Talk of 100 years’ floods and storms always reminds me of what is referred to as The Storm of 33. As it turns out however, there were several Storms of 33 including one that caused much damage in Texas (click here.)
The 33 Storm that hit us here in the County occurred in August, a little over one month after the Texas Storm. This is how Wiki described it:
I have done a couple previous Buzzyblog posts on the 33 Storm. For example, there was this one from 2017 where I embedded Mr. Bradburn’s account of how the storm impacted the First District of South County (click here.) Here is an excerpt from Mr. Bradburn’s book discussing how Charlie Ridgell helped rescue folks who were trapped in their homes during the storm. (To read Mr. B’s entire chapter (click here.)
Unfortunately, the current disaster in Texas has resulted in over a hundred deaths.
Couple of points to be made here:
1) When I first took over Buzzy’s Country Store in 2007, I had to argue with the flood insurance bubbas who claimed that their maps showed the Store as being located in a flood area. I sent them something similar to the graphic below and invited them to come visit and see for themselves that Buzzy’s was not in any danger of flooding regardless what their maps showed. (I guess they were looking at the as-the-crow-flies-distance of the Store to Harry James Creek.) When they threw the “100 years flood” business on me, I noted that we had had a 100 years flood and despite most everything south of the Store being under water in 1933, the Store itself was ok because it is elevated. Eventually and thankfully, they did not force me to take out flood insurance.
2) I heard a commentator ask why Texas had even allowed a summer camp to operate in an area that was designated as a flood plain. I thought that to be a little unfair. For example, in St. Mary’s we have over 400 miles of waterfront most of which is designated as being in the flood plain. Think about how many homes, businesses and activities are currently located in these areas. If/when/should a 100 years’ calamity hit, who can say that it wasn’t prudent to allow folks to build and live in those areas?
3) Doing the math (1933 + 100) here’s to crossing our fingers that Mother Nature isn’t really keeping that good of an eye on all of her 100 year missions. There must be sundry places that she hasn’t farkled up yet, so let’s hope she’s busy elsewhere and leaves us alone a little longer.
But speaking of Momma and how she rolls, there was this:
Re-watched The Commitments the other night and happy to report that it has held up fairly well. It did send me looking for both Soundtracks and this tune sung by Angeline Ball. (I always think of it whenever the rain begins to get on my nerves. Like now.)