I might add for those not familiar, we live in a "Desert", this is totally
uncommon weather for us as you read this.
Well, since I love to fly fish, maybe I should start building boats,
(possibly barges or Arks), rather than fixing airplanes. The first
thunderstorm hit Friday night about 10 pm and dropped about 1.1" of rain
before sunrise. That soaked the property and the rest of the valley pretty
good, the drive was slick and muddy but passable using caution early in the
morning. Light drizzle mixed with heavier rain through the day yesterday
soaking the ground even further from the mountains 70 miles to the west on
east into Texas. About 4 yesterday afternoon the real fun started. The first
of the big storms hit, these have spawned many funnels, some hitting the
ground across the valley and up to 3 inches of rain an hour from some of
them. There were times that we had Niagara falls coming off the roof eves.
We have several leaks that have appeared that at this time, (one between
myself and the keyboard), I will not even conjecture from where or why, (but
my "Have to fix" list just got some new things added to the top of it's list
when the weather clears). We can bucket the drips but other problems are of
concern now. Went to let the cats out last night about 9 and found the front
door swollen tight to the point that it will "Not" open. Wound up having to
put them out a window, (will have to work on it at first light and see if we
can get it opened). During the lightning flashes last night all we could see
was about 4"'s of standing water across the yard and the full length of out
800' dirt drive.
I managed to get out to the shop and check it about 10 last night. There
is about 3" of water standing in the floor, all the machines and major tools
are still high and dry for the time being. Seems the wind and hail did some
damage to a couple parts of the roof and some leaks have formed in some
currently non critical places, (at least for now), and the floor is flooded
due to water rising, not so much leaking in. But it will prevent working
with power tools and may limit work some till the water recedes and it dries
up a bit, (LOT).
The thing is that this morning it is still raining hard to moderate
here. Still have leaks and the buckets, pails and cans need constant
attention. Heavy rain is forecast off and on till Monday afternoon, and rain
in general till Wednesday. With the time change it is still dark outside so
I have no idea what it looks like. Have noticed this morning that several
trucks on our road are going a lot slower than usual, meaning that the road
is probably starting to flood. Most assuredly the low water crossing to the
highway is flooded and if Lakewood road is flooding we may be cut off from
getting out soon. The last time they flooded we were here 2 days before we
could get to town. As it is we can not get down our drive so the low water
crossing and road don't really mater.
I was listening to the scanner earlier and Rocky Arroyo was flowing as
well as South, middle and North Seven Rivers Arroyo's along with 4 mile
draw. These are the main drainages from the mountains to the west to the
river to the east. They run from the south of us to just north of us with
the Seven rivers draws converging almost due west of us about 1.5 miles.
Numerous reports of roads being closed in Carlsbad and Artesia due to
flooding with more to come.
Well, I have rambled on enough, just a bit bored and tired and thought
maybe right a report for my friends. Need to dump buckets, cans and pots and
see how the leaks are doing. When the sun comes up will see what the outside
world looks like and start formulating what I will have to do to fix
everything and what it may cost.
Have a good one folks, keep us in your prayers and think, "Sunshine"
Jimi
