I am not sure how many of you are aware of he devestating effect that Hurricane Ivan had over the weekend to the interior of the nation, but here are some pictures to give you an idea. My hometown of Bethany, WV, received 9.5 inches of rain in ONE DAY, and we experienced the worst flooding in the memory of our oldest citizens. This was a once a century flood:
These previous three pictures are of the town park. It is hard to tell, but, but the source of the water is from a small creek that snakes through the valley from left to right. The creek, at normal size, is about 1-2 feet deep, and 10-15 feet wide, and if you look closely, it follows the countour of the tree line in the far left all the way around the valley, and in normal times, the park is a grassy area bowl shaped area about 1000 meters by 100 meters with the creek on three sides. The town building (the olf Fire Department), is displayed prominently in the first picture on the right, and this is the fourth side of thepark, which is a gentle incline into a hill.
At any rate, as you can see, the water is about 6 feet tall by the Fire Department, which means the creek had to raise at least 20 feet.
Here is a view of the parking lot to the old Fire Department (shown in picture 1) after the waters have receded. Behind the viewer in this picture would be the hill to the town, to the left is be the creek (about 300 yards to the left) in normal times.
Here is a picture showing the ‘upper’ shelter during and after the flood. As you look at the two pictures, two things should stand out- how high the water was to submerge the shelter, and in the second picture, you should be able to detect the sloping nature of the park as it heads towards where the creek normally resides.
If you want more, I’ve got plenty, but this should give you an idea how bad the flooding was because of the Hurricane after effects. BTW- these photos were taken by the town Mayor with a Pentax Optio.
*** Update ***
Here are some more pictures posted by a Bethany student, (via Rob Bernard who has two brothers attending Bethany College).
Rob Bernard
My brothers go to Bethany college. A student has some of her own pics up here: http://www.bethanywv.edu/~pbruno/flood.html
James
We had similar, disastrous flooding in downtown Richmond, VA a few weeks ago with Tropical Storm Gaston. Semi-trucks swept down the street, cars and SUV’s tumbling around like boulders, 20+ feet of water, roads and property destroyed everywhere — just amazing and terribly bad.
Here’s hoping you and yours are ok, and that the affected people somehow rebuild their lives as best they can.
James
John Cole
Small World, Rob. If they have Dr. Cole for English, that is my mother.
Andy
Back before college, when I lived at home with my parents, I used to ride my bike to there from over in PA. Well, and then I’d ride on to the College Inn Beer&Grocery to grab snacks…
Stupid flood.
Seth
I thought those pictures were by the Ills.
Rob
God’s wrath on Florida could be because they elected W who’s obviating the end times.
Like Ma used to say, God’s punishing you, for electing W.
Could be , maybe not?
Bill Hicks
My wife and I took these pictures. I would appreciate it if you gave us credit, Bill and Jill Hicks, aka the Ills.