A “500-year” rain…

Today we drove to our hometown in southeastern Michigan, which was hit recently by a torrential rain that overwhelmed several municipal sewage systems. As a result, many basements/cellars were flooded with sewage water as deep as 4'. Given the nature of the flood water, residents simply had to throw away *anything* that got wet. It was so sad to see all the furniture and family heirlooms that had become trash. In one case, a woman had to break up a crib that her father or grandfather had made for her and her siblings.

Residents were advised to break up the furniture lest anyone “trash pick” it and attempt to sell it at a yard sale/garage sale/tag sale. People were also advised to refrain from purchasing furniture at an area yard sale/garage sale/tag sale…

Not surprisingly, regional trash and garbage sites were also overwhelmed temporarily, since this volume of trash & refuse exceeded their capacities.

This photo was taken just down the street from Clare’s mom’s house. Mom was spared any damage, in part because she’s near the top of her inclined street.

1 year ago (“Circle of Life”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-08-19
2 years ago (“At a great-great-great grandmother’s grave”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-08-19
3 years ago (“Reflections of greens and browns”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-08-19

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[Danette Thompson]

That's horrible. :-(