The Tears Are Yet To Come

Looks as if all of the Angels in heaven have been letting their tears flow freely today. Rain has been falling and things are getting very squishy around these parts. Rain and lots of it has some areas experiencing severe flooding.

The local evening news started at five and lasted until past seven as the local weathermen followed the track of the nastiest of the storm cells that produced not only the rain but hail and tornadoes. Fortunately so far we haven't had any major destruction!

Our past winter was a record setter in the amount of snow accumulation we received. It brought back memories of what winters used to be. Our spring was equally generous with just enough precipitation to facilitate farmers to get their crops planted and get a good start towards harvest.

Well all that changed this week as the rains came. In the first wave (literally) the farmers experience only about a quarter of their crops lost to the heavy rains. Had we had several dry days in a row things probably would have allowed some of those crops to recover. But, the sky began to weep again and again.

After todays rains, the devastation will continue to take its toll, not only on the crops but on those who experienced the effects of high water and flooding. In short course we'll feel the floods yet again even if it doesn't rain another drop for a month or two. Food prices are surely going to skyrocket and remain in orbit until next years crops can be harvested.

For those with wet basements and water damage to personal property, hopefully you have insurance to cover your loss. Even those on "high" ground that didn't have proper gutters, downspouts and landscaping to carry water away fast enough also have felt ill effects of the weather.

Then there are those who, for some reason decided to attempt to drive through roads covered with water. Water does have a tendency to hide its depth...it could be a half inch or half a foot. Yet many don't heed the warnings and drive right on into the unknown. Some make it, others find themselves floating on an uncontrollable course and end up stranded.

They may have learned that the old sayings do mean something worth listening to..."When in doubt, wait it out." Which to me makes good sense. Time to find the life jackets and put them in the car, so the next time I have someone that passes me and drives into the big puddle, I can toss them one. Then watch the comedy act of them trying to put it on.

Then there are those who've done nothing wrong. Their homes and cars damaged by flood waters, helpless watching everything turned to ruin. Evacuation becomes a topic of discussion. Some have nearby families, others don't. Some will find dry shelter in a school with fellow citizen displaces as they were.

In time the waters will recede, then the process of cleaning up begins. With luck, life as it once was can be restored back to normal. In time, the event will be but a memory to serve as a lesson and reminder of what to do and what not to do. Hopefully never to repeat again, but should it happen, better prepared.

Hopefully sunny and drier days are only a few long hours away.