterday I mentioned that "barring some big catastrophe" I would be able to get everything done. Despite the fact that we have literally had 4 solid days and nights of rain, often torrential rain, I didn't consider the possibility of flooding, so now, of course, we have flooding. Clearly, I have control over the weather and I slipped up this time:-) Anyway, this morning I received several calls this morning canceling the kid's activities and by the third one I finally asked the person what was going on. She told me a state of emergency has been declared in our county and in several surrounding counties. Our town has had severe flooding, roads are washed out, including a low spot in our road, and people are being evacuated to temporary shelters. I was going to go into town to help out, but the radio says to stay put unless it's an emergency, so I guess I'll stay home for now. Out here on the farm, we have a lot more open area for run off but still, the ground is saturated and we actually have water pouring into our basement through the stone foundation. Luckily, there is a drainage system and there isn't too much standing water. We do have to get down there today though and clean up the junk that is on the floor so that the water doesn't get caught and start to pool. Thankfully, we just had our roof replaced, the old one definitely would not have held up under all of this rain. Our porch is a different matter however. We are planning to have it rebuilt in October, but the roof of it is in terrible shape and the ceiling is sagging terribly right now. I won't be shocked if the whole thing tumbles down in the next few days if it continues to rain. (The forecast is calling for rain until Friday.) Still, though, we are lucky. Many of our friends and neighbors have really bad old house basements and/or nearby streams and drainage issues. So far everyone I've talked to has water in their basements.

The kids are home today but I plan on trying to get at least a little bit of work done. Hopefully the weather will clear, despite the forecast, and things won't get worse.

10 comments:

Karen Jacobs said...

Arg! I know what you're going through... flooded during our stay in New Orleans, though that was pre-Katrina. No fun watching the water rise and no control. Take care... KJ

Tracy Helgeson said...

Thanks Karen. I was thinking of New Orleans and the gulf coast when I wrote this post and am certainly glad that it is not remotely near that level of flooding. Our locals seem to be handling things fairly well so far, maybe because FEMA or Bush aren't around.

How close are you to New Orleans? Did you have flooding during Katrina?

Stacey Peterson said...

Eek!! I lived in Houston for a while and I know first hand that flooding is no fun... Hope things don't get much worse - sounds like you're keeping reasonably dry for now!

Ed Maskevich said...

Stay safe and be cautious.

John Morris said...

Good luck. I love the images you have of your work. Protect the kids but also that great stuff.

Tracy Helgeson said...

Thanks, all, for your concern. The rain has stopped in our immediate area, and it's even sunny right now. So no immediate issues with our house, but I am not sure about what is going on in our town and the others nearby.

Tracy Helgeson said...

Thanks, John, and I think I am about to gush here-I checked out your website, your work and your resume, and am totally honored that you have visited my blog let alone complimented my work! Your work is wonderful!

Now I will grovel:-) hope you keep reading and commenting on the blog! I am liking the Digging Pitt blog as well.

Jeffrey Hayes said...

Ugh... After what we went through last month, I feel your pain... I really do. Global warming? Nahhhhh....

Olga Norris said...

I think that today's painting is just right for a story about isolation in unnatural rain. If I still wore my art commissioning hat of many years ago I would love to use your paintings as covers for 'dreamtime mystery' novels or collections of short stories. I love your work, and its (for me) other-worldly / parallel universe feel - kind of science fiction Edward Hopper buildings.

Tracy Helgeson said...

Thanks, Jeff, glad this storm pattern is missing you this time. Alas, there will be another I suppose.

Omega, Thanks for the lovely words describing my paintings. I may have to incorporate those in a statement or something! Love the Edward Hopper reference. He has always been one of my favorites.