Settling Down

Tonight there are uncomforting thumps and bangs from downstairs as stuff settles with the withdrawing flood water. I know it's a good thing, but it still sounds scary. I've not seen any bubbles in the water that might lead me to suspect a gas leak, so I suppose we're doing alright. Though we still have many feet of water we never had to leave our home, so I KNOW we're alright. Since there's not much else I can do right now I'm heading up to my art studio room where it's warmer anyway and I have all sorts of lovely things to distract me from the yuck in the basement. :)


-- Tree

2013 Downtown Kokomo Indiana Flood

*UPDATE: The City of Kokomo has issued a press release declaring this the worst flood on record.
 Starting, at our home, somewhere around 4:00 AM April 19, 2013 the Wildcat Creek in Kokomo Indiana began to flood from recent heavy rainfall. By 5:00 AM many homes near the creek and in other low lying areas began to fill with water. At this time, 11:45 PM, the water in our basement continues to rise though the creek should be cresting its flood peak by now. The water inside and outside the house has turned to a slick looking shade of dark brown. Thankfully we do sit up a bit higher than most, and our damage isn't too extensive; We've watched neighbors floating past in boats to retrieve belongings, so we know we're lucky. Our hearts go out in thanks to the very nice people we encountered on our way to fetch drinking water and in sympathy to those in the flood effect areas!

Early afternoon, water main replacement work on East Walnut Street ceases as the flooding from natural causes worsens.

Low lying areas outside of downtown Kokomo are being hit the hardest.

An entrance gate and home rest beneath the flood water in Kokomo.

Longview Street in Kokomo mid-afternoon of the flood.

The water continues to rise here on East Sycamore Street, Kokomo IN.

A hopeful basket of Spring flowers bobbed past, riding the flood current in Kokomo. 

Longview Street in Kokomo mid-afternoon of the flood.

This old fence was soon covered by flood water.

Turbid flood water strains to fit through the historic district of downtown Kokomo Indiana.

The majority of this view normally doesn't have water covering it.

Rescue workers arrive and heavy vehicles seem to be moved onto overpass bridges to weigh them down against the bobbing flood currents in the City of Kokomo.

Kokomo Fire Department arrives with rafts to rescue water logged residents in need.

Kokomo Fire Department arrives at Union Street with rafts to rescue water logged residents in need.

Flood waters push through the City of Kokomo Riverfront District.

The Union Street bridge fights back the flood.

A house in the City of Kokomo Riverfront District under flood water.

The flooding begins to catch media attention by late afternoon.

Rows of trees lining the bank of the Wildcat Creek usually do not have water touching them.

Main Street, City of Kokomo Riverfront District

City of Kokomo Riverfront District in flood.

Flood water from the Wildcat Creek reaches close to the historic 1913 level under the old railroad trestle bridge.

Turbid water pushes under the closed Main Street bridge in Kokomo.

A haunting image from the flooding in Howard County.

Looking towards the rising flood water down Main Street in Kokomo.

An urban walking trail runs along the Wildcat Creek in Kokomo. By the afternoon of April 19, 2013 the path was nearly submerged in flood water.

This trestle bridge in Kokomo Indiana survived the great flood of 1913 due to railroads and residents having loaded the bridge with heavy cars of coal; Back then the water was lapping the base of the bridge -- not far from where it is in this photo!

 A view of Washington Street bridge by Foster Park, behind the fire department in Kokomo.

The trestle bridge in Kokomo Indiana and the rising Wildcat Creek.

A resident surveys the water level at the old trestle bridge in Kokomo Indiana.

Throughout the afternoon many residents braved a walk over the old trestle bridge in Kokomo for a view of the flooding Wildcat Creek.

The Wildcat Creek enjoys a visit to Foster Park in downtown Kokomo.

The swing set, tall slide, and other playground equipment at Foster Park in Kokomo under flood water.

Through the trees the performance stage at Foster Park in Kokomo can be seen under flood water too.

The Wildcat Creek breeches its banks and leaves Foster Park in the City of Kokomo under flood water.

In the early evening it began to rain again. By the morning of April 20 the wheel tred on the machine and green grass pictured here was covered with even more water.

At the dip between sloping roads residents use a boat to get around near North Purdum Street in Kokomo.

By the early evening passersby must use a boat.

A flooded side yard on North Purdum Street.

END

 The photographs in this blog post were taken by both James and Tree Pruitt during a walk to the store one afternoon in Spring. Later in the morning hours of the next day the water began to rapidly pull back and sink away filling the town with gurgling bubbling sounds of relief!

-- Tree