Well, here we go again. Another winter and another flood. Claire and I went out for a little while today to see just where we could get to and how bad the flooding was this time around. This winter, compared to the flooding in December 2007, the water seems to have come in more slowly (last time a dike broke and the water just rushed into Chehalis) and people appear to have taken the warnings to heart and gotten out while they could. I think that the situation is infuriating. You don't hear people asking why or demanding solutions. And that is exactly what I want for this community - answers and solutions. I can't imagine how communities here in Lewis County can keep rebuilding and finding ways to survive these yearly floods. We are once again cut off from the remainder of the I-5 corridor by freeway closures to the north and to the south of us.
Of course, there are businesses that may be benefiting from the isolation. The Safeway parking lot has been packed for two days - with the closure of Fullers it is the only grocery store accessible during flooding. Claire and I ate lunch at the Chehalis Deli today and we certainly weren't alone. I think all of the likewise flood-gawkers had detoured there to get a warm sandwich and a cup of soup. The Deli was packed and every table was occupied by people talking about the flooding. It is a sad source of conversation, especially in these dismal economic times.
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