Our flood adventures

Given the rise in water and the persistent flood watches being issued by the National Weather Service, we decided to check out water levels and see what was going on with everything around the rivers, creeks and so forth. So, Saturday afternoon, we headed out toward the river. My wonderful groom's kids are great adventurers, so it's fun to go out exploring when they are with us and see what we stumble upon.

We went by several areas that are known to flood, including the YMCA, which took 4' of water inside the building during the April flooding. Fortunately, it's only up as high as the parking lot for now, which is a common occurrence, and it doesn't appear that the Meadowbrook area is taking on much water (thank God, since some of those folks are still remodeling from the April flood... others just got moved back in...)We also checked out Skipper Bridge, which was completely under water during April's major flood, and has since been closed, as it is deemed unsafe for vehicular travel. We walked out there to the Hydrologic Monitoring Station there on the river. It was interesting. The water levels were high, but not anything close to what we saw in April.The area behind us in this shot is what it's like on the other side of the river from the Y. We got permission from Dr. Devine to travel onto his property to check things out. Unfortunately, with areas north of us experiencing 3 inches of rain in just one day, as the water trickles down, we might see a different story play out, but for now, we are ok down here in south Georgia.

~Dewdrop

Update on Valdosta flooding and honeymoon: stage 1

Yesterday, you know, on my very busy day back to work after using up my vacation time with the wonderful honeymoon... there were 4 tornado reports within 50-100 miles of my location, in Sylvester, Fitzgerald, Baxley and Donald, GA. I watched the cell in question as it raced across the southern part of the state, maintaining an excellent radar presence, all along the way. Arm-chair chasing can be fun, but one of these days... You can click on the graphic above for the full-report.

Explaining the Dewvoid: The Dewvoid is a made-up word, which was created by my storm chasing friends. As a storm chaser, it is necessary for there to be severe weather, which to chase. Unfortunately, there never seems to be any chase-able weather where I am, even when expected, or if there is severe (chase-able) weather, I am not able or in a position to be able to chase it (as was the case yesterday). My nickname is Dewdrop. Where I am is usually devoid of weather... hence, DEWVOID.


I want to share with you some pictures taken by my friend Haley Hyatt, as she explored one of the hardest hit areas during the flood in Valdosta last week. She actually took these shots after the flood had crested (and started to recede), and you can see where water lines are established about 4-6 feet above where the water level sits in these shots. There is a road under all that water.Businesses to the left and right of this shot were consumed by flood waters. The road remained closed for much of the period.Sludge left in the road after the water has receded some.Note the water line, a mere inches from the roof. This home has been destroyed.Thank you, Haley, for kindly offering permission for me to share these drammatic captures of a quite historic event. Historic indeed... I have heard that local officials are suggesting that this might exceed not just the 100 year, not the just the 500-year, but it might actually be a 1 in 700-year flood event. FEMA is currently working on re-drawing the flood plain, unless they have already finished. Amazing... devastating... a truly traumatic event for all those impacted. For local information about the Lowndes County, Georgia flooding, contact 229.671.2400. Unfortunately, water rise is expected once again, as a result of a drenching rain received here and especially to our north yesterday. Let's hope and pray that things stay manageable, which is the expectation at this time. We needed the rain, sadly though... not that much, that fast. Thanks to my friend, Melissa, for the rain data from CoCoRaHS!

Onto a happier subject though... It's time for the description of stage one of our honeymoon. We stayed at a charming Bed & Breakfast in Dahlonega with an amazing sunset view of the mountains. The breakfasts, the view and the wonderful care offered by our kind hostess, made it an incredible stay. We LOVED it! We spent our full day hiking around the area, going to a highly recommended waterfall (imagine that) which was co-located with an Army Ranger training base. As we drove through a rumbling creek (which was safe to cross and was actually included in the directions as part of the road we were traveling on), we passed a fleet of soldiers gearing up for departure on one of two helicopters. I don't know if it was an exercise or an actual deployment, but it was cool to say the least. We hiked the mountain-side to an amazing falls... the falls at West Fork on Montgomery Creek (I've linked it to Jack Anthony's picture of the same falls). When the falls came visible through the trees,... we knew that we had no choice but to climb down for a better view, despite the less-than-perfect-for-the-climb-shoes I was wearing.It was well worth it, and as always with us... a great adventure. Later, we climbed up Cooper Gap, wishing we had some of those hiker poles... we're only slightly out-of-shape... cough, cough, but came across this approximately 5' black racer, sunning himself on a downed tree along the way. The view was spectacular, but hazy, so the pictures didn't really come out very well.Basically, our Dahlonega segment was about relaxing by the fire and just enjoying the magnificent scenery.

