Ike: Water, Water Everywhere

Sunday, 8:25 a.m.--Ike's remnants have arrived and will be with us until about noon, according to the weather service. Norm said he heard the first drops of rain hitting the awnings about 6 a.m. What followed was a deluge of rain in sheets. According to the weather on the radio, the "eye" of the circulating low was over St. Louis about 7 a.m.


Some water did creep under the back door in the basement, but thanks to the good work of Matt and Doug a few years back to build some barrier structures in our yard that help direct the water, it was much less than it could have been.

I took the photos about 7:45, after the rain started back up and the wind had switched to the north. The rain is much lighter now and the radar shows one more fairly heavy band to come, and then we should be done. The water in the driveway and the street was higher before I took the picture.

Now we mainly have the wind to contend with. About 8:20 the weather page on the Internet said we have 33 mph NNW winds with gusts to 44 mph. I can believe it. The news station crackles with new road closings around the area. The weather service has issued flood warnings for both the Missouri and Meramec Rivers. The Missouri will be at least 10 feet out of its banks, overtopping rural levees, by late Monday and the Meramec is forecast to be 41 feet--almost 18 feet out--at Valley Park by Wednesday. That's about the height of the new levee. No word on effect for the Mississippi yet.

One effect of Ike we are seeing here is at gas stations. Many say they have only premium to sell. Others have jumped the price. Apparently a major pipeline from the gulf that runs through Tulsa has shut down and the supply is dwindling. So we may be having to drive the lawn mower before the week is out...

Wow, if this is what a remnant of a tropical storm is like, glad we don't get to experience the full hurricane. We continue to pray for Lola's son and family, Scott and Sharis and their family, Ashley and her family, Eva, and others who have been in this storm's path and who will be in the next day. Hope it fades soon.