Devastation.

[sihayadesigns]

So. Ellicott City. The town we are (were? not sure yet) buying in. It's basically gone now.

Ellicott City Gets Rainfall Expected Only Once Every Few Hundred Years

This video was taken by the husband of the woman who owns Still Life Gallery, who was to carry my work. http://www.facebook.com/sara.arditti/posts/10154333435401753

A massive storm & resulting flood took out most of main street. These photos are 1/4 mile down from the house we're buying. It's utterly horrifying. All of the places we love are gone. One person has died, two more are missing. The photos of the wreckage look like a movie set, not a place I have spent so much time.

We won't really know the status of our home until mid-week. We might be able to get eyes on it before then, but obviously, there needs to be structural checks done. I keep telling myself that it was built in the 1800's and has a solid rock foundation. It survived Agnes and can survive this. But I've only been able to see pics from a few blocks up from us (totally fine) and a few blocks down (cars piled up on top of each other). So it's really anyone's guess.

Jason and I are just... kind of in shock. The rental company we're currently with has already started to show our unit pending our moving out at the end of August. If we can't buy this house, I don't know what happens next.

Going back and forth between numbness and crying jags. The cynical part of my brain says, "well, at least this is where rich, Republican-voting people live, so Hogan will be more motivated to care." He's already declared it a disaster area, and has requested FEMA assistance. Rebuilding will be slow, and many of those buildings may have to be torn down.

I really need 2016 to knock it the fuck off.

Comments

[kita0610.livejournal.com]

.... Holy shit, C, I don't even know what to say. This is utterly crazy and horrible. I hope... Well, I hope it he missing are found safe, and that t all works out for the best for your family.

[windiain.livejournal.com]

Yegods, I'm so sorry. The ONLY positive in all of this is that you weren't moved in already so your little family is physically okay. But this is just heartbreaking for you and especially everyone there who have all lost so much. :(

Yeah, 2016 beggars belief to be perfectly honest. :/

[heatherpantss.livejournal.com]

Wow, that is horrific! I hope your house is okay. Crazy how fast that happened.

[tamnonlinear.livejournal.com]

I couldn't make it through that video. Dear god. I know it's an old area and it's seen a lot, but every place has its breaking point and that was horrific flooding. Water is forceful and finds any crack. I hope your future home is okay, and I hope there is a lot of help coming for the region.

[sihaya09.livejournal.com]

FEMA is expected in today. It's looking like help will be mobilized very quickly, though Main Street will not be able to be truly reopened for 6 months to a year. At least 5 of the buildings have been condemned, and 20-30 have some structural damage.

[ringsandcoffee.livejournal.com]

Omg. I don't even have words. That video was terrifying. I hear about the rising rivers and the washes filling where I live, but I have never actually seen how fast the water moves. I hope your house is ok to live in.

[bunn.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, how utterly awful. That video is scary, how brave they were!

If it is at all reassuring, I live near a couple of old villages that have had catastrophic flooding events (Lynmouth and Boscastle) and it's surprising how many old buildings even right by the river have made it through. Fingers crossed that your new home will be one of them and that the flood disaster funds will come in quickly and get the place back on its feet.

[missrachael.livejournal.com]

I thought of you when I saw the videos this morning. It's one of my favorite places too. <3 <3 <3

That video is heartbreaking (and heroic).

[author-by-night.livejournal.com]

I just came here to see if you were okay!! (I wasn't sure whether you had moved in yet.) So glad you are, but I'm... wow, I don't even know. I love Ellicot City so much. *Hugs*

[miserywaterfall.livejournal.com]

Bloody hell, I am so sorry this is happening! Truly hoping everything is okay with your home-to-be <3 x

[willow-cabin.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry! :( I hope everything turns out to be okay with your house!

[ravensong.livejournal.com]

I hope your house is ok! I've seen the photos and video you posted on FB and it looks scary. Crossing all crossables that everything is ok for you.

[encarmencita.livejournal.com]

I am currently away from Maryland, but Ellicott City is the most enchanted place I know in that area. I loved it all year long, but particularly in fall and winter. The devastation is unreal. So many buildings on main street that had the original brick, stone, and design from more than a century ago are just scooped out.

I hope your house is okay, but I understand that in the context of this recently demolished townlet, it may not be the same home to you anymore, even if whole.

Wish I could be there to do more than put a couple of dollars in the GoFundMes.

I am so glad you guys and the cats are safe.

[sherrilina.livejournal.com]

As soon as I saw the news last night I thought of you! :( Crossing my fingers that the house you're buying is okay! *hug* (Side note: that's amazing it's from the 1800s!) Though even if your house is fine, it is such a shame that the community you are moving too is so damaged...I am sorry I haven't visited before. Hopefully they will be able to restore it just the way it was, that anything torn down will be rebuilt the same way, etc.

The cynical part of my brain says, "well, at least this is where rich, Republican-voting people live, so Hogan will be more motivated to care."

Ugh this is 100% accurate though, alas. >:( Hogan's despicable pettiness towards MoCo, PG, and Baltimore is a frequent source of aggravation for me. *sigh* If only the governor's race corresponded to presidential years.