The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up

             Not only was yesterday St. Patrick’s Day but the 183^rd anniversary of the Relief Society.  Leaders received notification of this event as early as January. 

 

On Sunday we were supposed to congregate together and watch the broadcast. At first it was going to be on a stake level and then it was changed to wards.  So in addition to the broadcast meeting, Diane had called a last minute meeting for the presidency as there were some things that couldn’t wait for our next scheduled meeting (which honestly I don’t believe was scheduled with a specific date).

         Diane and Angie had each brought their lunch as it didn’t seem convenient for each of them to drive all the way back to their homes and back again.  Melanie had made a large pan of brownies (which could be cut into 48 if we had the turnout) and we had started presidency meeting 20 – 30 minutes after church ended.   

            The weekend provided severe weather for much of the nation.  Douglas County was no exception.  Roseburg was slammed much harder than Myrtle Creek.  The water was high – higher and faster than I’ve ever seen it. Our meeting was interrupted by individuals who had concern about the weather, by Douglas County emergency, and the stake strongly suggesting we cancel the meeting. 

 

By that time we figured it would only be the four of us who showed up anyway.  I told Jaime I would bring her home at least one brownie but ended up with almost half the pan (Melanie had cut about 32 quite large pieces for everybody to take home).  Each of us used our phones to text sisters in the ward to let them know the meeting had been cancelled.  We put a note on the door just in case – but honestly I don’t think anyone showed.  Some of the roads had actually closed due to spillage which I had never seen here in Oregon.

Almost everybody in South Umpqua lives near water – if not the river itself than a creek or a stream or an accidental water fall (see this post) or pond.  though yesterday they all appeared like rapid flowing rivers.  My daughter received a bunch of videos from one of her friends.  I have screenshot a few.

forks into main street and riverside

taken from Riverside

entrance to Evergreen Park March 16, 2025

Evergreen Park July 2016

Evergreen Park March 16, 2025

when the creek was at a normal level in 2017

Evergreen Park October 2017

Before our meeting the rain had turned to snow.  

Jaime did not have to go into work on Sunday. 

 It all seemed to vanish by yesterday morning.  At least from my perspective.  Jaime did end up going into work yesterday. The waters are still high but no spillage.