I'll cover stage 2 tomorrow.

There have been 3 tornado reports on the western central peninsula of Florida today.

Have a fabulous day.
~Dewdrop

Moderate to major flooding in Valdosta continues...

On account of my wonderful gtb becoming my groom this weekend, I am out of the area, so I don't have current pictures of the flooding in the Valdosta area, but I have gotten a bunch of reports. Many of the roads are already closed, due to moderate to major flooding and concerns about the integrity of the bridges over rushing water. Gornto Road, Troupville Road, Skipper Bridge Road, Highway 84, Highway 133, Shiloh Road, Park Lane, Meadowbrook Lane, Franklin Bridge Road and many, many more are closed. I know a part of I75 was actually covered in water on the way up. Unfortunately, I just got the CodeRED message while on the side of a mountain that water rise is expected to continue and gain another foot or two in water raise... and with upcoming storms this afternoon and evening, they are expecting another inch or two of rain fall... Many, many homes are flooded. People are being told to evacuate to the emergency shelter at Mathis Auditorium before water levels rise to dangerous levels at your home. Do not drive on flooded roads!!!! If you stay in your home past flooding, you endanger rescue crews. People are being advised not to travel if possible. I have never seen it this bad or heard of it ever being this bad. A State of Emergency has been declared by the governor. If you have any information to share, please share it in comments or feel free to email the to me to post at dewdrop_in_sga@yahoo.com.

Link to Flood Warning
Road Closure Article
Overcome by Water article

I'll be posting wedding and waterfall shots soon. Meanwhile, the Dewvoid holds strong presenting tornadoes back home while I am away... and the "severe event" once expected here has fizzled to a baby squall line.

TORNADO REPORTS
4 E ALAPAHA BERRIEN GA
POSSIBLE BRIEF TORNADO TOUCHDOWN JUST WEST OF WILLACOOCHEE. (TAE)

WILLACOOCHEE ATKINSON GA
A STORM SPOTTER REPORTED A POSSIBLE TORNADO ON THE GROUND NEAR HIGHWAY 90 JUST SOUTH OF WILLACOOCHEE. NO FURTHER CONFIRMATION OR DAMAGE HAS BEEN REPORTED. (JAX)

1 N BLACKSHEAR PIERCE GA
A STORM SPOTTER REPORT OF A POSSIBLE TORNADO IN BLACKSHEAR...60 TO 70 MPH WINDS AND DIME SIZE HAIL. (JAX)

When Dewdrop's away...


Link to slideshow of flooded areas on VDTimes site (includes descriptions of locations and days)

Link to aerial views of Valdosta area during flood posted in VD Times article.

Latest on flooding/recovery info from Lowndes County Emergency Management:

From today at the Lowndes County SITREP meeting:

1. Valdosta has created a flood information hotline 671-2400. Personnel
can call to report damage, inquire about school and road closures.

2. Florida State Patrol is expected to close parts of I-10 near the Suwannee
River as the crest moves south. Personnel traveling west of I-75 on I-10
should call the flood information center before committing to any travel.

3. Roll off dumpsters have been placed in flooded areas for home owner use.
If there are no dumpster, personnel should move trash to the right of way
for disposal.

4. Gornto Road remains closed, but Cat Creek and Skipper Bridge are expected
to reopen today.

5. Media Comm is flooded out and many customers are without cable, internet
and phone service. Service should be out through the Phase I exercise.

