Author Topic: In the Blink of an Eye  (Read 3111 times)

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Offline Farmtalk

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In the Blink of an Eye
« on: June 24, 2016, 05:08:25 AM »
I don't know when the next time I will be on here will be. Yesterday, a convergence zone along a warm front dropped torrential rains in a short amount of time in my region. We received around 2" of rain in a 90 minutes period between 7-9am but then got another 3-4" between 2 and 5pm.

I ran up with my mother and sister behind our house as the floodwaters rose quickly, barefoot and watched in horror as the vehicles in our yard disappeared and were sent downstream. We stayed up high on the mountainside overlooking the creek for around 3 hours, watching as Mother Nature proceeded with her destructive means. Thankfully by around dusk, it was about over. However, water got into my house and we sustained considerable damage.

Now the river around my region (Elk River at Queen Shoals, WV)  is currently cresting at an all time level, a level that was thought to have never happened with a dam implementation a few decades ago. The communities in my region are being devastated. I have been in shock since the event happened, and I am not afraid to say that it was easily the scariest thing I have ever witnessed or been a part of. My creek hasn't flooded in over 90 years, but now it has.

Please say a prayer for the communities in my area in the hopes that we can bounce back. This will be difficult for many and easy for few. I haven't been able to sleep all night thinking about the events that happened. I'll post a few pictures with time, but it could be several weeks before my electric is on. I'm using a friend's phone to type this message.

Things change quickly, sometimes in the blink of an eye. I'm glad I still have my family to lean against.
Joe Fitzwater
Chief Meteorologist for WVNS-TV 59 in Beckley, WV

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Offline ocala

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2016, 05:38:51 AM »
That's terrible news Joseph.
Hopefully the house is still livable.
But as you said you have family to lean on and that will get you through this difficult period.
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Offline Maumelle Weather

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2016, 06:18:48 AM »
I had heard about the flooding and thought of you, Joseph.  Glad everyone is safe. Hopefully your house will be livable again.

Jhon
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Offline tbrasel

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2016, 06:41:55 AM »
Sad news. Hope all goes as well as can be expected. Just gut wrenching news. You & your family will be in our prayers.
Best Regards
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Offline ValentineWeather

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #4 on: June 24, 2016, 06:55:28 AM »
Sad news, hope everyone stays safe.
Randy

Offline CW2274

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2016, 03:18:28 PM »
 :shock: Damn. Try to keep your spirits up.

Offline PaulMy

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #6 on: June 24, 2016, 04:32:52 PM »
Thanks for posting Joseph as I hadn't heard.  And prayers for you/your family and your communities.  Stay well!

Paul


Offline DanS

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2016, 06:30:17 PM »
Best wishes Joseph and my prayers go out to all effected as well.

Offline Otis

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2016, 08:01:53 AM »
Joseph, any update?  Please let us know when you are able.

CW3699

Offline ValentineWeather

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #9 on: June 25, 2016, 08:12:48 AM »
News is saying at least 23 confirmed perished in the flooding. Sounds like it's still a mess.
Randy

Offline cospringswx

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2016, 01:28:27 PM »
Hope everything is OK Joseph. Seen that on the local news and you came to mind.




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Offline BigOkie

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2016, 01:43:45 PM »
Unfortunately Joseph, I know what you are going through as I lived through the Tulsa Memorial Day flood of 1984.  Many friends of mine lost their homes and vehicles.  I was just a junior in high school but it affected me like no other event has (locally).

Will keep you and the rest of the region in my thoughts.  I know the kind of people that come out of that region and I'm sure you guys will bounce back.
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Offline chief-david

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #12 on: June 25, 2016, 03:12:57 PM »
Joseph,
     We are all here thinking of you and your family.  We know you won't read this for a while.  Hope you can get back to normal as soon as possible.



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Offline gadget_guy

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #13 on: June 25, 2016, 08:50:33 PM »
Joseph:

Thinking an praying for you and your family.  Hope you are safe and sound.
 

