Power of precipitation

Mother Nature has not been playing nice in our region.  Just about every other weekend for the past month or so, we've had intense severe downpours.  As we live on the side of a hill, sometimes these inundations can produce catastrophic results. 

While we have personally experienced some disheartening damage to recently cleaned and developed areas involving months of manual labor, it all pales in comparison to the devastation suffered all around our area this past weekend.  Sunday afternoon, we visited one of the worst hit, so you can follow us as we saw it all firsthand.

In one day

We had a lot of solid constant rain all day long, accumulating about 2.5" by the end of the day.  Not so bad.  However, during the evening, we got another 2.5" in one hour.  Our hillside does not like that.  Our house is pretty safe from above, but our lower area always suffers.  One learns to shrug and repair later.  It wasn't until the following morning we learned the significant fate of others.  So far, there are 20 dead, lots of homes and property lost, and lives totally changed.  We can't complain about our personal problems.

While we recorded about 5" total for the day (our gauge is consistently accurate when we hear official quantities), the hardest hit areas ended up with up to 7" in just three hours, some areas being record breaking.  That is equivalent to around 5-6 weeks' worth for this time of year.  (Last year we got five months of November rain in one month.)

The not-so-blue Azure Coast

After church, we took a drive around to see what we could see.  For the most part, the water had receded and the roads had been cleared. 

However, as we drove along the Med, it was not the crystal azure blue it's known for.  The muddy color even made news that night.

Oops!

An underpass we wanted to take was totally submerged, and several roads we attempted were blocked.  In this area, you often can't get there from here anyway, but especially not when the one road is inaccessible!

As we crossed a turnpike overpass, I noticed a significant landslide.  We hear about major rockslides, though more up in the mountains, that can close the route for weeks, but this is the first time I've actually seen anything myself.

The village castle

An understatement

We were headed toward a particular area we'd heard about, but it wasn't looking like there was really all that much to see.  But when we got near the entrance of this village, it was sobering to see a child's toy sitting out in the middle of nowhere.  The actual entry was no longer flooded, but the signage was rather ironic.

The idyllic 17th century bridge

View of the high town from the river

The road into town crossed the river, and we were amazed at the condition of the bridge.  How high must the water have had to get to leave debris this high?

Not so picturesque at the moment

It was rather sad to see this setting the village has created to enjoy the beauty of the river, the bridges, and nature.

Droning around

I've never seen a drone in action; I wish I could see the photos it must be taking, as they are probably really interesting.

The view from either side on the old pedestrian bridge was just amazing.  We've probably driven through here before and just never noticed how pretty it was as so much of the region is beautiful.  It will take years before this particular area can be restored.

Evidence of overflowing the boundaries

Trees and other nature uprooted into the river

A pointless tool

Such a sad loss

As this is apparently a low point in this river and has probably overflowed its banks many times in the past, there is a level meter.  I don't think it served much purpose this time.

However, judging by the size of these trunks, they've been able to withstand the forces of nature for quite a few years.

Odd place for a bridge

Base of missing bridge

As we walked down a road, we came across this bridge.  We really didn't think this is where it was supposed to be.

Later, the Doc spotted where it had originally been located further up the river.

Let's play ball

Looking down a side road that leads directly to the river, we were amazed by all the mud instead of asphalt.  It was fun to watch this tiny dog try to reclaim this ball almost bigger than he is.

No pizza tonight

It was rather poignant to see various items scattered here and there, such as this restaurant sign.  We also saw patio chairs, coolers, toys, indications of the losses many individuals were facing.

House still for sale?

Already much higher than the riverbed

I don't think this advertised house for sale is now going to be very interesting to any potential buyers.

The Doc was interested to note how perfectly level these mailboxes had been installed. While the high water mark is amazing here, it was multiple times higher in nearby areas.

Holding in there

Lighting the curb

I was intrigued by all the debris still hanging onto this gate, while the Doc was intrigued by the useless protection it now offered.

I didn't even realize that the rest of the enclosure was included in my photo of this streetlight I found interesting.

Find the golf ball in the rock pit

We came across the back corner of a golf course, normally not accessible to the public.  The Doc noted the new rock pit not normally included in golf courses.

As we were there in the middle of the afternoon, everybody was in the middle of clean-up activity.  It looked exactly like I've seen on TV in other flood disasters.  But seeing it in person was more poignant.  All these people having to expose all their personal possessions to the public.

We also noticed a lot of people walking around with shovels and other tools, some of them looking brand new.  Most stores are not open on Sundays; we wondered if the local DIY had opened up exceptionally, but we never found out. 

Ten helping hands

When I noticed this family, not already covered in mud like so many others, carrying tools and a big sack of bottled water, I got up the nerve to ask them if they were local or were volunteering.  They had just arrived to offer their support and aid to friends.

They graciously allowed me to take their picture so I could share with you the solidary of people all over the world helping others when needed.  I'm sure that's not how they had expected to spend their family Sunday afternoon.

An odd playground

Although we did not see some of the more spectacular car pile-ups photographed elsewhere, and some of them were where we were but already moved, there were still a number still in place.  It is really incredible to see such views in real life. 

As these were some of the more interesting aspects for Doc Leo, I'm including a few of the more spectacular, including a wayward slide aimed into the intersection.

Convertible available cheap

The Doc decided that modern cars have become so watertight that they just float when water levels rise, which is how they end up on top of everything. 

But this convertible would not have been so airtight and thus probably became completely submerged. 

I don't know why it would have been parked on the road next to the river, but it doesn't look like it's been moved.

Unwanted nature making itself at home

Once upon a time, these home owners probably appreciated the lovely view of the high town from their location next to the idyllic river. 

How did all that debris end up on the other side of the fence?  Did it all come over the top when the river flooded and then get trapped when the water subsided? 

I didn't see anybody around.  I don't know if they just left for the moment or will get a big surprise when they get back.

Re-landscaped country road

Three people died in the nursing home in this town, as the personnel in charge were cut off from getting help and couldn't move the elderly to safety.  Otherwise, the townspeople are fairly resilient, thankful their families are safe. 

I'm sure they would rather have their problems than a number of families in Oregon at the moment.  And one day, sooner than later, the roads will regain the beauty they've currently been deprived of.

If you would like to see a different collection of photos taken elsewhere in the area, some of them more timely, you might enjoy these two sites.  And don't forget you can click on any of my photos to see a larger version.