6. Valdosta Emergency Managers have asked that personnel do not
"self-deploy" to aid in the cleanup efforts. All volunteers should call the
information hotline to sign up for coordinated recovery teams.

7. As flood waters recede more bridges and roads will reopen as they are
inspected. Please continue to observe the posted closing and DO NOT drive
around any barricades.

8. Free water testing is available from the city of Valdosta for personnel
with wells. Call the information center for further instructions. The city
water is safe as the aquifer is over 200' deep and the water is continually
being monitored

~Dewdrop

Moderate MAJOR Flooding in Lowndes County, Georgia

(The above is of the same house [across from my wonderful gtb's parents] I captured the other day with the shed in the backyard flooded. The water has risen drastically with all the rain since Saturday.) What a day yesterday was... thunderstorms, literally all day and into the night... tornado warned cells racing toward my county at about 65 mph... and the rain. As it turned out, the only event here was a severe warned squall line that carried 45 mph gust, torrential downpours, and frequent lightning. When I arrived home, my power was out, as well as most of the northeast part of the county. I had heard bogus reports of a tornado spotted, but with it dark and as horrendous as the rain was (not to mention the lack of signature on radar), they wouldn't have seen it. I heard unconfirmed reports of trees down. My yard looked like a pond, and I live on a high spot in my neighborhood. Given the time and the fact that I had an errand that had to be taken care of, I took the long way (the road between me and where I was going was closed because of high water at the bridge), and got Mini-Dew some dinner since I can't cook without power. I spoke with the emergency manager, who informed me that the power outage was an open circuit that was being looked at... and headed home. During that 1 1/2 hour period, water rose over the main road leading to my house, causing flash floods. When I drove by this spot, the water level sat halfway up these vehicles. I could still see the road clearly... in fact, I hadn't realized it was water over the road until I was right on top of it. If ever you come upon a flooded area, turn around; don't drown.

My office works to collect relevant data to attach to geography. Yesterday, they were working in conjunction with the emergency manager to map the rise in water since the high water marks, all over town where flooding was occurring. The flood forecast, at that time was minor, and we were trying to make the case that the flooding was more significant than minor. Because of CoCoRaHS, I was brought into it... [This is not a boat ramp... this is the neighbor's driveway and back yard.]

In a collaborative effort between the emergency manager, GIS, CoCoRaHS (that's me) and the Hydrologist at the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, the flood status level raised. For some reason, initially, the expectation was that yesterday, the water had crested at about 19.5', but after getting 4.06" of rainfall (just here) through yesterday and last night... with the current observed stage at 22.9' (which is almost 10' over flood stage), the expectation is that the Withlacoochee River will crest tomorrow at 24.9', which will put the water level of the river at the bridge height on the road I had to go around; however, some water levels are already above the road... Bottom line is, today, the flood warning has been changed from minor to moderate in severity.

....FORECAST FLOODING CHANGED FROM MINOR TO MODERATE SEVERITY FOR THE WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER NEAR VALDOSTA AFFECTING LOWNDES COUNTY ...MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND EXPECTED TO CONTINUE...

...THE COLD FRONT HAS MOVED THROUGH THE REGION. SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN FELL ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. THIS RAIN WILL MAKE ITS WAY TO THE RIVERS. THIS WILL CAUSE THE RIVERS TO CONTINUE TO RISE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS...

WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER VALDOSTA FL STAGE: 13' OBSERVED STAGE: 22.9' (FRI 05 AM) SATURDAY: 24.9' SUNDAY: 22.9' MONDAY: 22.0' TUESDAY: 20.6'

Mission accomplished.

9:58AM: Flood forecast upgraded to major.

...FORECAST FLOODING CHANGED FROM MODERATE TO MAJOR SEVERITY FOR THE WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER NEAR VALDOSTA AFFECTING LOWNDES COUNTY ...MODERATE FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MAJOR FLOODING IS FORECAST...

WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER VALDOSTA FL STAGE: 13' OBSERVED STAGE: 23.6' (FRI 09 AM) SATURDAY: 25.1' SUNDAY: 24.3' MONDAY: 23.4' TUESDAY: 22.5' WEDNESDAY: 21.4'

... and rain forecasted for Sunday!

Have a great day! Stay dry!
~Dewdrop

Flooding in South Central Georgia

I drove around yesterday after my trip to the grocery store, just to see how things were going with the river. I still had groceries in my vehicle, so I didn't do the exploration justice picture-wise, but clearly, the river has gone well beyond its banks. The area in this first pic is sort of a soggy wetlands area generally, but until this rain, it was completely dry. It lies on the outer edges of the Withlacoochie River as the river travels through the northern part of town. We remain under a flood warning.

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE...OR UNTIL THE WARNING IS CANCELLED.
* AT 4:30 PM SUNDAY THE STAGE WAS 20.8 FEET; FLOOD STAGE IS 13.0 FEET.

* MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND MINOR TO MODERATE FLOODING IS FORECAST.

* FORECAST...THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 20.9 FEET BY AFTER MIDNIGHT TOMORROW THEN BEGIN FALLING.

* IMPACT...AT 22.5 FEET...SEVERAL ROADS GO UNDER WATER. WATER INTRUDES INTO BACKYARDS OF FOLKS ON BF'S PARENTS' STREET (that is not what the guys said, but the road names mean nothing to most of y'all). ADDITIONAL ROADS DOWNSTREAM MAY BE AFFECTED.

The above picture shows the river creeping up into the cemetery that sits on relatively high land along the river. Usually, you don't see any water here, at all. The banks lie well within the tree line in normal conditions.The above picture shows how far the water has traveled beyond the bridge. Usually, the water only travels under a portion of the bridge here.

Looks like the SPC has placed my neck of the woods in yet another slight risk area for severe thunderstorms for tomorrow. The system will be passing through Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama today, and the remnants of that should inpact me tomorrow, mostly as a lined out squall (shocking, I know), but some discrete cells could form ahead of the line, especially considering the strength of the deep-layer shear forecasted, which would suggest a potential for rotating storms... supercells and bow echoes. I will keep an eye on that to see if a chasetunity develops.

As I have already shared, bf is on a trip to New Orleans. During the course of his trip, he has been sending pics to share his experiences... One pic that he shared was a sign the contained "The Creed of the Sociopathic Obsessive-Compulsive"... don't know why he'd think I would want to see that... (wink, wink). Anyways, here is the creed:

1) If anything can go wrong, FIX IT!
2) When given a choice, take both.
3) Multiple projects lead to multiple successes.
4) If you can't beat them, join them. Then beat them.
5) Do it by the book--but be the author of the book.
6) Start at the top, then work your way up.
7) If you can't win, change the rules.
8) If you can't change the rules, then ignore them.
9) When forced to compromise, ask for more.
10) If it's worth doing, it's got to be done RIGHT NOW.
11) Perfection is NOT optional.
12) Patience is a virtue, but persistence to the point of success is a blessing.
13) Don't walk when you can run.
14) When faced without a challenge, make one.
15) "No" simply means to begin again at one higher level.
16) When in doubt: THINK!
17) The squeaky wheel gets replaced.
18) Bureaucracy is a challenge to be conquered with a righteous attitude, a tolerance for stupidity, and a bulldozer when necessary.
19) The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live.

Can't see how that would apply to me... lol He also sent a cool pic of the statue of Andrew Jackson with the St. Louis Cathedral in the background that I thought was pretty cool. He has sent some other pics, but in the interest of keeping the rating on this blog family oriented, I shall refrain from posting those. lol. He'd probably have better pics to share if his camera wasn't stolen the first night... along with his Garmin. Welcome to New Orleans, right?

Now, I saw on Katney's Kaboodle site, an Odd Shots Challenge that I thought was pretty cool, so here is my contribution to that. This is a shot of my fire pit on New Year's... don't know what they were burning, but firefighters were standing by. To participate in this cool challenge, click on the "Odd Shots" icon.Toodles,
~Dewdrop