When I stated in my previous post that the rains had returned, I wasn't kidding. Warmer weather and rain resulted in flooding. Lots of flooding.
In the eight years of living in this town, I've never seen Independence Highway overrun with water. The small creek spilled its banks, flooded the entire field and finally filled up to the road.
The first time I drove through was in the evening. I didn't know the road was covered and recieved quite a frightening jolt as my car plowed through the water. (then I heard the story of a family across town whose car was swept by flooding waters. The mother and two chidren drowned before they could safe them from the car. Two local college kids risked their lives trying to get them out.)
I parked my car briefly to take pictures from across the field turned lake. This field is usually a little mushy in the winter. I've never seen it completely filled to the brim.
The Willamette River is running high, but I've seen its' levels higher. The flooding comes from all the local creeks and streams.
But what really caught my eye and excited my children was the whirlpool. The flow of water headed South to a culvert that runs under the road. I told my kids it was like a giant bathtub....drain and all.
SOOOO scary! And sad about the family. We watched it in horror on the local news. You guys stay dry!
Posted by: Amanda | January 20, 2012 at 02:10 PM
Looks like enough water for a while.. Stay safe:)
Posted by: Far Side of Fifty | January 20, 2012 at 02:42 PM
Sounds like you need a few more bathtub drains. Yikes! Tonight we've had torrential rain and it's nicely melting the snow. The best part is we're finally back above freezing temperatures.
Posted by: mark | January 21, 2012 at 12:05 AM
Wow. Stay away from those drains. A friend of my dad's got sucked down one of them, once.
True story.
Posted by: wagthedad | January 23, 2012 at 02:34 PM