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Flooding Everywhere Today (Including Inside My Car)
My car, after the water had receded a little bit
I don’t know about y’all, but when I see those news stories where drivers get trapped in dangerous floodwaters after attempting to cross rain-swollen roads, I always think to myself, “what in the world was that dunderhead thinking?” Well, I can now definitively report to you exactly what at least one of those dunderheads was thinking, and that dunderhead is me.
Like so many areas of the country today, we are experiencing some pretty significant flooding here in Knoxville (Tennessee). I’ve seen plenty of scary flooding scenes on TV over the years, but I have never come face to face with rising water myself. Until today, that is.
I left my office at lunchtime today, driving my 2007 Honda Odyssey minivan, and intending to be back at my desk in an hour. A big thunderstorm had just hit as I left the building, but I figured that the heavy rain wasn’t any different than any other heavy rain though which I’ve driven a million times in my life. As I got to a side road known for occasional flooding, I could see that there was some water in the road, but honestly, it just looked like a large puddle. I am a very cautious person when it come to things like water, and I had absolutely no worries about continuing down the road.
And then everything just happened so fast that I can’t even quite figure out the exact series of events. All I can tell you is that one minute I was driving down a heavily traveled, wet road, and the next minute my car was stalled out, and water was rising so fast that it was soon up to my ankles inside the car. After that, it was to my knees. I had dialed 911, and I was trying to explain to the dispatcher how serious the situation was, as people on the side of the road, at the edge of the water, began yelling at me to abandon the car immediately. I decided that they were correct, and I took the plunge, holding my briefcase with ipad, cellphone and laptop over my head. The water was chest high, and swirling in a way that made it hard to walk forward. I fell once, swallowing a big mouthful of muddy floodwater before regaining my footing, but I finally made it to “shore.” It seemed like it took a lot longer than it probably did.
I didn’t really know where to go or what to do. Rain of Biblical proportions continued to fall, and I was soaked, covered in mud and freezing. I slogged through the ankle deep water down the block to a library. Once I got inside, I allowed myself to fully grasp what had just happened. I began shaking uncontrollably, and I went in the bathroom and cried. Seeing water rising into my car was terrifying. And all I could think about once I got into a dry building was what would have happened if I’d had any of my children with me, particularly my toddler or my infant. What if I’d had all four of them with me? How could I have gotten everyone out and safely to dry land? The very thought will certainly give me nightmares tonight.
I now understand for the first time how ostensibly reasonable people “accidentally” drive into flooded areas. Except, I really don’t. I am still not entirely sure how I failed to see that the wet spot in the road was actually a raging river that would in moments begin rising quickly. Like I said, it just all happened so fast.
Tonight my car remains underwater. My very sweet husband has been taking care of insurance issues and other logistics because I am so shaken up and exhausted by what happened. The insurance guy tells us that the car is likely a total financial loss, which we SO DID NOT NEED after the catastrophically awful year we’ve had. Aside from the car, though, this whole thing just seems unbelievable to me; I still can’t believe it actually happened.
Have you ever been in any kind of natural disaster? Were your kids with you or no? How did you handle it. Tell me in the comments below.
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My Incredibly Scary Flood Experience Today | mamapundit commented on Feb 28 11 at 9:14 pmColleen commented on Feb 28 11 at 9:21 pmWow! And the hits just keep on coming! Glad you’re safe and had no kids with you!
Claire R commented on Feb 28 11 at 9:27 pmPoor angel. Enough is enough already! Time for a break, please.
Liz commented on Feb 28 11 at 9:31 pmWow. That sounds terrifying! Glad you are safe.
Emma commented on Feb 28 11 at 9:38 pmA car is just a car – glad you’re okay!!!!
