Part 2 of Flooding in Vermont

Close up view of the flooded playground at our home in Vermont.

 

The weather has reported excessive heat and rain over the last couple of weeks here in our area.  There has been flooding all over Vermont causing a declaration of a State of Emergency by officials. Other than staying home and safe, it did not seem to affect us, personally, until a couple of days ago.  

In my previous post I described the day the flooding was on our property. The water was filling our basement.  Later in the day, things got worse. Throughout the house, we announced, "Limit the use of water. Don't do dishes or laundry."  We did not want to add an additional strain on our well or leach field.

As rain continued to fall throughout the day and night, we watched the property to check the progression of the flooding.  I am thankful for the peace we felt. We did not let panic overtake us as we watched the water soaking our property.  We went up to the second floor to get a better look at the front grounds. I said, as I looked out the front window, "The Lord is in control. He is doing what He wants."  He is the Master Gardener in our lives. It is His will and plan, not our own. We will serve Him with joy and He will take care of us. We would not let ourselves worry. My husband was resigned to the possibility of loss. We were doing all we could possibly do. We could not stop the rain or the flooding. It was out of our hands.

Our neighbors were all going through the same thing. We all had to manage our own properties and try to make good decisions. Constant checks were being made on the level of flooding in our basement. This 150 year old house does not have a common type of basement. It has a dirt floor.  Our concern was mainly that the water level would not reach our furnace. Throughout the day it kept getting close.

Action was needed to stop the flow of water from running toward the house in order to protect the basement from further damage.  With the help of one of our grown sons, trenches were dug out in the back of the house to limit the entrance of water. There was not much more we could do in the back. Water was coming from the hill across the street, running down our driveway. It was filling the front grounds and soaking it with water.  Soon a portion of our driveway was flooded and joined with the flooded water near our playground.

More flooding at our playground. The water rose enough to blend into the driveway.

The homemade trenches were checked on throughout the day and fixed as needed. Our main goal was to protect the house.  As we stood by the window on the 2nd floor to get a better perspective of the work before us, I suggested we run a large trench from the flooded portion of the driveway to the other side of the property.  This would divert more water away from the direction of the front of the house and prevent more of it from entering the basement.  

Flooded driveway diverted into a trench to protect our house.

The water soon gushed into the trench and had a better place to go!  The beautiful green grass all around the water is soaked. It looks safe and untouched. But if you walk on it, your shoes will become drenched. 

All day, at intervals, we battled the water, checked on the basement and just praised God for protection. I saw birds flying gently around the scenery. This beautiful sight comforted me.  There was always a concern for what would happen, with an occasional worry about the rising river which borders our property.  

By nine o'clock that night I was in the kitchen doing a couple of dishes and thought I would go to bed. My husband announced he had found an old pump and hoses stored away somewhere and had set it up in the basement. It was working!  I was so grateful for the wisdom and ingenuity given him to figure out what it was and how to use it! 

This morning, much of the water on the grounds has abated. But the basement is still filling up. The pump is running at intervals, but the water is still an issue.  We have been warned that excessive rain and more flooding is expected this afternoon into the night. There will be more work to do to take care of this property to the best of our ability. Through it all we will continue to pray and praise the dear Lord as we know that we are just stewards of what we have been given.  All things on this earth deteriorate, rust, and decay.  Yet, when we get to our eternal home, the beauty will never diminish. Our treasures are in heaven. 

Blessings

Mrs. White

From the Archives -

Always remember - The House Comes First. 

Encouragement - How the Old Time Mothers Survived Poverty.

The joy of taking care of grandchildren - I Hear Angels Crying.

 

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  For Encouragement in Christian Homemaking, order Mrs. White's book, "Homemaking For Happiness: Wonderful Days at Home."

In this book, you will find essays, articles, and diary entries about life in a Christian home.

Entries are arranged by season, and include:  "Keeping a Frugal Kitchen;" "Missing the Lilacs;" "An Evening Walk in the Garden;" "At Grandmother's House;" and "Chores for Grandchildren."

You will also find a few photographs showing a little of the local landscape.

Paperback, 307 pages.