Mark planned a Birthday celebration for me at one of my favorite restaurants in Sioux Falls- Minerva's. It rained all day and into the evening, but I didn't think anything of it. I took a nice nap that afternoon with the boys, so I didn't have the TV on much and when I woke up just got ready to go out. I got a call from my Mom saying she was watching the boys, and if our sitter didn't feel comfortable with the weather predictions, they would watch ours too. I was in shock, I didn't have any idea the weather was going to turn severe, just thought we were having a rainy day. Unfortunately, we were in a tornado watch when we were leaving town! Because of that some people didn't leave till it expired. I know, I still can't believe we left. But with that said, it didn't start until after we were in the car and on our way. I had hired a classmate of Caleb's to watch the boys, and her husband was with her. I felt really safe leaving them with all the weird weather that was going on, and I was really looking forward to a night out :) But we all ended up making it to SF, and had a great time, despite the heavy rain. The weather wasn't letting up, so instead of making pit stops at bars, everyone ended up heading home early. In the end that was fine, this old lady knew I'd be getting up with a newborn throughout the night anyways!
Sunday, June 15:
Father's Day started out as a nice morning, church & then lunch at my parents house. Mom, Cori & I took all the kids to the pool. Which gave the men some time alone to do whatever they wanted, I think 2 of the 3 did yard work ;) As the day went on, we kept hearing reports of more rain coming and the fact the Rock River was going to flood. So a huge sand bagging effort took place on Sunday afternoon, and through the night. Mark, Dad & James all went to help. They were talking record high flood stage levels, and that's exactly what we got. The last time I remember a flood like this was back in 1993. I can still remember watching people sand bag, as I stood watch of Caleb in the stroller. I also remember seeing the park flooded, where the water almost reached the train bridge...
Little did we know this would be the last day the pool would be open for close to 2 weeks.
Monday, June 16:
The rain & severe weather didn't let up. The TV had a continuous weather update scrolling for days. It just became normal that we were in a thunderstorm watch/warning. The park was flooded, the river was raging out of it's banks. But the town felt they had it under control, the dikes that had been built were holding and the sandbags had helped in many areas! Much to everyone's dismay, the day would get worse, and the flooding would rise.
We had to go to Sioux Falls for my 6 week doctor appointment (4 o'clock). It poured rain all afternoon! I remember being in the doctor's office and Mark was in the car with they boys. As I sat and waited for the doctor to come in, the thunder/lightning & hail were giving quite a show and making some terrible noise! Then I heard sirens, come to find out a building next door got struck and was on fire! When we got out of there, I remember looking at Facebook and people were posting pictures of the terrible flooding happening back in Rock Rapids. Not to mention that Hwy 9 into RR was closed! You couldn't get into town, due to water over the road. All the gravels were washing out, it wasn't safe to drive on them either. So what to do? We went out for supper with the boys (5:30 PM), still not realizing how bad it really was back home. We decided to try our luck, and head for Rock Rapids (7 PM). Then it started to hail again. Our Yukon received some damage (worth fixing in our opinion), but we were all safe which is all that mattered. Thankfully the road was open, but you could see where the water had been over the road. Pulling into RR was a sight I'll never forget. The fire trucks had the Hwy blocked off, and there was water everywhere! We got home and realized that our basement was wet :( Thankfully it wasn't sewer water, only rain water. So after moving all the toys/furniture in the basement, Dad & Mark started sucking it all out of the carpet. We weren't complaining after seeing what so many were dealing with.
Superman couldn't even save the day! Easton got use to going for a ride to see the water. Shortly after this timeframe, water became his favorite word. Every time we got in the car, he'd ask to go see the water.
Tuesday, June 17:
Well as if turning 30 wouldn't be an easy one to remember, we had a record flood to help. Because of the flood, I really didn't do much to celebrate the actual day. I was home with 1) no running water (boil ban), 2) no toilet (couldn't flush) and 3) no shower (see #1). My Mom did manage to cook me supper that night for us, and I actually made my own Birthday cake. After all what's a Birthday with no cake? As long as bottled water was used for cooking, we were safe, but made for a real pain when it came to doing dishes. But enough feeling sorry for myself. I know so many people were tragically affected by the flood. As for my Birthday, they aren't what they use to be anyways, right?
aerial view of Rock Rapids
This is down on Tama and Marshall street, they were affected the most.
Island Park by the swimming pool and the boys' daycare. They were actually closed for 2 days because of the flood.
The view of Rock Rapids from the East side
The bridge over the river, Hwy 9. Water touched the bottom!!
Another aerial view, you can just make out Rapid Speedway!
Uncle Caleb came home to help out the town and his good friend, Scott. His home was one of those that was affected by the flood.
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