John Cave Osborne commented on Feb 28 11 at 9:40 pmHOLY COW. where were you? don’t forget to email or text me the deets.
we had some property that was pretty well flooded off of Bway, but it was parking lots only.
do glad you’re okay. and you’re right about the luck in not having either of your little ones there…
Michelle commented on Feb 28 11 at 9:46 pmGlad you’re safe! I was in only the second earthquake to terrify me just last Easter, huddled in a hallway and riding it out. Found out later that was not the smartest move I could have made, so I understand what you mean that reasonable people make mistakes. The fortunate ones have the chance to tell the story later. Take care.
lisa commented on Feb 28 11 at 9:46 pmOh Katie, How terrifying and scary and awful! I am so glad you are safe and had no children with you. That is too bad about the car, I know what a finacial hit that can be. I will always be extra cautious about driving through water now.
jzzy55 commented on Feb 28 11 at 10:32 pmNo, but my cousin fell through the ice on a cove many years ago, and was rescued at what he felt was his very last moment by an ice fisherman who came running from a long distance away with some kind of pole and hook — at the risk of falling in himself.
And I’ve seen dogs drown in icy rivers. These things only take a moment. You don’t notice a crack or the speed of the water…and poof, you vanish.
Especially if you’re thinking about something else, as we often do when we drive.
Kristin commented on Feb 28 11 at 10:33 pmSo sorry Katie! Thank heavens you are okay. Good luck with the insurance — I hope you will be able to get something at least similar. Thinking of you and your family tonight and glad you’re home safe.
jzzy55 commented on Feb 28 11 at 10:34 pmI think your older kids could have managed to get out just fine, and between the three of you adults (or near adults) you would have taken care of the little ones. But I can imagine you’ll have trouble stopping the mind movies anyway.
{sue} commented on Feb 28 11 at 10:55 pmSo glad you are ok. This is one of my biggest fears. Way to keep a cool head. (And even save your electronics.) Wishing you calm seas for awhile… I think you are well-overdue.
Opus commented on Feb 28 11 at 11:01 pmFlash flooding is just that – it happens in an instant. I heard about a couple who drove through manageable water and then decided to turn back. They were trapped in deep water in just those few minutes. (They made it out, but had to be rescued) I live in flash flood country and the word here is “Turn around, don’t drown.” And we mean it. It doesn’t take much water to move a vehicle. Don’t beat yourself up over it – just don’t ever do it again!
I drove through a flooded wash many years ago. It was crossing a major highway and there were plenty of people around. I figured my car could handle it and I was right – stupid, but right. However, just as I started across a semi came from the other direction and a faster speed than I would have liked. It created a wave that was taller than my car. That was scary! I had that car for 10 more years and never did get the mud out of all the nooks and crannies! I’ve never driven through a flood again.
Glad you’re OK and hope the insurance comes through without too much hassle.
Candice commented on Feb 28 11 at 11:04 pmHow utterly terrifying. I, too, would have nightmares about what I would’ve done if I had my baby with me. I would have to imagine that I would have somehow learned to fly – i.e. I would have done something superhuman to make sure he was safe. But you just never know. So scary.
So glad you’re okay!
shari commented on Feb 28 11 at 11:25 pmMy Dear, you do NOT need anything else. I am so sorry this happened to you. I can only imagine your fear as the water kept going up and up! Be easy on yourself and let the insurance do their work. If there’s anybody who needs a break, it is YOU!
A commented on Mar 01 11 at 12:09 amMy mantra to stop the movies in my mind, “It didn’t happen.” You are okay. I’ve covered my fair share of this exact scenario in my career (photojournalism) it really, truly takes a second. It’s why they’re called flash floods as opposed to “Totally predictable and easily seen” floods. You’re okay. It didn’t happen.
Erin commented on Mar 01 11 at 12:18 amI’m just so glad that you made it out and you’re safe, Katie. Cars can be replaced–you cannot.
sandi commented on Mar 01 11 at 12:34 amsoooooo scary. I am so thankful that you are ok.
