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

67

By C.S.Alexis

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

Comments

ChrisJohnsonArt profile image

ChrisJohnsonArt 2 years ago

That must have been very frightening to see the foundation of the neighbor's house break like that you must have been wondering what would be left later.

Huge sections of mexico city have been affected by poor drainage systems and heavy rains this last year. I guess you live in a flood plain since you mention the levy breaching.

canon cameras 3 years ago

Having a digital camera in your pocket or bag is a great way to capture some of the most awesome yet at times harrowing events...good hub..

C.S.Alexis profile image

C.S.Alexis Hub Author 3 years ago

Peggy W.

Tell me about your creativity, you mentioned a one person show. Maybe you could send an email. Thanks for reading here, C.S.

Peggy W profile image

Peggy W Level 8 Commenter 3 years ago

Oh C.S. so very sorry to see what has happened to your home, your art studio and your neighbors and community. We live in Houston and had a pretty much direct hit by hurricane Ike, but since we live on the western side of town.....about 70 miles from the Gulf of Mexico AND we were on the clean side of the storm, we suffered nothing but a yard littered with downed tree branches and were without electricity and phone service for less than 2 days. Many of our neighbors lost big trees; fences and some had roof damage.

Many of our friends in different parts of town did not fare as well as us and we were able to have them over here for meals; send home ice with them; offer our laundry facilities, etc. One even spent the night. Several were without electricity for almost 2 weeks right here in Houston.

NOTHING TO COMPARE WITH YOUR LOSSES! More similar to your experience are the people that hosted my very last one person art show in Galveston. They lost their home and their place of business was severely damaged. They intend to rebuild and are just hoping that their business will survive. Galveston and the other beach areas got POUNDED!

My parents ended up with about 3 feet of water in their home from Hurricane Beulah many years ago and it was just a fluke. Had the storm drains been clear, that would not have happened. Only 3 homes on the block suffered that kind of damage. What a mess! It was a one story house so most everything of value was damaged. Irreplaceable pictures and about 23 cans of ruined what became garbage had to be discarded. I was still a teenager living at home so I DO empathasize with what you are now having to undertake to get your life and home back together again.

When I see people putting lawn clippings and leaves down into storm drains, I cringe to this day.

So, so sorry. Hang in there! There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

C.S.Alexis profile image

C.S.Alexis Hub Author 3 years ago

SweeyiePie,

Thank you for reading here. I am sharing this because I feel that we often watch these things on TV and it provokes some compassion but we do not realize the impact it has on individuals as well as communities. A closer view might wake people up to their own fortunate life or help others who are suffering with loss.

This was a serious setback for me but I am way ahead of many neighbors as far as being up and running again. It will hopefully be of some help to someone out there. Thanks again, C.S.

SweetiePie profile image

SweetiePie Level 6 Commenter 3 years ago

The pictures of your dogss and the lady leaving on foot were very thought provoking. I believe God is watching out for you and thanks for sharing this all with us.

C.S.Alexis profile image

C.S.Alexis Hub Author 3 years ago

G-Ma,

God is watching over me I am not brave I am sheltered. Thanks for dropping in. C.S.

C.S.Alexis profile image

C.S.Alexis Hub Author 3 years ago

Eddie,

I will write about my personal dealings with God on this subject soon. Stay tuned please.

NYLady,

I am not through it yet. At the moment I am just trying to survive from one hour to the next.

Dar, 

The house is coming along, slow but sure.

Thank all of you for looking in and reading this Hub. I am glad to have a working computer at this stage of the game. Hope to get Vol. 2 published soon. What it is like to be a victim of flooding. Bless you all. C.S.

G-Ma Johnson profile image

G-Ma Johnson Level 4 Commenter 3 years ago

OMG  my prayers each day...you are a brave lady to take so many pics of this event.  You did a wonderful job and I too was very nervous as I looked at each pic. And can't help agree with Eddie "God knows how to get attention" through Mother Nature...Am so thankful you are okay...Are you still? It must be just devastating to see this happening??? And yes Mother Nature plays no favorites...as we have seen..once again prayers for all involved...G-Ma :o) Hugs

Dar 3 years ago

Excellent photos. . I hope you guys are coming along with your house. God Bless you.

NYLady profile image

NYLady 3 years ago

Wow -- fantastic hub that had my heart racing as I browsed through the photos. Can't believe what you went through and I hope that it all turned out OK for you. Looking forward to Vol 2.

Eddie Perkins 3 years ago

Amazing! Excellent hub. Thumbs up. Thankful you are safe. Glad you had a camera. I don’t know about “mother nature” but God knows how to get attention.

Thank you for writing. Thumbs up. ~ eddie

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