Floods in WV? We're in the mountains! You won't believe how a flash flood, used to cut off transportation, too many mountains ... to little escape routes. In 1994 , we had a low water bridge access to our home. When the rain comes too hard and fast, the rivers swell. Low water bridges not only catch all the debris, but can not contain the flow. I was coming home from work in Moorefield. The closer I got to home the more the river beside me swelled ... the more debris were in the road, the more low laying culverts were covered with water. I made it within a half a mile from my house and feared driving any further, in my low vehicle. I pulled off the road and walked to the bridge to join neighbors from both sides of the river for an update. My upstream neighbors where there to attempt to rescue a pair of draft horses , in full harness, that had loss their footing while tiring to pull a vehicle across the stream. They had heard the scanner report. Missing them on the first bend in the river, they had raced in their vehicles to the next access, which was the low water bridge I cross for home.

They had barely filled me in, when someone shouted,"Here they come". We ran into the water without thought or consequence, until the current became to much and we stopped one by one and watched as the tallest leader shook his head and returned for the shore line. We retreated with him as we watched two magnificent animals float across the bridge. My emotions heighten to an unbelievable rate between sorrow and fear, but I remember to ask one of the locals," Is there any way to cross this river?" He shared the story of his grandfather's foot bridge he had build years ago behind the barn a few miles down stream. After numerous yelling across the roaring river to my waiting mate. Heads began bobbing in affirmative motions. Off we went in a caravan of vehicles to the old barn. Night was falling fast , I could barely recognize familiar vehicles on the other side. My partner had already crossed and was waiting to lead me over. Boards were missing from the rotten planks. The cables were rusty and fraided. I was in an absolute panic mood. One of the gentlemen in the caravan said they had cots set up in the community center, I would be safe. I shuttered at the thought of sleeping with stranger, I was new to the area and hadn't time to get to know the people in the area. My partner graped my hand and across the bridge I was drug. A board cracked and my leaders foot went though hanging to the cables he righted his footing. Another man ran to our rescue and I was straighted between two strong men. Strong and heavy, I begged them to get away fearing their weight would collapse the bridge. Before I could put up much of a fight, we were sliding down the cable on the other side of the raging river. I dropped to my knees in the pouring rain to collect myself. My legs were trembling so bad I literally could no longer support my weight.

The men laughed at me, it was just a West Virginia adventure to them. It was truly the fright of my life. The water subsided as rapidly as it had rose. By morning the sun was shining and the birds were singing. I graped my camera and drove to the bridge. The water was down enough to cross. When I picked up my car, I walked behind the barn to check the bridge. It's a good thing it was dark when I crossed. I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I viewed the frightening journey I had taking the even before. The picture with a the old Polaroid, I had at the time. I could only shake my head and give thanks that we all were consumed by the raging water gods. The horses were found about three miles down stream on another low water bridge. Someone had already stolen the double team harness that had bound them to death. What a shame, like the poor owners hadn't already suffered enough loss.