Annie commented on Mar 01 11 at 12:44 amI feel utterly sick to my stomach imagining the scenario with your children in the car–so glad all turned out ok despite the car loss. Thoughts are with you as you process this.
http://www.tunheimfamily.blogspot.com
Maria commented on Mar 01 11 at 2:00 amKatie, I was in a tornado with my son 5 yrs ago. He was only 2 yrs old, and we were driving home, had heard a warning on the radio, but did not know the tornado was bearing directly toward us. It’s a long story, but what is similar to your description is that I had a hard time afterward making sense of the decisions I made. I basically drove into the tornado, not believing my own eyes of what I was seeing. I never saw the funnel cloud, but part of me was screaming “this is the tornado” while the other part was saying “oh that’s ridiculous.” There is something about a brand new, dangerous situation that takes the mind by surprise.
Later, as we all walked around our neighborhood casually noticing all the huge heavy things that had been tossed blocks up the street and all the roofs, etc, I continually thought “that could have hit me & g. That could have hit us. And that could have hit us.” (we had gotten out of the car to take shelter and were on a neighbors front porch holding the railing as the funnel cloud went past up a few houses up.)
I’m so glad you were by yourself and wish you the best in adjusting to your close call.
KathrynT commented on Mar 01 11 at 2:54 amOh, my goodness. I am so glad you are OK!
Donn commented on Mar 01 11 at 3:03 amI share the deep disquiet over what could have been. At the same time, I confess to wondering: did the iPad survive?
Monika commented on Mar 01 11 at 3:49 amThank goodness you are okay!!!
Clisby commented on Mar 01 11 at 5:36 amGosh, I’m glad you’re OK. Something like this (on a smaller scale) happened to me a few years ago here in Charleston (SC). I *really* felt stupid because downtown Charleston gets bad flooding a few times a year, and you’d think I’d be more alert to it. In my case the water wasn’t quite waist-high, but I’ve never forgotten how scary it was to first see that the water had reached seat-level in the car and then to realize the car was actually floating. I was *extremely* lucky that a few guys hanging around a nearby day-labor place waded out and pushed the car up into the parking lot. Amazingly enough, the most expensive damage was that all the carpet and upholstery had to be pulled out and cleaned. I was also lucky not to have kids with me – though mine were big enough by then that I don’t think they’d have been in any real danger. Charleston floods aren’t normally swift-moving – it’s usually a matter of a very heavy rain that hits at high tide, so the water can’t go anywhere. Still, a couple of panicky kids could not possibly have improved the situation.
Debra commented on Mar 01 11 at 6:22 amThis is so scary. I’m glad you are safe.
Jacqueline commented on Mar 01 11 at 6:28 amI’m sending in my nomination for you for “Strongest Woman in the Known Universe.” Don’t think of what could have happened, think of what DID happen. You got out of there and you got yourself to safety. You did it! You are so brave and capable and STRONG.
Kim commented on Mar 01 11 at 7:01 amOur family of eight was in a rafting accident two years ago. The raft flipped and all eight of us went in separate directions. It was horrible to watch your children ripped from you by the rapids while drowning and being smashed against the rocks. Miraculously, we all were saved.
and….
My twins and I witnessed a suicide this past August. I have never felt such a pull…do I stay with my children or try to save this man from himself. I told the kids to look away(they did not) and ran for the man. He ignored my pleas and we watched him die. Working to forgive myself for letting my children witness this and failing this man.
Erica Clements commented on Mar 01 11 at 7:48 amSo glad you’re okay! Sounds like it was a terrifying experience!
dewi commented on Mar 01 11 at 8:28 amThat sounds terrifying for this to happen to you. I’m glad you are okay.
Unbelievable the extent of horrifying things happening…
Beverly Harwell commented on Mar 01 11 at 8:31 amWere you able to find out who the wonderful man was who helped you out of the car? When we saw you on the news it was really scary. Please let us know how you are today.
Elissa commented on Mar 01 11 at 8:37 amWow – so scary! Glad that you are ok! Also, I compeletely understand the natural tendancy to do the “what if” scenarios, but just try to think of it as a blessing that your kids were not with you and not put any additional stress on yourself by wondering what could have been.
