Flooding update

[jgillott]

I wanted to take a quick second to thank everyone who has reached out to me over the last couple of days offering assistance and well wishes. Sorry that I haven't had the time to answer you individually (we've been extremely busy as you can imagine).

For those of you that haven't seen it on the news, our local area was hit with severe flash flooding Sunday evening. Thankfully, nobody lost their lives. But dozens of homes were completely destroyed and even more heavily damaged. Our homes here were not damaged. But just 3 miles down our road off the mountain is almost complete destruction. Please say a prayer to all those effected by these floods and the hundreds of volunteers working to get things back in order.

 

[jgillott]

This is what was left of my sister's driveway. Minor damage compared to what many suffered.

 

[jgillott]

The pictures don't really do this justice. 21' across at its shortest point 35' at the widest. 8' to 13' deep depending on where you drop the tape.

 

[jgillott]

Here is a link to a few pictures from the area.

http://www.heraldstandard.com/galle...n_88c61482-2281-504c-98e5-34ef85e491ce.html#1

 

[JR]

Wow, and to think we didnt even get a sprinkle on Sunday...glad to hear your property was spared. We got hit last year with a bad flood and ended up with a couple of inches of water in the basement. It wasn't finished so the damage was minor, but it was the first time I had ever seen so much as a drop down there. Our house is in a relatively high spot so others near us suffered much worse. The fire dept pumped out several basements.

Was there a culvert going through where your sisters drive washed out? That must have been one heck of a current running through there!

 

[Killgore]

Sorry to see and hear of this distressing situation. Our prayers go out to you and your neighbors as they begin the recovering process.

- Ed

 

[mfurrh55]

I'm in Louisiana right now working the floods down here, 115,000 people have applied for assistance

 

[Killgore]

Monte, a big thumbs up to you! I worked Katrina and a tornado in Harrisburg, IL several years ago but now I'm too old and broke down to be anything other than in the way. My heart and prayers go out to all you relief workers - stay safe.

- Ed

 

[mfurrh55]

Thank you, it's a real mess down here, it's how I serve the Lord, for as long as he gives me the strength anyhow

 

[Killgore]

It's a special calling to help ones' neighbor when in distress, but especially those in need who are complete strangers. The greatest pleasure I have derived in life is reaching out to others in their time of need. And yes, I believe it is definitely doing the Lord's bidding!

 

[jgillott]

Wow, and to think we didnt even get a sprinkle on Sunday...glad to hear your property was spared. We got hit last year with a bad flood and ended up with a couple of inches of water in the basement. It wasn't finished so the damage was minor, but it was the first time I had ever seen so much as a drop down there. Our house is in a relatively high spot so others near us suffered much worse. The fire dept pumped out several basements.

Was there a culvert going through where your sisters drive washed out? That must have been one heck of a current running through there!

There was a culvert with a 48" pipe through in. Normally, there is just a trickle of water running through there this time of year.

 

[jgillott]

Sorry to see and hear of this distressing situation. Our prayers go out to you and your neighbors as they begin the recovering process.

- Ed

Thank you. It's amazing to see how many people are out here to help.

 

[Wayne M.]

WHOA! I had no clue, and definetly didn't hear anything on my news. What's freaky was that I was in York on Sunday visiting. Not even threatening clouds there.
I always go in prayer mode whenever I hear of these things.
J, I would help if I knew I could- I'm far off, but ya never know.

 

[jgillott]

Thanks Wayne. We are actually in pretty good shape today. We were able to find their water lines last evening and get them back together. The pump house was full of mud and we also got that cleaned out. (A friend of ours was able to bring us in a trash pump that helped tremendously) We also just ordered 10 triaxles of #4 to fill in around the new culvert. It should be delivered in the next day or 2. All thing considered, it's coming together pretty smoothly.

I feel kind of guilty that we have been so focused on getting our family back in to shape that I haven't been able to get out and help others yet. But, I guess that there are only so many hours in the day.

 

[Wayne M.]

Are you getting aid for the fill? That's a lot of cabbage! Be careful. Take breaks.

 

[jgillott]

Hadn't even thought about that part of it yet.

 

[jhenderson]

Thanks Wayne. We are actually in pretty good shape today. We were able to find their water lines last evening and get them back together. The pump house was full of mud and we also got that cleaned out. (A friend of ours was able to bring us in a trash pump that helped tremendously) We also just ordered 10 triaxles of #4 to fill in around the new culvert. It should be delivered in the next day or 2. All thing considered, it's coming together pretty smoothly.

I feel kind of guilty that we have been so focused on getting our family back in to shape that I haven't been able to get out and help others yet. But, I guess that there are only so many hours in the day.

You cant help others till you help yourself. I'm not saying everything needs to be perfect, just that you can only concentrate on one thing at a time.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I know this sounds awful to say, but we here in Ca need the water and washouts your guys towards the east are getting in a serious way.

 

[Wayne M.]

It's my observation that the world is so off balance. Conspiracy theories are not to blame. It's much much bigger.

 

[jgillott]

FEMA and our state agencies are holding registrations for disaster relief services here Friday and Saturday. Since many people lost their cars along with their houses, they are going to shuttle people to and from the registration center on busses if they can walk to the shuttle stop.

I will have lived in the same spot for over 40 years. I never in my wildest imagination thought I would see destruction like this in rural Pennsylvania. I realize that many places around this country see this quite often, but it just is so uncommon here.