What a difference a few days make!! Someone must have been doing rain dances. (Ann Burton?) NANCY THOMPSON BAKER called a short time ago to tell me how much rain they are getting. The last time she checked they had received 9 inches in the past couple of days. And it's still raining. There's lots of area flooding, but the good news is the lakes are filling up for the first time in years. NANCY said the torrential rains are coming down all over the Concho Valley. She stated that as many as 100 cars had to be "rescued" from flooded streets in Midland. (Nancy has been known to exaggerate. ;-) Maybe you Midland/Odessa residents can verify the conditions there.)
These photos are from the Ballinger online newspaper. Go to http://ballingernews.com/, click on Front Page, and you can read about the rain and view 42 photos taken in the area. The Indian Friend statue by Hugh Campbell looks a lot different than it did a week ago, doesn't it?
Elm Creek picnic area at City Park
Elm Creek at Ballinger City Park
So many parts of Texas have been suffering severe drought conditions that, even with the flooding, the rains are most welcome and the answer to many prayers. We here in the Hill Country have also suffered from the drought. We have been having steady, gentle rain off and on again since yesterday. I'm not sure how much has fallen so far, but the Highland Lakes are in desperate need of water. Our water supply for Burnet has been Buchanan Lake until recent months, when the City had to resort to well water (which is extremely hard water) due to the low lake level. This area has been prone to severe flooding in years past. I hope we aren't due for that to happen again soon!
I feel like Goldilocks. I don't want the lack of rain, but then again I don't want the floods. I want the rainfall to be "just right"!
Replenishing critical water supplies is what I have to say is really good stuff happening!
Peace and love,
Marilyn
UPDATE AT 5:15PM
NANCY just reported that the Elm Creek Dam in City Park has burst. Authorities have ordered evacuation of the part of Ballinger called "the flats", south of the highway ..
SECOND UPDATE FROM NANCY AT 6:15PM
"Okay, dam did not break..evacuation cancelled as river crested, so people told to go home (from Community Center)."
Spoke to my brother just a few minutes ago. He says there is widespread flooding in the whole west. Ballinger did get at least 9 inches, Abilene got over 6 and Odessa and Midland are having to shut down oil wells and gas wells due to well sites being under water. I will keep on dancing until all the lakes are up!!!! San Angelo has not reported the inches yet. John says the streets (in San Angelo) are ankle deep!!!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep sending the blog,girl. We really appreciate your cards, letters, and news!!!!
Ann and the Ballinger grad.
That is terrific news for these areas of Texas that have been so rain critical. I know they are truly grateful.
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