At some POINT you will realized that you have done too much for someone. That the... only next possible step to do is to STOP. It's not like you're giving up, and it's not like you shouldn't try- It's just that you have to draw the line of DETERMINATION from DESPERATION ... What is truly yours will eventually be yours and What is not, no matter how hard you try - will never be...(Flo Aguila)
don't remember now where I saw this but it moves me.... so I am sharing
I AM leaving this up only because of the last line. K- did not mean to give you a fright .
more flood info coming out of Owego
A thin layer of mud coated the sidewalks and streets in downtown Owego as floodwaters began to recede on Friday -- a grimy reminder of a record flood and the extensive cleanup that lies ahead. The main north-south road through town remained a series of lakes. There was driftwood in the courthouse lawn.
On the roads that were passable, residents pushed carts, pulled wagons, carried bags with bottled water, food or ice, if it could be found. Water service was off. The power went out Thursday. And officials said the sewer plant flooded and was shut down."The town is closed," Jim Morris, the village fire chief, said Friday afternoon as officials literally shut the community off to incoming traffic. "We're still trying to rescue people, and we've got people trying to come in."
On the roads that were passable, residents pushed carts, pulled wagons, carried bags with bottled water, food or ice, if it could be found. Water service was off. The power went out Thursday. And officials said the sewer plant flooded and was shut down."The town is closed," Jim Morris, the village fire chief, said Friday afternoon as officials literally shut the community off to incoming traffic. "We're still trying to rescue people, and we've got people trying to come in."
Owego and the surrounding area are among the hardest hit by flooding, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during a news conference at Binghamton Regional Airport in the town of Maine. The isolated nature of the region only adds to the severity of the situation.
The two main bridges into Owego are closed over concerns about their stability. The blockade went up on Route 38. Inside, only emergency vehicles and those carrying people out of town are now allowed on the roads.
"We are devastated with the disaster we're seeing," Mayor Ed Arrington said, estimating 90 percent of commercial buildings had been flooded.
Officials imposed a curfew Friday night because of looting and brought in state troopers for help.
The area was inundated both by Owego Creek and the Susquehanna River -- the latter, which crested at roughly 40 feet, was eight feet above the previous record and 10 feet above flood stage, according to the National Weather Service.
More than half the village's 3,700 or more residents had been evacuated, officials said, and an untold number from the town. Three shelters were at or nearing capacity. There were no fatalities or serious injuries reported as of mid-afternoon.
Those who stayed either volunteered or tried to make do, eager for any news and frustrated by the lack of answers.
When will power be restored? Don't know. When will people be able to return? Don't know. When will this road reopen, or that one? Don't know.
"We don't want anyone on the roads unless they have to be," said Donald Castellucci, town supervisor. "These roads are compromised. And with the water so high, we can't assess the damage."
The only sure answer was for those asking about access to medications. The answer: Evacuate.
State, county and local agencies are responding, and quickly, said Sen. Thomas W. Libous, R-Binghamton, who flew over the area with Cuomo on Friday. Supplies were flown in Friday and in almost unheard of night missions Thursday by the New York Army National Guard to a shelter that was without food or water up the road in Nichols.
"I cannot stress enough to people that this is serious," Libous said, urging evacuated residents to stay away until the waters recede, the situation is safe and authorities announce a re-entry plan. "This is going to take time."
Arrington made a plea for patience and compassion, which he said was being answered in part by a volunteer force of 200 to 300.
Then there were those like Chris Pellicano, a 22-year resident of Church Street. He set up folding tables in his driveway, brought out food and established what became a neighborhood feeding station. Others joined in, emptying their fridges and freezers.
"We decided to take the initiative and just try and take hold of what's going on," Pellicano said. "You know, because we don't know what is going to happen."
Over on Lake Street, Maureen Mathewson and neighboring shop owners were trying to pump out their waterlogged basements in stages for fear the buildings might otherwise collapse. At Mathewson's Tender Loving Care property, floodwaters nearly reached the first floor.
"We already know we are going to need a new electrical system. Where am I going to get the money for that?" Mathewson said. "What am I going to do?"
The Red Cross established a central aid station Friday evening. During the day, with so many roads impassable, officials used a series of supply "islands" or loaded pickups with bottled water and drove around their section of town.
Other than people talking, the only sound in the village was that of generators, and occasionally of Blackhawk helicopters ferrying in supplies....
and the sounds of 80 year old Walt Harrison saying hell no I won't go !
