Author Topic: Washed Away (Read 2918 times)

Randy Powell · « **on:** December 05, 2007, 09:24:46 AM »

Well, we aren't washed away yet. Helps when you build on high ground. It's been pretty wet, windy and wild around here. Winds well over a hundred miles an hour on the coast, not nearly that bad around our house, though they did get up to 45 or so. Our normally placid little creek (a trickle really) was raging with 6 feet of water. Overwhelmed the culvert under the drive but didn't blow out this time. Just a large lake behind it and a decent water fall coming out of the culvert on the other side. Areas west of us and south of us really got hammered with major roads washed out and a lot of damage to property. Also a lot of collasped bridges. Some towns cut off entirely with all access washed out. Northwest Oregon wasn't much better off and worse in some cases.

Remember that we get a lot of rain and most of the roads and drainage systems are built to handle a lot of water. But this was really something. Not often that you see 8 or 10 inches of rain over just a few hours.

But we made it through with little damage. Other's weren't so lucky.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #1 on:** December 05, 2007, 09:43:43 AM »

So good to hear you and yours are okay. Still bad news with the weather and all. Guess the mountains kept the freezing rain from getting eastern Kansas. Hope things keep looking up, DOC Holliday

Bill Little · « **Reply #2 on:** December 05, 2007, 10:08:19 AM »

Randy,

I am really happy to hear that you have not sufferd any damage! Hopefully it will remain that way.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #3 on:** December 05, 2007, 10:26:16 AM »

Randy,
good to see you surviving, I have been watching this from the eastern side of the state. News media is making it out ot be the second version of the 40 days. GOod youbuilt on higher ground.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #4 on:** December 05, 2007, 10:29:08 AM »

Man, brings meaning to the old phrase, "Good Lord willin and the creek don't rise!"

Sounds like you are OK so far... GOOD LUCK to ya!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2007, 10:51:35 AM »

>>News media is making it out ot be the second version of the 40 days. <<

In some areas it was. Weirdly, just north of us near an area called Chico, they lost a bridge (supports washed out under a torrent of water) and the town was completely cut off for a day or so since that was the only road into town. The National Guard came in and plopped down a combat bridge over the river (that had receeded somewhat at that point) and they were able to haul supplies in. It will be months before it is permanently repaired. The whole thing is just gone. That's only about 6 miles from me. But we didn't even lose power. It was that sort of weird deal. The creek under my driveway is still raging, but it's backed off enough that it isn't overflowing the drive anymore (man I'm glad we put in the bigger culvert (40") the last time it washed out and put in concrete buttresses). Just south of us in an area called Wauna, an entire hillside overlooking Henderson Bay washed out taking a half dozen pretty expensive homes with it. The folks that were hurt the worst are the ones that built houses on nice, picturesque steams or overlooking water views. Nice building sites, but susceptable to bad weather.

The roads are certainly interesting lately.

Shultzie · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2007, 11:32:52 AM »

Quote from: Randy Powell on December 05, 2007, 10:51:35 AM

>>News media is making it out ot be the second version of the 40 days. <<

In some areas it was. Weirdly, just north of us near an area called Chico, they lost a bridge (supports washed out under a torrent of water) and the town was completely cut off for a day or so since that was the only road into town. The National Guard came in and plopped down a combat bridge over the river (that had receeded somewhat at that point) and they were able to haul supplies in. It will be months before it is permanently repaired.
The roads are certainly interesting lately.

Randy....Wow! What n up date!
Many years ago....1957 to be exact. I joined the Oregon National Guard...in Tillamook. In those days THE NATIONAL GUARD meant just that "NATIONAL GUARD!" not IRAQITY' GUARD!!
We were an ENGINEERING OUTFIT...WITH FULL ARSENDAL OF BRIDGE TRUCKS..EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT...BIG BACK LOADERS, EARTH MOVING EQUIPMENT, HELICOPTERS FOR PLUCKING FOLKS OUT OF HARMS WAY...AND TO BRING IN SUPPLIES...

NOT ANY MORE....

I just heard from one of my old Tillamook buddies who works for the Headlight Herald Newpaper...U WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW LITTLE HELP FOLKS RECIEIVED AFTER THEIR 129 MPH WINDS AND HUGE DUMPS OF RAIN DID THEIR DAMAGE! My twin sister lives in Nehalem, just a few miles from Cannon Beach and Seaside. Although their home is on a hill in a windshadow from the beach...the entire main street was totally flooded.

