Floods come in the spring and move from headwaters south. This year, 2019, the news is watching those waters of northern rivers move downriver, now as far as Missouri, and more rain is in the offering. This is the maxi story told on evening news . The tale is real also on a mini level with each family that is involved. I heard a mini story of another flood, considered it an adventurous tale, and never asked the right questions.
In 1927, my parents lived in Monterrey, Louisiana. Daddy was a principal and ag teacher and Mother taught English and (to my amazement) led physical education. Daddy built their house, off the ground on pilings to let waters from the frequent floods of Black River flow underneath. That year, beginning in March, rains began near the Great Lakes and continued all down the mid-section of the country, drawing waters from all tributaries into the Mississippi. Ramifications of that disaster were fights that still exist today over how to control waters and the organization of refugee camps by Hoover which led to his being elected president.
These are the mini parts I heard from Mother only. “The water was the worst it had ever been. We had a Ford and your daddy tried to scaffold it in the barn. We did the same thing to furniture in the house. Finally we put what we could in a row boat and moved over to the second story of the school. Insert from me: (This was the two story brick building you’ve seen in pictures with steps leading up to the first floor. ) We kept the boat tied and crawled through the window. For 6 weeks your daddy’s feet didn’t touch dry ground.” (I know that part isn’t accurate because one story was he got all his hogs to a high place and went over to feed them) After those comments, not much was said. Just a head shake and back to the day.
How could I be so clueless! What was the cleaning out like? How much did they save? I did ask one time,”What did you do when it was all over?” Some of you know too well from Harvey what those answers would be. She gave the reply that covered every eventuality of her life, “We managed.”
Those two words became a banner cry for our family. What will we do? “We”ll manage.”
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…though the waters roar and be troubled.” Psalm 46: 1,3
(History buffs: Rising Tide John M. Barry. Learn about levees, jetties, crevasses)
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Let Me Tell Ya 