This just in! Raging Rapids Reak Havok on Rhode Island Rivers!

(Just sharing my thoughts and experience on a marking in History, from my eyes.)

While I am not directly affected by the EPIC flooding going on here in my home state (and home town) becuase I was clever enough to buy a home on the highest hill in town, many of my fondest childhood places and memories are being swpet away by an astonishing current in the highest flooding the Pawtuxet has seen in any of our lifetimes. Saddly, hundreds of people are effected with massive damages and the danger of disease and bacteria growth due to failing water treatment plants, and so their water is contaminated, power stations completely under water, and they can't even return home to try and salvage what they can due to mandatory evacuations. Our shellfishing beds are completely contaminated, and our export of seafood will be severely affected (as if our 11.5% unemployment rate wasn't bad enough already).

While its true that on the larger scale of national disasters, it is small. But we are a small community and a small state, and everyone is either directly affected or knows someone who is. I have seen some of the most amazing sights of Mother Nature, and Human Nature. I've seen a 200 year old mill crumble to pieces under the raging rapids over its turbines, and I've seen firemen risking all to save a puppy caught in the floodwaters. Truely this is has brought out the best and worst in people.

We NEer's are tough, though. The rivers are slowly beginning to receed and we're starting to pick up the pieces of our small state. The damage is substantial. You have to understand that this river (Namely the Pawtuxet) separates the northern half of RI from the southern half. If you live south of it, you MUST cross it to get to Providence, Boston, or anywhere north. There are some 20 crossway bridges, and more than 3/4 of them are currently either destroied or under water and impassable. I live on the southern hill of the Pawtuxet Valley, and have had to find a new way every day to cross it to get to work. This makes life especially difficult, as the river has completely swallowed a large chunk of the main highway Rt 95 in the mid-state, practically cutting off most major access. Traffic has been bound up for hours and hours with people trying to get on with life, to keep pushing on.

I know, in the end, and after a few years of reconstruction and the community pulling together, that life will return to normal. But I must admit that I am proud of how my community has reacted thus far, and will continue to strive forward. The hardest parts are still ahead, and they will take time and effort, but New England has been on the map since it was first drawn. We'll be here a while yet.

Sion,
I glad that your home is up on a hill.  I was wondering about you and your new house.  I've been watching all of the flooding and damage to your area and really feel bad for all of the people who lost everything. 
Stay high and dry!
Deb

Hey Deb,

Thank you for your thoughts. I am extremely fortunate that I have not suffered any major damages (I had some minor concrete weeping that may end up as mold, but that is minimum compared to many around here). So many small businesses, people's homes, and even our local mall was completely inundated with water. There was a 3 foot flood in the mall, and I've seen the pictures of the damage. Its both remarkable and devistating to think about the losses. It was hard for me not to say something. Didn't mean to sound preachy if I did.

Sion

Hi Sion,

I'm so glad to hear that you and your family along with your home are safe, sound and on dry land.

It is hard to see the effects that can be brought on by Mother Nature.  As you state, it brings out the not so great parts of people and situations but refreshingly the best of people and heartwarming stories.  I enjoyed reading your post because your loyalty and love of your community and region are wonderful.

Take care, Cathy

Hey Cathy,

There are so many scam artists out there right now trying to take advantage of the victims, fake ads everywhere for bogus contractros trying to make a buck off of those who lost everything and are desperate for a good price. It makes your blood run cold. To drive down the road seeing piles of ruined, soaked carpets and ruined belongings waiting for refuse disposal to pick them up. Its really sad. But I like to see the other stories about humanity, seeing pictures of firemen carrying an 80 year old woman through 3 feet of flooded streets, or neighbors bailing out each other's basements.

Thanks for the thoughts!!

Sion

Oh Sion, I'm so glad you are safe!  I understand what you are saying as what your town is experiencing is similar to our hurricanes.  I agree that the worst and the best is there for all to see.  Scam artists seem to smell out potential victims and move in before the good folks have a chance to turn around twice.

Of course, to someone who has their black belt in shopping (me!) I was doing O****il I read your mall was flooded.   Seriously, I wish you all well.  It is take years to get the repairs completed and so many people will suffer in the meantime.  You all have my thoughts and prayers.  Is there a recovery fund (legit) that folks can contribute to?

Take care, my friend.

As far as I know, there is no singular dedicated fund. FEMA and the Red Cross are both providing aide to those who need it on a "qualification" basis. You have to qualify and meet their standards before they provide a loan against next year's tax refund. Its a bit... well its not anything like they're providing victems of other disasters. But again... being so small, no one is really comming by and check out what really happened and to whom. I guess if a donatation was to be made, the Red Cross and their efforts would be the best place to start.

Thanks for asking, though. I wish there was a fund for those poor people who fared alot worse than I, but right now, there isn't.

Correction, a website has just been created today for donations to the recovery effort.

http://floodrecovery.ri.gov/

Thanks, Sion.  The little bit I can donate will not be significant by itself, but hopefully many will contribute a "little bit" until real relief can be financed.

Your heart is amazingly large and your donation is appreciated and will be put to good use, I'm sure. Thank you on behalf of my community to you and anyone who donates.