MS commented on Mar 01 11 at 8:50 amSaw your post on twitter last night about this. Jeez, Katie, how terrifying! So glad you are okay and the kids weren’t with you in the car. Everyone is right, a car is just a car. You are safe and sound. You have insurance. Still, argh, so sorry this happened to you!
Nelson's Mama commented on Mar 01 11 at 9:45 amSo, glad you are safe, dry and very happy no little ones were with one. Also, admitting that I’m wondering how the ipad fared! Just so you know…I might still be sitting on TOP of my vehicle, not because I was afraid of the water, but because that shit is COLD. You are my hero!
Eclecta commented on Mar 01 11 at 9:52 amI recently read an article (wish I could remember the context) that asserted that normal human reaction when faced with calamity is NOT, as we all would think, panic. It’s numbness. The body normally freezes and the mind dissociates because it can’t bear the enormity of what is actually happening. It doesn’t compute. The example the article gave was all those videos from Thailand when the tsunami was approaching land and people stood dazed on the beach, watching it. So even if there had been any warning signs (sounds like there hardly were), your reaction was really just NORMAL.
I love A’s suggestion of “It didn’t happen.” I will try to remember that one for myself.
And Kim … my heart aches for you and your children. I hope you all have some resources available to you to help you deal with this trauma, and that more than the awfulness of seeing that man kill himself, they will remember your amazing compassion for another human being.
Finally, Katie … burn some sage or something!!!! LOL Enough is enough. Your annus horribilis is q
Eclecta commented on Mar 01 11 at 9:52 am{GAH} quite complete.
Katie Allison Granju commented on Mar 01 11 at 10:08 amKim – I am so, so sorry that you and your children have gone through this. I hope for peace for all of you, and also for the man’s family. – Katie
Katie Allison Granju commented on Mar 01 11 at 10:10 amWell, the iPad definitely got damp. But luckily, it was inside the case I have for it, inside my zipped up briefcase, and then inside an interior pouch of the briefcase. So it could have been a lot worse. It seems to be working fine. My cell phone acted very wonky all day yesterday but seems to be working this morning. I haven’t messed with the laptop much yet, but I did have to scrape muddy goo off of it when I pulled it out of the briefcase last night. :-) – Katie
Christina commented on Mar 01 11 at 10:22 amI’m so glad you are okay, but I have to confess, when I read the headline and saw the picture my first thought was, “What the hell, how do you drive into a river?” Thank god you are safe and I hope everything works out with the insurance. Good luck.
Christine commented on Mar 01 11 at 10:25 amI am so glad you are ok and you didn’t have the children with you !!!
paula commented on Mar 01 11 at 10:28 amI totally understand yesterday I was on a road that had some water and as I sat at the red light the water started to rise fast scared the hell out of me but I was lucky enough to pull out of the intersection before it completely washed out
Beth Quinlan commented on Mar 01 11 at 10:31 amYour story took me back to a childhood story that has always haunted me. This was in Baltimore back in the late 60′s. There was a hurricane and flooding warnings went out. Certain areas were evacuated. The daughter of someone my father knew was told to leave her home and go to the shelter. She had 3 young children and decided to go to her parent’s house which was on high ground and where they would certainly have been more comfortable. Unfortunately, she had to drive through an area known for flooding to get to her parents. Tragically, the car was flooded and she watched her 3 young children swept away. My father was the grandparents minister. He heard all the horrific details. He was normally open with us, but he would not repeat any of them.
I often think of that young mother, especially when there is a storm or flooding and I think about the decisions we make. I am glad to hear your story had a positive outcome (minivan aside.)
steph commented on Mar 01 11 at 10:36 amI am SO glad you got out okay.
Angel Funk commented on Mar 01 11 at 10:50 amKatie, the flooding in Nashville last year was so crazy, I hate that Knoxville had to go through it too. I’m glad you are OK and that John is helping you with the insurance. Hang in there!
