I Feel Blind

Lake Greenwood, SC

 
Calm waters and a beautiful sunset. This is what is directly in front of me.....a far cry from what was going on just a few days ago. The waters in the upstate have started to recede. Recovery efforts are starting to take place. However, back home, they are bracing for what's coming. The first wave was the heavy rains and flash floods. The second wave is happening now. My hometown of Andrews is under secondary flood warnings. The waters from the upstate are headed for the sea by way of rivers that run through the Low Country. The already swollen rivers are at historical flood stages.

I feel blind.

I am still at the lake and can only imagine what my hometown is going through. I see a few pictures of the flood and homes that have succumbed to the rising waters and I hear the stories, but it's all so surreal. I want to be at home to see what's going on in my neighborhood.  But with all the road closures, it would be like traveling through a maze to get there. For safety's sake, it's better that I stay put for now.

 Johnson Swamp at Highway 521, Andrews, SC

Black River is still rising and spilling into the swamps and low lying areas around it. The water is expected to crest by tomorrow. A friend posted this on Facebook, today. This flooded road is only a mile or so from my home, which is still safe. As I've said, it's on higher ground.

My heart goes out to all those affected by the floods. I just wish I could be there.

Laurie

Summer of 1973

 

Black River - March 2012

 

I don't have a picture of Black River from the summer of 1973. This picture is of the newer bridge. The older one, the one during the summer of 1973, was replaced a few years ago. But, the view of this bridge would have been much the same. The only differences are that the water level was much higher and of course, the trees would have been greener.

 

I'm not sure what made me remember the summer of 1973. It could have been that sitting here listening to the rain coming down had something to do with it and the fact that The Weather Channel has been posting flood watches for our area on and off the last few days. But for whatever reason, the Summer of 1973 came to mind.

 

I was a young teenager.....just 13 years old and was spending the summer in Spartanburg with my Granny. Mama would call every few days and on this one particular day had bad news.

 

It was mid June and it had been raining for days. Black River was at flood stage. The river was running fast and no doubt had debris from the banks floating down river, as well. Two local Andrews teenagers had the idea to jump from the Black River bridge. As they dove from the bridge, a man standing nearby saw the two and immediately knew they were in trouble. He was able to help one of the teens to safety and attempted to save the second teen. He said that the water was running too fast and he was not able to save the boy. It is believed that when the teenager jumped, he may have hit some debris floating in the swollen river. It was days before they found his body.

 

I had to do some research and asked the question on Facebook, if anyone remembered the accident. Right away, a couple of friends told me who he was. His name was Tommy Young. He was only 15 years old.

 

Tommy was not the only one who lost their life that summer. The local newspaper reported that five had drowned in our county within a few days of Tommy.

 

Again, I'm not sure why I remembered this. But I'll just take the opportunity to say, freak accidents happen. Be careful out there. Stay alert and don't put yourself in dangerous places.

 

Have a safe and really fun summer!

 

Laurie