Disaster!
As gardeners we try to manipulate nature.
We improve soils, plant seeds that are the result of years of breeding, we water when nature does not provide, we protect plants early and late in the year to extend growing seasons, we even shade plants when the sun is too strong.
And so we congratulate ourselves and post pictures of triumphs when our broccoli grows strong, or the number of cucumbers surpasses our ability to eat or can them all.
As if….
The reality is we have so little control over nature, and when she gets her back up we are rather insignificant in our ability to do anything except wait it out and clean it up.
Yesterday we had a storm blow though in early afternoon. It didn’t last very long but apparently didn’t have to.
As we ventured out of the basement and walked around a little shell shocked at the arboreal devastation, the sounds of summer cicadas were soon replaced by the chattering of chain saws and drone of portable generators. I counted 14 downed trees just from the end of the driveway with even moving my feet, just looking up and down the block. We lost our beautiful magnolia in front of the house, and the towering black locust that provided such lovely shade over the deck. The trees that were lost may be replaced, but they will never regain the size and maturity in my life time. The news helicopters are flying over, and the intrepid reporters are reporting live! from several nearby street corners.
In August 2007 we had a similar storm that hit the area and it caused a great deal of highly localized damage.
This time the damage covers a much wider area. The power is out. They are saying 7-10 days to restore it. Hopefully, that is a conservative estimate but I can’t really tell. The forecast calls for temps in the mid to upper 90’s for the week with daily doses of thunderstorms. On the plus side, there are no more trees to come down
I’m sending this from one town over in the air-conditioned comfort of the library.
I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.
The last photo you can see the big limb that came down on the deck and garden after we took the branches off and began to take it apart. You can see some damage to the garden. That’s the topic for another post.
Until next time… Stay Safe!
July 2, 2012
Oh, David, how terrible. I’m so sorry for all the damage you suffered. Your poor house, the garden, the big tree. Being without power for that long would be devastating. Will you lose all of your frozen foods?
July 3, 2012
Fortunately we have a generator to keep the fridge running… And the power came up at 3 this morning so we were only out 36 hours. Hopefully it stays up.
July 2, 2012
I live just south of you and we missed all the damage- took a ride yesterday afternoon and could not believe how bad it is. So sorry – I hope the clean up brings opportunity in the yard- I know hard to see now- good luck.
July 3, 2012
It’s a little surreal the damage that occurred. Just glad no injuries…
July 2, 2012
oh my how horrible! I hope the clean up goes smoothly and that all the damage done can be repaired!
July 3, 2012
We’re getting there… but it won’t be cheap. Oh well it’s only money.
July 2, 2012
What a shame. You had such a lovely garden going too this year. I hate that your power will be out that long. It is entirely too hot for that. Do you have a generator. I really want one so that we can have some comfort when the power goes out here.
Now try to be positive. Everything can be fixed with time and a lot of work. Sorry, I am trying to be comforting and it really isn’t working. I’m sure you can fix it though, you had a lovely garden before and you will have one again.
July 3, 2012
Hi Becky – we do have a gasoline generator so at least able to keeop fridge running. And, the power came up after “only” 36 hours so that is a blessing.
July 2, 2012
How awful, David! I hope your home was spared, electricity being the only ‘loss”. I can only imagine the shock of going outside to find that level of damage. And the trees! That’s a particularly hard one to take. I certainly hope that your power will be restored far sooner than predicted and am very happy that, despite everything, you and yours are safe.
July 3, 2012
I was commenting with the neighbor. Those trees will never be replaced in our lifetime. A little sad… House and garage suffured minor damage.
July 3, 2012
What a scene of devastation! It must be so sad to see all those trees that have lived for ages being cut up and carted away. The Garden Centres and Nurseries will be doing good business over the next month or so, with people looking for replacements.What about the vegetable garden? Did it survive?
July 3, 2012
There is damage to the vegetable garden, some limb damage and some wind damage. I watered this morning but didn’t go over the plants to closely. I figure I’ll give the 48 hours and the ones that need trimming or removal should be evident by then. The trees are the biggest loss, it completely changes the feel of the neighborhood. I’ll put in a new tree in the front but will wait until autumn to do so.