GrizeldaJones commented on Mar 01 11 at 11:58 amGlad you are OK…but, what kind of message from the universe will it take to compel you to slow down and take a time out?!? People are saying poor you, you’ve been through A, B, C, D…OK then. Time out!
Clinton commented on Mar 01 11 at 12:20 pmMy husband works at KPD and they have video of a car going under and then several other cars following right into the rising water after the first car had been rescued. Even cars going around blocked roads that were flooded to see if they might get across putting not only their lives in danger but the rescue people in danger also. It is easy to not see how deep the water actually is though, if there is nothing to compare it against (like another car up to the windows with water). I once was on Kingston Pike when the same thing happened to me. My car stalled out in water which looked like it was only a couple inches deep. Lucky me a jeep came up and pushed me out.
kate commented on Mar 01 11 at 1:54 pmUuggh. How terrifying! I experienced something similar but on a MUCH smaller scale. We lived on the coast of Oregon, where it rains A LOT. So it wasn’t unusual to drive down roads with an inch or two of water on them. Once, however, the flooding was worse than usual and I turned onto a road and immediately felt my car *floating* just the smallest amount. I had no control for a split second. Luckily I was in an SUV and was able to back up and get back on the road that was merely covered in puddles. I’ll never forget that feeling, though and it made me realize how quickly you can go from in control to completely out of control.
Glad you’re ok!!
Stephanie commented on Mar 01 11 at 2:33 pmWow–that was you? Like you I have always thought that people who had this happen to them were fools and not cautious drivers. You’re story changed my mind! Thanks for the wake up call. Also, congrats on your daughter and the IB program. My kids will be going to the same school as yours and I hope they get into that program if it’s something they want. You’ll have to keep us posted on how she (and you) like the IB program.
Cath Young commented on Mar 01 11 at 3:27 pmWhen I was driving down a road, one rainy day, the rain fall accelerated and suddenly the road was like a river. I started driving in the center of the road to avoid the deeper waters. Then ahead of me, I saw a car disappear. Yes, disappear. The road dipped at that point and she went right into the dip which put her car under water. I immediately did a U_turn and headed back calling the police to report the incident. I don’t swim, and I am a tiny person, so I knew I could not get anyone out of the car To my relief, I saw that police cars were at the site almost immediately after what happened. They were blockading the area when the incident occurred.
It happened in an instant and it could have just easily been my car as the one whose car it was.
Kelly commented on Mar 01 11 at 3:34 pmYou were having a really boring (yaawwwwnn) day today and made this up just to have something to write about, right!?? What a freakin’ nightmare! Sorry, Katie. Hang in there.
ChiLaura commented on Mar 01 11 at 5:09 pmI am so sorry, Katie. What a horrible experience. So thankful that your children weren’t with you!
Speaking of your children, and I say this in the small hope that it will bring you some comfort: My children and I pray for Henry every time we say our morning prayers. May his memory be eternal!
bearing commented on Mar 01 11 at 9:33 pmNever been in a natural disaster myself, except one tornado that didn’t damage our house. My husband survived an avalanche a couple of years ago, and even though I wasn’t there I had the “mind movies” myself.
FL Mom commented on Mar 02 11 at 7:54 amKim at 7:01AM: In what you described of the traumatic experience you & your kids witnessed, what I see is that your children watched you care about someone else enough to try to help him. It didn’t have a happy ending, and you’ll all have to work through the grief over time, but I hope that instead of keeping a totally negative regard for this tragedy, they’ll remember your example to help other people and grow up to be adults who won’t turn away from people in need. You did the best you could.
Katie: Hollywood doesn’t have any movie that could match the level of super-crazy life you’ve experienced lately. I hope there’s a vacation or some other NICE surprise for you in the near future.
Clisby commented on Mar 02 11 at 12:26 pmKatie needs to win the HGTV Dream Home giveaway – although, she’s probably prohibited from entering.
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