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Offline Mark / Ohio

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #14 on: June 26, 2016, 01:21:38 AM »
Really sorry to hear of your troubles Joseph!   :sad:  I hope your still doing ok. [-o<

I have another internet friend in WV, he's ok but been talking about all the damage.  He's an engineer inspecting the damage on the bridges.
Mark 
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Offline chief-david

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #15 on: June 26, 2016, 10:09:55 AM »
Saw an interview on NBC.  Guy in a Marshall hat.  Trapped in a strip mall for 12 hours. Thought it could be Joseph.




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Offline sundevil01010101

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #16 on: June 26, 2016, 11:39:31 AM »
Hi Joseph,

I'm not sure I can say anything else but wow I am so sorry to hear you were personally affected by the tragic flooding.   Glad to hear you and family are safe and that you have that support network.

Sincere best wishes and I hope the recovery (which I realize will take some time) comes as fast as it can.  It must have been quite a day to watch all that happen live.

I would encourage forum members who can to make a Red Cross donation, you can earmark the funds for W VA flooding as I did. 

Or a donation to whatever charity you want if you hate the Red Cross or something...  I'm sure any amount will be gratefully accepted.

Good luck Joseph, again so sorry for the troubles the weather has brought your way.



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Offline Farmtalk

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #17 on: June 27, 2016, 11:38:38 AM »
Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers everyone! There is no doubt, this is the flood of the century here in my area. We received anywhere from 7-9" of rain in 6 hours. Not sure whether the house will make it but at least there is flood insurance. Water actually never got level with the living area of the house, but it came up through the air vents and so there is still about 4"of mud in the house. There was about  3' in the garage and the basement was full. Five vehicles were put down the creek, 2 got water and 1 was unaffected. About a third of the foundation was knocked out of the house which is the main issue. Will see what to do.

Some areas in my community were hit much harder. I was in the town of Clendenin that received a record crest from the Elk River, and I would say 80% of the town lost everything. Just unreal. But I along with everyone else in between work is gonna get to work to bounce back! Love good ol' West Virginia. Thanks again for the thoughts and prayers!
Joe Fitzwater
Chief Meteorologist for WVNS-TV 59 in Beckley, WV

Work Page on Facebook -> www.facebook.com/meteojoe
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Waterfalls -> www.wvfalls.com

Offline WeatherHost

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #18 on: June 27, 2016, 11:44:08 AM »
That's one of the problems in areas where water runs or rushes through.  The current increases and does much of the damage.

Where I am, we get rising water that closes roads and floods houses and businesses, but there is little or no current.  Lots of water damage from soaking, but no real washout damage or things swept away.


Offline Farmtalk

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In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #19 on: June 27, 2016, 05:30:10 PM »

These are a few photos of my area that got hit. The three vehicles in the creek are mine, out of five total lost. Water got in the house a bit but hopefully she will be savaged. And that's me helping dad get a foot path across the bridge.
Joe Fitzwater
Chief Meteorologist for WVNS-TV 59 in Beckley, WV

Work Page on Facebook -> www.facebook.com/meteojoe
Work Page on Twitter -> https://twitter.com/meteojoe
Waterfalls -> www.wvfalls.com

Offline cospringswx

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #20 on: June 27, 2016, 06:05:36 PM »
Wow.




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Offline Otis

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #21 on: June 27, 2016, 06:20:43 PM »
Wow.  At least you and your family are safe, right!  Wish you the best, not sure what but if there is something we can do please speak up.

CW3699

Offline CW2274

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #22 on: June 27, 2016, 06:22:46 PM »
Unreal.
Not to be Captain Obvious, but water is as invasive as it gets, so mold will certainly be a huge problem for the house.

Offline gadget_guy

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #23 on: June 27, 2016, 07:50:46 PM »
Unbelievable to see the fury an destruction brought forth by Nature.  Stay safe and best to you and your family
 

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Offline Farmtalk

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Re: In the Blink of an Eye
« Reply #24 on: June 27, 2016, 07:56:11 PM »
Thanks guys! I have cell service again so I can at least chat a bit! Just glad nobody got hurt. Feet ache a tad from the thorns and cuts but it's not too bad. Just glad I have what I have that's left! Will be getting a new weather station soon!
Joe Fitzwater
Chief Meteorologist for WVNS-TV 59 in Beckley, WV

Work Page on Facebook -> www.facebook.com/meteojoe
Work Page on Twitter -> https://twitter.com/meteojoe
Waterfalls -> www.wvfalls.com

 

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