Nebraska Strong.
Key will tell her story from her eyes but it was a VERY scary time here with MANY - MANY people in the state of Nebraska losing their houses and businesses in the flood. Thankfully, with all of the local, county and state workers along with many volunteers people were able to evacuate to safety. So many people lost everything. Businesses were washed away and ruined. Many farmers lost their livestock and their fields are under water. Nebraska will recover. A SPECIAL THANK YOU needs to go out to all the people who stood up and made us NEBRASKA STRONG !!
Key's Turn
Let me tell you about the GREAT St. Paddy's Day FLOOD !
It all started on Friday March 15, 2019. Mom and Dad were gone most of the day. Avalon and I could look out the window and see the water rising up on the dike from the river. I was starting to get really nervous when I looked out the window and saw a police officer knocking on our door telling us to get ready to evacuate ? I tried to answer the door and talk to him and tell him our parents were gone but like so many humans he did not speak puppy talk. I wanted to tell Mom and Dad what the officer said so would they came home right away. They did come home soon after and I was glad !
When Mom and Dad came home we walked over to the dike to see the river. It was close to the top of the dike. Mom made us stay on our leashes because the rushing water could wash us away if we got too close. I have never seen the river or lake so high up. We came home after our walk and started thinking about what we would do if we had to evacuate our home. Mom brought lots of pictures and videos's up out of the basement to take out if we needed to leave asap. Avalon and I made sure we had our supplies. We went to bed that night not knowing what our village would look like in the morning. I was thankful Dad got up during the night to check on everything.
When Mom and Dad came home we walked over to the dike to see the river. It was close to the top of the dike. Mom made us stay on our leashes because the rushing water could wash us away if we got too close. I have never seen the river or lake so high up. We came home after our walk and started thinking about what we would do if we had to evacuate our home. Mom brought lots of pictures and videos's up out of the basement to take out if we needed to leave asap. Avalon and I made sure we had our supplies. We went to bed that night not knowing what our village would look like in the morning. I was thankful Dad got up during the night to check on everything. 
On Saturday morning the river water started to come over the levees and flood into the lake. Dad and Mom watched along with us from our deck. Dad went out and tried to tie down some stuff on our beach. He said the water was sooooo cold and icky he was not going to go get anything else. Dad was soooo cold he was shaking so Mom put him in bed with heating pads. We all continued to watch the flood water rise. It was getting scary. One of Mom's friends called and asked if they could bring their car over so it would not flood. They live on the low side of the lake. They did and a little while later Mom went over to their house to help them get out. The water was rising fast now !!
I was scared when Mom left because I though she might not get out but all was OK. She along with our walking buddies - Peter the Golden, Pam his Mom and her hubby all came over. We all watched the flood so if we needed to evacuate asap we could. Later in the day they shut the water off and then after that the power went off. Some really BIG trucks came around and did that. There were all kinds of people trying to load up and get as much stuff out of their houses as they could before the water flooded their homes. I could see the cars and trucks driving by from the window. Finally the police officers ordered the low lying areas to evacuate and closed off our roads. We live on the high side of the lake so we had a choice to stay but most of the Village left. Dad, Mom and Peter's parents helped us set up our generator so we could have power to a few lamps and the TV so we could watch the flood news. Later they left to stay with friends who did not live at the lake. I kind of wanted to go with them but Mom told me we would be safe and if we needed to leave we would.
On Sunday Mom and Dad left to go over to Grandma K's house to get water and take showers. Mom and dad moved the office into the kitchen so they could work. Mom also did some ironing for Dad which seemed odd in the kitchen. We did just about everything in the kitchen because that was where the power from the generator was. Thankfully Avalon and my food station is right off the kitchen so dinner was not a problem for us. We even got bottled water too.
On Monday Dad stayed home from work and we went and got more water and took showers at the YMCA. The police were guarding the village so you had to show ID to be able to drive around. I hoped my dog tags would be OK. It was getting really cold in the house without heat but a nice neighbor brought over a heater and Mom could finally take her gloves off. We watched TV and it was so sad to see all of the flooding that surrounded us. People and puppies lost everything. We were lucky to live up on the hill and did not get the flooding everyone else got, but just go a few houses from us either way and they were not so lucky. Peter - my puppy friend's house was really flooded !!
For the next couple of days we opened our house to anyone who was here coming back to their house to get warmed up and have a cup of coffee or charge up their phone since we had a generator. Mom went to Peter's house and helped with the flooding in their house but Key and I were not allowed to go. Mom said we don't always listen like we should and she was afraid we would go into the flooded water. Later in the week Mom helped with the Salvation Army who came out to our Village to provide meals, water and supplies. Mom took her bike and went out to tell people about them plus hand out something that kills germs on your hands. Had a break down on her bike but a good neighbor helped her out.
Dad took us over to the Salvation Army station one day and showed us the big equipment they were using to help with the flood. We stayed and waited until the food truck arrived for dinner. They only serve people food - No puppy food so Avalon and I had to wait until we got home fordinner. There were a lot of
people there and even some other puppies. I wanted to play but Mom said people were trying to eat and pick up supplies and she did want me to run into or knock them over playing. It has been a long time since Avalon and I have gotten to go for a free run. The dike is closed off and that is where we get to play. I sure hope it opens up again soon. Mom said I have been a pickle cooped up in the house. Not sure what that means but I can tell you it is sure boring around the house.Mom said it will take some time for our neighborhood to recover and I wish I could help out more. Below is a video of the terrible flooding.
We are Nebraska Strong and Village Strong !!
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| Village Boy Scout Troop helping out ! |
