Evalie Says...
The big of Missouri River has creeping out of its banks as we speak. From what I understand Montana and the Dakotas had a lot of snow this winter and a very rainy spring. This means that all that extra water needs to make its way downstream to the Mississippi River in Missouri. There are quite a few dams in the Missouri to help regulate this extra water, but it is just not enough this year.
My father and step-mom built their dream home in Dakota Dunes, SD last year. Since they are close to the Missouri River (500 year flood) they are in risk of losing their home. While we were at the zoo, we got the call from dad and Sandie that they were being voluntarily evacuated. We quickly exited the zoo and headed up to Sioux City to assist.
We ended up staying to help dad and Sandie until Tuesday night. We were able to clear the basement completely. We even hired a company to come and take out the furnace and other heating and cooling appliances. We took up carpet, removed doors, plugged drains, removed and plugged toilets and put in a sump pump in the basement. Upstairs we removed all appliances and everything waist down. We didn't take out the carpet and flooring, and we hope that it never gets to the main level. The community of Dakota Dunes have created two levees around their community trying to save it. If the levees work, my dad and Sandie should only get ground seepage in their basement. A blessing and an answered prayer if this is only what happens.
On Thursday after Memorial Day, my dad and Sandie had to be comptetely evacuated from their home. They are living in an apartment for the time being with another friend who lives also in the community. They are told that the extra water will be released from the dams for the next few weeks into months. They were told to be prepared to be out of their houses until the water goes down and the threat of the levee not breaking and rushing the community with water. It is a very sad and emotionally draining experience for dad and Sandie. We pray for best!
A few pictures of the craziness commotion from the Dunes while we were there.
Breakfast without furniture!
The two trucks and snowmobile trailers we used to clean out the house.
People parked on empty lots to help
The cul-de-sac next to dad's build a levee with sand once they got a massive mountain of it.
The empty trailers back the next morning to fill up again!
Trying to show the view of the massive traffic.
There is only one way into the Dakota Dunes,
so this made things very tricky!
Downstairs bathroom all cleaned out
Downstairs before we tore up the carpet to try to save it.
It looks so bare!
We places vases and other items up high upstairs!
This is one of the trucks that was bringing dirt down to the river for the levee.
One would be going by as one was going in.
It was incredible.
Storing lamps up on top of the cabinets in the kitchen
Kate napping in the middle of all the commotion
All the kitchen appliances are out...
More traffic
Dad's traffic on his cul-de-sac.
The empty lot next door become parking for everyone.
Many people used semi trucks for the move out.
We wished we would have thought of it because it is cheap storage.
My brother, Chad's
Now my niece, Jessica's
The perfect owner!
We started with these sandbags,
but on the day after we left they
build a 3 foot wall around the whole house.
Basement without carpet
Toilets plugged!
Packing up a few last things
Leaving the Dunes...Won't be back until it is time to move back in!
One entrance
Please pray for everyone suffering from the Big Mo!