JUST A SPECIAL VOTE OF THANKS TO OUR BELOVED LEADER "BIG TEXAS DADDY BUSH!" IRAQ IS FAR AND AWAY A MORE IMPORTANT ASS'HINDMENT' FOR OUR OWN SAFTEY AND NATIONAL GUARD!
GO AHEAD AND MAKE MY DAY....U BUSH WACKERS!!!

Randy Powell · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2007, 11:47:50 AM »

Don,

Yea, I was surprised that they could get a temp bridge out to Chico. I just checked the newsfeed and I was wrong. It wasn't the National Guard, it was the Kitsap road guys USING a National Guard combat bridge. Wonder how they worked that out? Hmmm..

Hey, you guys over in the Haaber are in pretty low lying ground. How'd you do?

Shultzie · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2007, 01:50:14 PM »

THANKS RANDY...
We made out pretty good here in Gig Harbor for the most part..(cause both poop and water run down hill and I live up on top of Lybecker hill. However the Sunrise Park road just 1.5 miles from my house---had a really bad landslide over the road and blocked all until Pierce County crew saved the day and dug em' out.
About those Big live saving bridge trucks...
I would bet most of those huge BIG RIG BRIDGE TRUCKS ARE ALL IN IRAQ..... When I first joined that Engineering outfit I WAS BLOWN AWAY AT HOW FAST WE COULD DROP DOWN A BRIDGE and also just how fast we could pull them out...(however they would only let us newbe's drive those smaller 10 ton bridge trucks to the locations because it takes lots of time, n' talent to learn how to work them. I HATE TO SEE SO MANY TALENTED FOLKS WASTING THEIR TIME IN A COUNTRY THAT (for the most part) APPEARS THAT THEY JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT THEIR HUMAN-KIND and would rather CLEANSE EACH OTHER AND THEIR BROTHERS OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH.
THANKS BUSH for making this world what it is today?

? I can't belive how I must have gotten out of bed this morning with such a wrinkle in my skivvvieeees."

Bill Adair · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2007, 03:40:01 PM »

Glad all you WA folks made it through the storm OK.

We were supposed to have company from Seattle today, but they cancelled when Amtrak, and I-5 both shut down completely.

Don, we frequently drive down to Nehalam, from Cannon Beach. There is a small general store there on the right side of the road, immediately after making the 90 degree right turn coming into town on 101. They have the best home made pies I've had in a long time, and are very reasonably priced.

We still don't know if our relatives home in Cannon Beach is OK. Last year we had 50 mph winds there, and trees were falling around their home. One snapped in two, and the top hit the ground so hard that it woke me up.

Shame about the biggest Sitka Spruce in the state, being broken off about 75 feet from the ground.

Bill

Larry Wong · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2007, 03:53:34 PM »

Randy
I was going to ask how you were , but when I read this I was glad that your OK , Best of luck to you and family. will pray for you to keep safe.

Larry Cunningham · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2007, 04:31:06 PM »

Rain..

What's it like, Randy?

It's dry as a popcorn fart here in southern New Mexico, pecan trees are popping suckers
and nuts are fermenting in the shell, for lack of a hard freeze.

(El Paso and Hatch areas had flooding last year, nearly washed away..)

Glad you and yours are OK. Keep the water from dripping on any models, Randy!

Best,

L.

"Rain on a tin roof sounds like a drum. We're marching for freedom today-ay! So turn on
your headlights and sound your horn, if people get in the way." -Neil Innes

Jerry Eichten · « **Reply #12 on:** December 05, 2007, 05:50:05 PM »

Interstate 5 is under 10 feet of water near Chehalis, Washington. May be closed until the weekend. The suggested route between Portland and Seattle is through Yakima, turning a 3 hour drive into 7 hours.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #13 on:** December 05, 2007, 10:58:31 PM »

Jerry. I saw that on the news today, about split a gut, man talk about the scenic route huh! Hey if any of you westsiders have to go that route, your only another hour away from me stop in. My brother lives in Winlock, just a couple miles out of Chehalis, he is perfectly fine, some water, lots of rain but no flooding. My Daughter lives in Longview, same there, but she said the Walmart in Chehalis had 6 feet of water standing in the store.
Some way to prep for christmas huh?
My best wishes and prayers to those struck by this. I am blessed my family is safe as of this time.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #14 on:** December 05, 2007, 11:01:22 PM »

Jerry,

Yea, I was wondering how you folks near Portland were getting along. I heard you had some serious flooding your own selves. Well, the weather liars warned us it was going to be an interesting winter. Guess they got that one right.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #15 on:** December 06, 2007, 06:44:12 PM »

Bill Darkow is OK, but the circle at the Chehalis airport is under water. It's a nice circle. I stopped by there and put in a couple of flights on the way to Gilroy.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #16 on:** December 06, 2007, 08:01:21 PM »

Glad to see you haven't drown, Howard.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #17 on:** December 06, 2007, 08:02:31 PM »

This is from the Pullman website, Dec 4, 2007, so we can see how Mark is doing over in the Palouse country, aka Cougarville. Pretty!

