Stormy Midwest

[eyeamdry]

I'm here after being caught in the storms that have been wheeling through the midwest and heading eastward!  I can't believe the destruction.  I just saw (on tv) where some houses in Wisconsin fell into a river because of flooding of the nearby river.  I feel really bad for those people.

We were without power for a little more than 24 hours, which came back on at 9 pm tonight.  We went away yesterday and it was a hot, muggy, partly cloudy day.  We went to a casino just an hour from us.  It rained while we were there, but no one said anything ususual happened.  As we drove home, everything looked as it had on the way down.  We got off the expressway a few miles from home and my husband noticed "something has gone through here, look at the trees down." 
I asked if he was sure they weren't down when we went past earlier in the day.

We got home and the neighbor fellows were standing about talking, since there was nothing else to do.  One said, "you're out of power."  Oh, boy.  We have a generator, as do most of our neighbors, and once these were fired up, the neighborhood was pretty dark!  It was awfully hot and muggy and we were awake most of the night.  The sound of the compressor outside the window didn't help.  For us, 24 hours isn't bad as they were talking about 3 more days without power.  Some have been without power 4 days already because of earlier storms. 

I hope everyone is ok out there.  It's also handy to think about being without power from time to time, checking your emergency supplies.  Do you have flashlights handy?  Nothing like a day or two without power (and water) to make you check on your emergency plan.  Lucy

[Pooh]

Hi Lucy,
I hope you have your generator far enough away from that open window that you don't get any fumes in the house.  We have lost several people in the past couple years from this in our area. 

Losing power is one thing, losing a life is the last thing I want to hear about.  Please be careful.  It's for sure, we don't want to lose you.

Hugs, Pooh

[eyeamdry]

Thanks, Pooh......our generator is at the end of our house on a corner.  Our window is around the corner and believe me, the noise is sooooooo bad.......no one would keep the windows near the generator open!  I appreciate your concern and the last reason I want to die is because of a loud machine.  :-)....Lucy

[irish]

Lucy, I called my friend in Michigan about 1 hour or so from you and she was telling me about the weather there. Consumers Power was out there also. Lots of rain and the Thornapple River is flooding big time again.

The state of Indiana is just awful. I can't believe all the water they got. The rivers are just overflowing from all the rain. Southeastern MN has gotten it again too. It is closer to the Mississippi and lots of hills, creeks, streams etc so the flooding comes easily in that area. I saw the pictures of the houses falling into the Wisconsin river. Looked like doll houses just breaking in half.

If there is anything that should make us appreciate just the bare essentials it is watching the bad weather all over the world. Stay save everyone. Irish

[eyeamdry]

Here we are again.........wicked storms going through Michigan.   Our area has only had downed trees and loss of power for the most part.  People near Holland (MI) and the lake communities are reeling from floods.  Many houses have been flooded and things are a mess and we just continue to get more rain and wind.  The storms in Iowa are the ones we are getting second hand.  My heart goes out to anyone being in distress because of the wild weather.  Lucy

[genko_b]

Take care, everyone. Here in Seattle it has been cold and gloomy but nowhere near so dangerous with the storms. We get the flooding in the fall, when the rains start up again for us.

Genko

[irish]

Tonight on the news they said (hope I have this right) that 83 of the 109 counties in Iowa have been declared a disaster area. All these states that have had all this water and flooding are states that farm and produce corn and soybeans. I can't imagine having any crops grow with all this water. Also wonder how the cattle and hogs are surviving in this mess. The cows can run free but the hogs are in those hog setup and are vitual prisoners if the water would rise rapidly.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa is a beautiful town with lots of hills and valleys and the whole town has been under water according to the TV. I am assuming they mean the downtown area as they show pictures on TV plus lots of housing too. Then it went to Des Moines and that is really getting it. There will be no money left to replace all these buildings. Maybe this is Mother Nature reminding us that all these big expensive buildings do not a home or happiness make!!!! Sort of puts everyone back on the same level and makes people depend on each other like they did in the old days.

I would not wish this on my worst enemy and I always say a tornado is easier to clean up after than a flood. Can you imagine all the chemicals and chlorox bleach that will be running off into the ground water etc with all the clean up in these states? The balmy breezes of the Midwest will smell like Hi-lex when the rains stops. Irish

[LenV]

We've got the storms this morning.  It is 10:28 a.m. and black as pitch out there right now.  Cami drug her blanket over to me and piled it up right at my feet.  Storms are not for my gal.  I had planned to go buy Father's Day presents this morning.  I'm sitting here in my sleepshirt and full makeup.  Looks like that's as far as I'll get.  At least I bought my cards and got my Dad's mailed.  I feel so sorry for the Iowa area.  My husband and his family are from that area.  I've visited it many times and it really hurts my heart to see this damage.  My family is all safe tho.

Well, gotta check the radar again.
Billye

[Pooh]

I just heard on the TV that the levee in Illinois has given way.  I can't imagine the devastation out there.  My heart and prayers go out to each and everyone affected by these disasters. 

Hugs and God Bless to all,

Pooh

[eyeamdry]

We had a decent rain last night, with no lightning or winds.  We don't need the rain now, though.  Crops are under water as it is.   Much corn has been ruined.  We (personally) don't have to worry about flooding, but we live about 30 miles from Lake Michigan and those areas have been hit bad.  It's the same storms that have gone through Iowa, Minnesota etc.  It's hard to see, especially since we had such a long, cold, snowy winter.  It's sunny here right now with a light breeze and quite comfortable.  Clouds go away.  People need a chance to dry up and clean up.  There is plenty of wood around for the taking as many trees have been down.  Here, here for nice weather.  Lucy

[Katybarstool]

What a nightmare for all those people affected by the floods. We have had floods in England over recent years, and they caused such mnisery. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Kathyx

[salsen]

After having two major hurricanes hit my state in 2005 that caused massive destruction (the bottom third of our state ruined), I totally feel for the people going through the storms now.  We are still struggling to get areas cleaned up and people back into their homes.  Iowa needs lots of help as will other states.  Please give what you can if you see fund drives to help those in need.  I know the people here in Louisiana will be endlessly grateful for all the help and support.  Recovery takes time, money and many helping hands!  Good support from others goes a long way to help the mental recovery of those who have lost so much.

[Skylar]

These storms and their aftermath are shocking, devastating and sad. I hope everyone here affected is safe.

Skylar