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What Do Hurricane Ike And The Little Calumet River Have In Commen? Vol.1

Updated on December 13, 2008

Relentless Rain Might Be Cause For Concern

The Little Calumet River was climbing up the levy in Munster Indiana on Fri. Sept. 12th this photo was taken as we walked over to take a look.
The Little Calumet River was climbing up the levy in Munster Indiana on Fri. Sept. 12th this photo was taken as we walked over to take a look.
Garbage and debris fill the rising water.
Garbage and debris fill the rising water.

Hurricane Ike So Far South And The Little Calumet River So Far North

The words to describe events of the past two weeks have not come to me yet. There was a hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, they named it IKE. Sure seemed so far away that my only concern was some family living there. Did not look like it would do much more than rain in their location, far south on the Gulf. A phone call assured me that all was well. They were safe and only received a lot of rain, no damage this time. Thank God.

I put in a call to friends in Dallas Texas on Friday September 12th. They said they got a lot of rain but no serious problems. The usual flooding in low areas. They were fine too. Thank God again. The rain from Ike was headed our way. It started and it did not stop until it had dumped a load too big for our region to handle. This hub is dedicated to the power and strength of Our Mother Nature.

The Fact Is

She knows no boundaries made by man. She does not care if you are black, white, red or yellow. She does not check your bank account or social status when she unleashes her will. Mother Nature doesn't care how old you are, if you are republican or democrat. There is no consideration for your health or your beauty. This is reality at it's foundation. We are all in this world together and this is the true law, not the laws of MEN, this is the law of Mother Nature. No man, no beast is better off than the other and lest we forget, just take a look here and see for yourself.

My camera captured the events as they unfolded. The words I am searching for are better left to the photos that follow.

The Power Of Moving Water

Sat.Sept.13th the heavy rain washed some boards from our yard down the street to the corner and another block to the next corner. The force of the water flow was amazing.
Sat.Sept.13th the heavy rain washed some boards from our yard down the street to the corner and another block to the next corner. The force of the water flow was amazing.
Note the truck in the distance on the previous picture.
Note the truck in the distance on the previous picture.

The Levy Could Not Contain The Heavy Rain

9:30 AM View from my front porch taken just after one of the Town Fireman knocked to tell us we should evacuate ASAP.
9:30 AM View from my front porch taken just after one of the Town Fireman knocked to tell us we should evacuate ASAP.
The driveway was filling up as we hurried to gather our dogs and take them to higher ground.
The driveway was filling up as we hurried to gather our dogs and take them to higher ground.
Some neighbors left on foot.
Some neighbors left on foot.
Some drove their vehicles.
Some drove their vehicles.
We gathered up what we could and made arrangements to move to higher ground. We also tried to disconnect all electrical appliances at our house. Note the time in this photo as we drove dogs and vehicles to safety. This is the first major intersection
We gathered up what we could and made arrangements to move to higher ground. We also tried to disconnect all electrical appliances at our house. Note the time in this photo as we drove dogs and vehicles to safety. This is the first major intersection
Firemen huddle on the corner of Columbia and Broadmoore.
Firemen huddle on the corner of Columbia and Broadmoore.
Our destination was flooding but the distance was another 1/2 block from this corner. The water was going down Howard St. but not as far as we were headed.
Our destination was flooding but the distance was another 1/2 block from this corner. The water was going down Howard St. but not as far as we were headed.

This Flooding Called For Drastic Measure

Just past our destination people gathered to try and do something to help.
Just past our destination people gathered to try and do something to help.
Officials were going in to rescue and help where they could.
Officials were going in to rescue and help where they could.
We returned to our house by 4 wheelers to try to salvage and move what we could to the upper level of the house.
We returned to our house by 4 wheelers to try to salvage and move what we could to the upper level of the house.
The driveway was covered but we managed to go in and remove what we could from the basement.
The driveway was covered but we managed to go in and remove what we could from the basement.
The garage was flooding but, we had taken the yard equipment out on the initial run. We saved the generator, power washer, lawnmower, and other large machines.
The garage was flooding but, we had taken the yard equipment out on the initial run. We saved the generator, power washer, lawnmower, and other large machines.
Inside the water was coming fast. We wanted to lift everything up or take it upstairs. Five of us worked as quick as possible.
Inside the water was coming fast. We wanted to lift everything up or take it upstairs. Five of us worked as quick as possible.
The new washer and dryer were raised off the ground as high as we could get them.
The new washer and dryer were raised off the ground as high as we could get them.
More neighbors fled as we worked to secure the house.
More neighbors fled as we worked to secure the house.
This is the same corner where I photographed the boards two days earlier. This vehicle had to be abandoned in the street when it stalled in deep water.
This is the same corner where I photographed the boards two days earlier. This vehicle had to be abandoned in the street when it stalled in deep water.

Danger In The Air

My Art Studio was frantically piled off the floor and on to all my work stations.
My Art Studio was frantically piled off the floor and on to all my work stations.
The last shot of the entrance to Adrift Art Studio taken as my name was being called to come quick with my camera.
The last shot of the entrance to Adrift Art Studio taken as my name was being called to come quick with my camera.
The house next door was caving at the foundation just about 8 ft. from the outside wall of my studio.
The house next door was caving at the foundation just about 8 ft. from the outside wall of my studio.
Water was filling their basement fast.
Water was filling their basement fast.
A timber from my garden rushed toward the opening.
A timber from my garden rushed toward the opening.
And in the hole it went. They have not found it as of Sept.30th.
And in the hole it went. They have not found it as of Sept.30th.
We decide there is little else we can do. The Art Studio is now compromised by the outside land movement and it is no longer worth risking injury or life for material belongings.
We decide there is little else we can do. The Art Studio is now compromised by the outside land movement and it is no longer worth risking injury or life for material belongings.

Shock Sweeps The Town And Panic Prevails

The levy breaches at our corner.
The levy breaches at our corner.
Water rises to reach the doors ledge.
Water rises to reach the doors ledge.
People rush to higher ground but the flooding keeps on coming.
People rush to higher ground but the flooding keeps on coming.
Night time falls on flooded streets and the river is still rising.
Night time falls on flooded streets and the river is still rising.
Sheltered by a close friend we wait to watch the news.
Sheltered by a close friend we wait to watch the news.
The local weather forecast is predicting the river will crest by 10 or 11PM
The local weather forecast is predicting the river will crest by 10 or 11PM

Watch For The Next Hub

I have been shooting photos of this disaster for the past two plus weeks. A siren sounds in the distance as I type this line. I will write the next hub on how this area dealt with the state of emergency we are facing. I have taken over 800 photos for records. I am thankful to have a camera and I am also thankful to have electrical power in our house.... No hot water or furnace. We are camping out now. Please count your blessings and stay tuned, C.S. Alexis

Answer = The Laws Of Mother Nature

working

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