At least Gertrude is safe - Updated 1/16

[indycamper]

I live in the flood plain of the White River in central Indiana. With all the rain we've had the last few days, plus all the melting snow, the river is doing what rivers do in these situations - it is flooding. Now, my property is the highest on the street, and the house is built 4 feet off the ground, so getting water in the house just doesn't happen - at least it hasn't happened in the not-quite-hundred-years that the house has been in existence. But the garage is another story. It's at ground level, so will get flooded if the waters get high enough.

The projected crest on Monday night / Tuesday morning will put the flood waters lapping at the garage floor. Gertrude has been living in the garage, so she should be safe. BUT, the last time I trusted the NWS flood projections and did not take one of the cars out I ended up with 15 inches of water in the garage and a very expensive clean-out for the car!

So I have moved Gertrude out of the garage and out of the way of the rising water. The local hardware store, where I get most of my supplies whenever I can, graciously agreed to let me park her in their back lot. She should be safe and sound, encased in her cover, under the overhang of their shed, until the flood waters are down and I can safely get her back home and into her own garage.

I feel tht I have averted a tragedy. Having moved her, the crest will arrive when and at the height projected. Had I not moved her, the crest would be much higher than projected and she would have been bathed in muddy river water, starting her on the long road to rot and ruin. So glad to have been able to save her from such a fate!

[Wanna Be]

[GerryS]

As a fellow Indianapolis guy, I hear ya! It's wet!!! I'd offer space in my garage, but between Serenity, barber chairs, wood pellets, snow throwers and lawn mowers. I got nuttin' left!

[Verna]

Congrats, Sharon, on having such a great business neighbor

If worse comes to worse, Gertrude can fit in my side yard, in front of the SideKick. Just hollar if you need help. I only a half hour away.

[S. Heisley]

Excellent forethought, Sharon. Good luck on the upcoming winter/early spring weather and the possible floods.

[mezmo]

Sorry you're experiencing flooding woes but here's
a pat-on-the-back for having the forethought to get
your TD out of harm's way. It's great you had the time
to be able to do it, and that hardware store should win
an award for customer service !

[indycamper]

Glad I got her out - the projected crest was raised not quite a foot. I found this out about 2 a.m. when I couldn't sleep and checked the flood site. I spent an hour in the middle of the night getting some of my other stuff up off the garage floor!

Also, at the insistence of my daughters, have decided to NOT brave the flood waters and head out to work. I was planning on rowing out in my new little Porta-Bote, but it's 1/2 mile through some potentially swift waters and I haven't done any rowing in a couple of years. Guess I'll stay home until the waters are down enough so that I can wade out without problems. Then I'll take the boat out and practice my rowing once the river is back in it's banks for a while (and the weather is a LOT warmer!) Either that, or find a nice small outboard!

[WhitneyK]

As a fellow Indianapolis guy, I hear ya! It's wet!!!

HEY!!!
Remember, I live South of you and everything flows down hill. Give a guy a break and DON'T FLUSH TWICE!!!

[indycamper]

Waters are down enough that I waded out this morning and was able to drive in this evening, even though there is still a couple of inches over the road. Now all I have to do is power wash the garage and get stuff rearranged so I can bring Gertrude home this weekend!

[Mary C]

So glad to hear, I have prayed for you. I know water is nice most of the time, but not when it is heading for your home. Tell your friend at the store I said "Thank you" for his kindness Too.
Mary C.