That's Just in Movies

Andy Dufresne - who crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side.(Red narrating)

Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption.

I realize he meant metaphorically clean, a new beginning and all, but after donning rubber boots too many times in the last week, I have to say that nothing comes out clean once through a river of shit. 

Rubber boots, gloves, and a mask are a must when dealing with floodwater.

The historic flooding of the Susquehanna River and surrounding creeks last week led to over 20 waste water treatment plants shutting down throughout NY and PA.  Those plants pumped raw sewage into the river during the worst of the flooding.  Combine that with all the chemicals from flooded homes, cars, and businesses, and you have some toxic, nasty, sludge swirling in and around people's homes.

Twin Orchards subdivision on Monday, a day after the river was supposedly back in it's banks.  The rain ended Thursday morning.

Toxic poop water claiming photo albums and teddy bears,

clothing and furniture,

and entire homes.

This home was one of the many condemned for structural damage.



Some homes were flooded, not just in the basement and first floors, but into their second floors, too.

That plant isn't a silver variety, it's caked with silt.

 Most schools were back in session yesterday, with some more back in session today.  Many families are not yet back in their homes, and some who are back home will not have power for days.  It's heartwarming to see the way the community has pulled together.  The Vestal Teachers Association is running a distribution center for those in need stocked with donated cleaning supplies, toiletries, bedding, and clothing.

Before school was back in session you could find roaming groups of teens, looking to help drag things out to the curb.  SB's soccer league is collecting equipment and clothing for the players affected by the flooding, and WD's wrestling team is pulling together to help a teammate who's family lost everything.  I've been helping out everywhere I can, and it's been exhausting both physically and emotionally, but at the end of the night, I still get to come home to my warm bed in my dry home.  Not everyone is so lucky.  If you'd like to help, please visit the Southern Tier chapter of the American Red Cross and click the donate button.

Thanks for popping in and keeping this area in your thoughts and prayers.  I promise to be back to crafting and recipe posts soon.