So, here’s the thing.
Life is crazy. Two days ago I made myself the promise that I would go to the gym every day from now until July 4th. That failed on the very first day when I couldn’t get to the gym because of rain.
Mother Nature is a bitch.
The storms here over the last two days led to flooding in my city (I live in a small place north of Memphis). The levee that kept the river at bay here broke in two and flood water spread across a good portion of our city, in addition to the rain that added up. We got over 10″ in a few hours the first go around then it added several more inches over the next day.
We were lucky to be just out of the reach of the water. It started in our direction, flooded the park we walk at and part of our neighborhood. But it didn’t directly affect us thankfully. But it has ruined a lot of people’s lives. Friends of the family and people we know had to take only the necessities when they were evacuated from houses with the water rising. Cars, houses, possessions all totaled. In other parts of the area the flooding and storms have taken lives. It just makes me so sad. We were lucky that the funnel cloud spotted near us last night didn’t touch down, but even without tornadoes in the mix this is horrible.
So now all the hotels are full and shelters are open in a community center and a church. The Red Cross is taking care of people that have been displaced.
Some pictures I took before the roads were closed off yesterday. These are the tame pictures, actually. Google some news stories/pictures about the flooding in Tennessee and you’ll see what I mean.
Aerial view of part of the city, including my mom’s place of work:
The flooding isn’t just in my town. It’s widespread across my state. Places are flooded from Memphis to Nashville and many people have needed to be rescued from their houses, a few have gotten swept away, and at least one has drowned. Flash flooding can continue through today and more rain might be expected, so it could get worse but we are all praying for the opposite.
We are under a dusk to dawn curfew now, which doesn’t mean much since we have flooding all around us and I can’t go anywhere (I ride a scooter so…..no). My gym is on the other side of town, through the water, so that isn’t happening either. I’m not thinking so much about the normal day to day stuff. I’m sure I will go back to working out and obsessing about being healthy soon enough, tomorrow, maybe, but for today I’m going to see how I can help friends and neighbors who lost everything they worked so hard to get.
If you want to help people affected by the storms and widespread flooding, please please go donate to the Red Cross. They always show up, they always help, they are a great organization.
Update: most of the water in my city has gone back to the drains, ditches, and rivers. The roads are clear and now people are just working on getting their stuff dried out/taken care of. Luckily no one here got hurt and stuff can all be replaced. Those are good things.
Oh my that is so sad. Take good care of yourself and your family. I can’t imagine.
.-= Anonymous Fat Girl´s last blog ..“Life is really simple…” + shepherd’s pie recipe =-.
It’s so sad. I went through the flooding in NC from hurricane Floyd and saw firsthand how flooding destroys homes and turns your life upside down. I’m glad you haven’t been directly affected, and hope that remains the case. I’m sure saying a prayer for everyone who has been. :(
.-= Josie´s last blog ..Josie in a kilt? =-.
I didn’t know you were in TN… I live in Nashville.
And yes, it is bad. We are flooded in. I am thankful that I was able to get to the store this morning before it started again. It is so scary.
Stay safe, and I will try to as well!
.-= Hollie´s last blog ..Eating Disorder? =-.
Yep I’m really close to Memphis. We used to live in Franklin. I hope you guys stay safe and dry! I’ll be thinking of you!
Oh no! I hope everything is okay babe.
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Eating and Exercising =-.
And that all your family and friends are safe.
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Eating and Exercising =-.
Everyone is safe. Just stuff that got ruined. But stuff can always be replaced. :)
it’s terrible here in Corinth, MS too. Walmart has flooded and is shut down…(sorry if that sounds redneck, lol) and I’ve heard Kroger and K-Mart both have water inside the store there, too. I sooo dont’ want my apt to flood! So far so good in my parking lot but more rain is coming.
.-= Craig´s last blog ..Week 34 and a lot of other stuff =-.
I saw that. :(
Haha, walmart being shut down here would be sad too. Its the main store.
I hope your apt stays dry!
Wow, this is pretty devastating to hear. You weren’t kidding when you said your entire city is in water. It really is.
I’m glad everyone is ok. And you’re right. Things can always be replaced. Time to go tell the people who mean the most to me how much they mean to me.
.-= Jess´s last blog ..Day 90: A Trader Joe’s Outing =-.
Stay safe Mary. We got a lot of rain too, but not nearly as much as you have gotten. Tennessee was really hit hard. Take care.
.-= South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Here Comes the Rain! =-.
Stay safe girl! I’m not sure if you remember but I live in Tennessee too. I’m so so very thankful that we didn’t have as much rain as People in Memphis and Nashville did. I couldn’t fathom what everyone is going through. When I saw the photos you had up on this blog post. I said to myself that I’m so thankful that I’m not going through this too. You as well as the many other ppl going through this is in my prayers!
.-= Maryy Beth´s last blog ..Details of my Journal Entry from iPregnancy =-.
Mary, I have seen this on the news & reading about it from other bloggers. So very sad & tragic & scary!!!! Be safe & my heart goes out to all!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..A Day Makes a Difference; Sunday Happenings! =-.
I thought of you when I heard about the flooding on the news. I live in MA and we had the worst March – not one, but 2 horrible flooding storms. I hope it all ends soon.
Stay safe!
Oh my goodness! I hope it continues to go down quickly, that’s not fun for anyone!
Wow the weather has been crazy this year. I know new england, where my family lives, had power outages and flooding a few months back as well. Im glad you guys are safe.
.-= merri´s last blog ..Reasons to Blog, even with hardly any readers =-.