Steve

Randy Powell · « **Reply #18 on:** December 06, 2007, 09:51:07 PM »

Yea, looked just like that here on 12/01. By Monday, the pineapple express started through and on came the wind (a lot) and the rain (even more). To think I thought all that snow was pretty.

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #19 on:** December 06, 2007, 10:17:24 PM »

Quote from: Howard Rush on December 06, 2007, 06:44:12 PM

Bill Darkow is OK, but the circle at the Chehalis airport is under water. It's a nice circle. I stopped by there and put in a couple of flights on the way to Gilroy.

I flew demo with Bill and others at the chehalis aiport this summer. Nice field to fly on and great air! The field can spoil you if you stop thiere to practice before the Fall Follies.

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #20 on:** December 06, 2007, 10:21:49 PM »

Steve,
yeah it actually got warmer after that, its up to low 30 s now,, was thinking about skis for my P-40 ARF, but now they would have to be water skis for all the rain and slush and of course there is that whole staying warm thing

nobler · « **Reply #21 on:** December 06, 2007, 10:39:37 PM »

Hi Schulze: Back when I was working for General Dynamics, I operated one of those bridges at Ft Drum NY, off of an M-48 tank chassis. It is pretty scary when you let the thing fold down right on top of you, even though it is not going to hit anything. We were thinking about doing a version on an M-1 chassis.

They also have double scissor versions, but these are rare. Currell

Will Hinton · « **Reply #22 on:** December 07, 2007, 07:42:13 PM »

I just have to tell you guys what a blessing it has been to follow this thread as you express your concern for each other, demonstrate your care for each other, and, in some ways, offer help. You are a great example the stunt community can observe and maybe feel pride in belonging to as a result. You have shown the rest of us the true spirit of Christmas in a time of great distress for your area and I thank each and every one of you for your wonderful example!
Blessings,
Will

Shultzie · « **Reply #23 on:** December 07, 2007, 09:18:21 PM »

Quote from: nobler on December 06, 2007, 10:39:37 PM

Hi Schulze: Back when I was working for General Dynamics, I operated one of those bridges at Ft Drum NY, off of an M-48 tank chassis. It is pretty scary when you let the thing fold down right on top of you, even though it is not going to hit anything. We were thinking about doing a version on an M-1 chassis.

They also have double scissor versions, but these are rare. Currell

Yes....pretty amazing inventions huh?...
Too many years ago, during my National Guard duties my first assignment with our brand new bridge truck was to construct a new temp. bridge to a girl scout camp just down the road from Ft. Rilea' just north of Seaside Ore.

My job that day was to work with an old D-8 Cat, grading an new approachment for the bridge...
ALL OF A SUDDEN the ground underneath me started to sink with me at the controls...

I can still see the Captain and my first Sarg' EYE BALL POPPIN....as I put that Big Cat nose down into the muck. I hung on and tried like ell to back out...but that just dung it in deeper and faster until that big Cummings sucked in too much saltwaaaata.....(after that I had KP and latrine duty for almost the rest of the year.

Bill Adair · « **Reply #24 on:** December 08, 2007, 04:04:36 AM »

Currell,

I used to drive M48 tanks at Holloman AFB NM, on the Maverick Missile test programs. The testing was actually conducted on the adjoining White Sands Missile Range.

My kids still talk about their joy rides in the tanks on weekends, before such fun activities were curtailed by the AF.

I wasn't aware of the bridge equipped M48, but they had the horsepower (1000) to haul most anything.

Bill

Shultzie · « **Reply #25 on:** December 08, 2007, 12:14:50 PM »

Quote from: Bill Adair on December 08, 2007, 04:04:36 AM

Currell,

I wasn't aware of the bridge equipped M48, but they had the horsepower (1000) to haul most anything.

Bill

It's been so long ago.....I too was amazed at just how far they have progressed since those early daze-days that I was in the Guard.
A few years later our unit morphed into a Engineering Net control with those big flyin twin bladed jolly green giants...etc.