Indian Graves Levee Breaks

Cindy spent her early years living in the Indian Graves Drainage District. Their house was not far from the river, maybe a mile or so. She lived there until she was eight when her father died of lung cancer. That year was also a flood year with a levee break (1965). That flood was not nearly as bad as the flood of 93 of this one of 08. In 65 they were able to save/rebuild many of the buildings including the house. That house became the home of her brother Bobby and his wife Judy. They raised a large wonderful family there. Many of Cindy's relatives still have land in that area, including her brother, one of her sisters, an uncle and I believe a cousin or two.
The flood of 93 wiped away the house and most of the farm. The water that year was to the eves of the roof. Bobby and some others had taken a boat down into the flood waters to see the damage. While they were there a storm blew up. They tied their boats to trees and then clung to the trees themselves to wait out the storm. During the storm they watched as the house began to disintegrate due to the wave action and the wind. Now that would be tough to watch. The house you lived and raised a family in, gone before your eyes.
After 93 there was no rebuilding of the house. Just several buildings for the farm equipment. The government had stepped in and set limits on any rebuilding in the flood plain.
Now 2008. When Cindy heard the news she cried. Even though she has not lived there for all these years she still considers that home. She also knows what kind of damage that will do to the farm and how much it will hurt all the people that have farm ground down. It effects a lot of people in her family.
This is especially frustrating for me because this year I am not able to help. In the previous floods I helped where I could. In 93 we sanbagged at Gardner Denver during the day then went to Indian Graves to sand bag at night. One night while we were sandbagging at Indian Graves we worked right on the levee. It is an erie feeling to be standing on a sand levee when it moves to the weight of the water. This year I can't help because of my health. That is frustrating enough by itself, but I don't look sick. People see me and I look healthy to them. I look relatively fit and tanned like I've been playing a lot of golf. I reality I very little energy and what energy I have seems to dissapate rather quickly. Because of this I have been trying to avoid the flood areas as much as possible, but when it happens to people you know it can't be avoided any longer.
Our hearts go out to all of those who have lost to the flood. A lot of work goes into trying to save the land and homes along the river and it hurts when you see all that work washed away. The river is a beautiful place to live and work. The hot summer breezes blow through the cotton woods. Ice water in mason jars cause them to drip with condesation. Watermelon tastes better in the backyard at sunset.
In a month or so when things dry out the people will start again!

http://www.wgem.com/News/index.php?ID=25760

Ken F.