Washed away

Rain, rain, and more rain. We’ve had nearly 8” of rain since the hay was cut. After yet another night sleep disrupted by thunder and lightning, I was glad to see that even though the hay field was flooded (and the hay ruined), the south garden was dry when I got up at 6:30. The radar showed that we were due for a break in the rain, so I ran out to do the broiler chores. At 7:30, the weather map looked like the front was splitting and would miss us.

But no. The front shifted north, and we were hit with another downpour. And another. And another. How much more rain could there be in the world? The water kept rising. The cut hay floated downstream and piled up in the southeast corner of our property. Terry worried that it would create a dam and hold the water on the field. By 8:40, water was standing in the south garden. By 10:37, the south garden was covered by a foot of water.  

Coop 2 at 8:40--the fifth oak is surrounded by water

The tops of the plants in the south garden are still visible at 8:40. Rows of hay are still visible in the back.

By 10:37, the posts at the end of the rows are almost covered. Only the pablo peppers (far left) are higher than the water. All the hay is piled up in the back.

And there was nothing we could do but watch and wonder how long plants can hold their breath. The south garden had ALL of the corn; ALL of the squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers; ALL of the peppers, and ALL 16 varieties of beans. What if they drowned? What if the water got up to Coop 2? On the plus side, if Coop 2 started floating, at least it would be easier to move.

To our immense relief, by lunchtime the water was receding, even though it was still raining. Coop 2 and the broilers’ run stayed out of the flood. As the afternoon went on, more and more of the land was exposed. If only we can have a few dry days…

The south garden at 1:50

And at 5:00 we can see the ground again.

Also at 5:00, the flood has receded far beyond the fifth oak and the broilers.