"I hope you have flood insurance" & "Flooding worse than Rita"
The first is a quote from Bayou Fabio, who called at 12:30 a.m. to tell me that there was two feet of water over the highway, and the wind was still pushing the water in. You must understand that the highway is already “higher” than ground level where our homes are built.
The second is a quote from Captain Hebert of the Bayou Dularge Fire Department at 9:00 a.m. today.
Desperate for news as to the extent of the high water, I called them and finally got through after several attempts. He said the flooding is worse than Rita, and that they weren’t even at the “down the bayou” fire station (which is only a stone’s throw from the cypress cottage). They were at the station 16 miles “up the bayou” and the water only needed to rise 4 more inches before it entered the fire house.
And he confirmed that the water is coming from the Houma Navigation Canal and still rising.
The rest of the bad news is that south winds will continue to push the water in until the normal tide starts to fall this afternoon and the hurricane winds abate. That can’t happen soon enough for me.
I asked him when we could come down, and he said not today for sure.
And the last quote comes for HTV 10 live stream at 9:30 a.m., “The bayou people are resilient”.
And to that I respond, “Yes, but we are very, very tired.”
And now we must turn our attention to the victims over on the Southwest Louisiana coast and Texas coast. I am sorry for those who did not or could not leave. That storm was reminiscent of the one written about in a book called Isaac’s Storm, which almost gave me nightmares when I read it.
I have a big job ahead of me. Two flooded homes. One of which was ready to rent–complete with new furniture. I am pretty much numb right now. I’m going to take a shower and then hopefully find some news saying that no one died senselessly because of this storm.
Thank you for hanging in here with me/us. This blog has been my lifeline, and once I leave LilSis’s, there will be no internet for a while. If you have something to say, please say it to me today, because I’m leaving here quick as I can to go tend to my homes.
For the almost non-existent wetlands,
BW
((((BW)))) I know I sound simplistic but please keep the faith that you will have the strength to do what you need to do. I truely hurt for you and those who are going thru this devastation. You are in my heart.
J – I will take your words and feed my soul with them . . .
I am so glad you stayed with lilsis this long…I was so worried that you may get caught in the mix of these numerous storms and become stranded. As I hunker down waiting out the high wind gusts from Ike approaching my own home, I still keep you and all the bayou families in my heart. Just know my dear BW, you will get through this. My heart is also hurting for you and yours, but I know you are all safe. I hope the same for all your neighbors. My heart hurts for all the hard work ahead of you, but I also know just how strong and resilient you are. God will be with you as you travel back home, and He will remain with you as each limb is lifted, each bucket of bleach is passed, and each piece of your life is rebuilt. Know you and yours are being lifted up in our prayers and still tightly held in our hearts.
Deb
I am so glad you did not go back. I hate it that you have wet homes to have to go and clean. I know that is a daunting task. As said before, keep the faith and no you are in many a person’s prayers as you head back. Remain safe!
Prayers for miracles and strength are being said for you and all those affected by this storm. Remember to turn to your faith when you are feeling too low to continue. His strength is there for you, just like a prescription medicine with the directions of “take as needed”.
Sending you lots of central TX love and hugs,
Kristin
BW, My prayers for you will continue and I will hold you in my heart as you embark on your tasks.
Take care of yourself and hug those near and dear to you.
Mstoddard
Between Gustav and Ike, when it came to evacuating y’all were in the position of “Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t”. Hope you’re able to return home soon AND y’all will find minimal damages which occurred with yesterday’s surge.
5 storms in 38 months for y’all. My heart is breaking for you, your family and neighbors. Please be safe. I just don’t know what to say……….
Having lived here all my 58 years I know quite a few down the bayou people. Not from any one bayou but from all of them. My heart bleeds that you all are going through this again so soon. I was so elated after Gustave that in spite of all the downed trees and power lines, as a whole, both Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes damages were not as great as in some past hurricanes. And now this devil named Ike intrudes and dumps havoc on the lives of so many.
You will find your courage in the people around you. They have faith in you and in themselves to do what must be done. Though it seems near insurmountable now, you will do what you have to do because you love where you live. It’s so evident in your post and photos.
With my heart in my throat I offer you only my best thoughts and ascending prayers.
Cynthia Daigle
Bayou Blue
I am a journalist covering the Terrebonne and St. Mary areas, and I am so sad to say the first life claimed in Louisiana by Hurricane Ike was a 16-year-old boy in Bayou DuLarge. I do not know his name yet. My Prayers are with you.
I wish I could make it all better. I just don’t know how.
If you have needs, be sure to post them, and we will help you as best we can.
hugs
Im back home, ran to the hospital where I work for shelter, the winds were pretty harsh around here, trees breaking, limbs flying, we booked for safety. The home Im renting is dry and with minimal damage (some actually done by my very freaked out golden retriever, most by the wind). My next door neighbor has much greater damage. Fortunately, our power is back on already, but I hear there is major power outage all around where BW is staying, so lets hope her luck starts improving. Enough is enough. There needs to be blue skys, dry ground and gentle soft breezes now. There needs to be working lights and cooperative plumbing. Good fishing, good food and good friends happy to see one another. We pray for your spirit to be renewed, your faith to remain steadfast, and your tasks be minor and swift.
Debbi in East TX
BW, I know you are tired. I know you are discouraged. I know you have a long road ahead with cleaning up and restoration. But! I know YOU, too. You will get through this, and you will find the beauty in it all. That’s who you are, and that’s just how you tick!
Please know I love you very much, and I will be praying for you and your family and friends. And take a few minutes and remember a funny thingy to keep you laughing…such as do you remember the conehead party we had at the church during one of our furloughs??? Yall wore bleach bottles on your heads, and you carried a baby conehead (an eggplant!)…???
Laughter is such a healing gift, and will help you navigate this venture…
Love you! 🙂
Well the water is here. Whole chicago area. 8 inches so far maybe 2-4 additional. Your flooding photos will be our flooding photos. We are as flat as southeast La. Scheduled for wind at 35 soon hope that blows it east. Next day or two will be interesting.
LOVIN YOU SO MUCH!!! Praying for you, hoping that things are not as bad as you expect them to be. If I was able, without milk dud that is, I would drop my boys off at my moms and head down there to help you BW!! I mean that from the bottom of my heart!! Keep your chin up my friend, you are not forgot and niether is your wetland!!
If your people are all okay that’s the most important thing. Stuff can be replaced–it’s a hard path and lots of hard work, but I am glad for you that at least so far everyone you love is safe.
Continuing to offer prayers.
Godspeed, BW.
Love and good thoughts coming from Virginia!
This is my first time to sit at the internet since we left North Louisiana and the home of LilSis to go down South to the home of BigSis. That is where I am at this moment. We are all fine.
I do have photos to show you and posts to make later. Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, and words of encouragement.
To be continued . . . . .
BW
Never text while driving…. CwitdeR gave me a bit of start in traffic. inches ain’t feet. Good luck and get fishing soon.
I keep checking back to see how things are going, BW. Holding you in my prayers still.