Flood

Columbus was hit hard; the water was a foot above the record March 1913 flood. I’ve been in St. Louis since last Saturday for Twangfest.

I called my mom yesterday afternoon, and I’ve never heard panic in her voice like that. Someone came and rescued her and my grandmother on an earthmover and took them to my great-grandmother’s house. The house is
at least five feet above the street, and when they finally left, there was four inches of water in the garage. The East Fork of the White River seems to have crested earlier than expected.

She sent me a text message at 3AM: “Pretty sure Roger lost trailer. Can’t sleep. Mom”

It broke my heart; I called her as I was driving back from the club. I spent all day wondering if I’d have a home to go back to and preparing for the worst, refreshing the Indianapolis Star and Columbus Republic websites for updates. I read about the road closures (I-70 in both directions for 30 miles between Putnamville and Indy, I-65 from 465 to Seymour, 31 through Johnson & Bartholomew Counties, parts of 135 and
37, 46 west of Columbus) and couldn’t get home whether I wanted to or not, so I’m still in St. Louis.

My aunt made her way to Columbus from Scipio and picked up Mom this morning; she’s been at the house since 11 this morning trying to clean up the mud. I’m planning on heading back tomorrow after stocking up on supplies that have run out around Columbus; I’ll carry as much water as can fit in my car (not much, considering how much I had to bring with me for the festival), and a power washer, since ours bit the dust due to water damage.

I’ve felt helpless and worthless for the last day and a half, and I just want to get back and start fixing shit.