Down Came the Rain

Well, I'm so glad to have had that beautiful day of my previous post because the next day was very different! We had rain all day and overnight and awoke to a flooded basement due to sump pump failure (they should be equipped with alarms, right?). It was at least two inches deep, everywhere-including the carpeted section. The first thing I did, in nightgown and rubber boots, was to rescue the kitty litter box so Sam and Bridget could finally relieve themselves dryly. What followed next was a flurry of activity between George and me, such as purchasing and installing a new pump, moving stuff and sucking up water through the shop-vac; two forgettable days of slogging which left me exhausted and cranky. But all is fine now. 

However inconvenient that was it was nothing compared to the recent inundation in Bella Coola where my youngest son and his family live. Their flood was devastating to say the least. They had over 400 mm of rain, that's about 8 inches, in a very short period. The only road in and out, the famous Freedom Highway, is still closed due to washouts. Bridges were moved or cut off and many houses had to be abandoned including the one where Kim and Andrew lived. It's hard to imagine four feet of water in your living room but that's what they had! They have since relocated to a dry house but much work is still to be done.

The following picture is of Grant Road, where their home was. In fact when I visited there last summer I stayed at the far end of that road in the tall barn (see earlier post) and had decided to paint a watercolour series of the homes along the road. 

 

"Grant Road Rescue"

It's hard to believe that I walked up that road many times last summer.

Just a reminder of 'my Bella Coola barn'.

And here's the painting, the first in this series, with more to come very soon. I promise!