Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Calm before the Storm?

Temperatures went up to 80 plus degrees today and the waters are responding equally. Tonight's night shift may very well see high waters, although tomorrow night is the big concern. Day crews are building up sandbag dikes, reinforcing the weak spots. A practice emergency scenario will be conducted with the night crew and National Guard. Much concern exits (amongst us fire folks) that the lack of communication with the Guard sets us all up for disaster. Ummmm, LCES, right? Should be a good scenario tonight. Sorry that pictures may be impossible. This night work is tough on the photographer!

Accommodations are found at the local high school. I have procured a Red Cross cot in a very dark gymnasium with just the right white noise. No one else is sleeping at 1 in the afternoon. Awake at 4pm, rested and ready to go! A nice shower in the girls locker room and a meal of sushi from Safeway. Life is good!!

The sandpits are where the real work for this flood gets done. Thousands upon thousands of sand bags are filled 24-7 by local volunteers and Guardsmen. The guard folks are amazing to watch. Like a team of ants, they fill, tie, toss, pile, move and move the 50 pound plus bags from pit to the place of need. They are a working machine. Well rehearsed and orchestrated.

Gotta go! The boss needs to make a plan!

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