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GRAB YOUR BOOTS AND LEND A HAND: A WEEK IN THE WISCONSIN FLOOD

Neighbors don't care about floods, they care about their neighbors.

flood help

East Sherman homeowner waits for the rain to stop:Ft. Atkinson, WI: 061208

volunteer

Volunteers sandbag on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI:061208

volunteer sandbagging

Volunteer sandbagging in the rain on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI:061208

volunteers sandbagging

Volunteers sandbag in the rain on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI:061208

flood volunteers

Volunteers sandbag-over 4,000, bags- on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI:061208

volunteers sandbagging

Filling up the sandbags on East Sherman in Ft. Atkinson, WI.

flooded road

...and then you have to go check on your place: Rock River Road, Ft Atkinson WI:061208

A home owner in the flood:061208

flooding

Stormy skies:the extra rain doesn't help flooded back yards: 061408

flooding

..and some sunshine gives us all a break, but the water keeps rising: near downtown Ft. Atkinson on the Rock River:061408.

flooding

Water covers the Riverwalk in Ft Atkinson, WI: 061408.

...left and right, water keeps rising on the roads as the Rock River presses in: 061508....we all would really like for this to be over: water up and over Rt. 106 East:

flooding

...fighting for your home is hard work: bringing sandbags to people cut off on Milwuakee St by rising floodwaters from the Rock River in Ft. Atkinson: 061708

flooding

We all just want it to be over-we are looking for Saturdays' rainbow right now.

flooding rainbow

...Wanna help?

I am thankful for my friends and neighbors.

We all do what we can when we have to.

Take care, and stay dry.

Steve

Obeoman

Posted by Obeoman Glade Jones on 06/19/2008 02:43 PM

Comments (37)

realtor, real estate, flooding, wisconsin, sandbags, neighbors, friends, family, help, love, life

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37 Comments on GRAB YOUR BOOTS AND LEND A HAND: A WEEK IN THE WISCONSIN FLOOD

JUN

2008

Steve, those are great shots. I'm actually surprised some of the folks here from the Midwest haven't written or shown photo's. That rainbow at the end says it all.

Missy,

Thank you so much for your thoughts-I think we all just want it to be over and we tend to be self-sufficient.

But we have a long way to go, and the clean-up. NAd some rain coming, too.

We are very lucky at out home-we still have 30 feet to the river-but the river has come up 400 feet in our backyard. I have helps sandbag a home that eventually was lost this week, run and got pumps for neighbors, and sat and damn near cried after sandbagging my own home at the low spots.

It is bad downstream, but it is still bad up here, too.

Thanks for stopping by.

Steve

Obeoman

Suddenly my loss of power for 5 days seems very minor compared to what others have gone thru.

The rainbow is great.

Keep a positive attitude and the sun will come out and dry it all up.

WOW small towns and great neighbors are a great combination. I hear it on the news but to see it and how it affects peoples lives is difficult to hear about. Good luck.

I hope you guys get by. And the pics were great.

The thing I see is that these types of events bring people together and show that the vast majority of people are good and ready to help their neighbor.

JUN

2008

Gosh Steve, the photos are quite something. You are in my thoughts.. I hope the worst is over for you.

Steve,

I hear more about Lake Delton, or lake thereof, than the flooding. Thanks for making me more clued in. Here in my little corner of Southeast corner of Wisconsin, we didn't experience what you all did.

Anyway to lend a helping hand? Some fund to donate to?

The neighbors helping neighbors you speak of doesn't surprise me. Wisconsin has good folk. It is the reason I moved my family here.

Let me know about the help.

I hope the turnaround comes quick for you Steve.

I love the United State of America. When disaster strikes, we don't act like victims and wait for help. We get busy and help ourselves and our neighbors.

The photos are heartbreaking but hearwarming----just to see everyone helping their neighbors, that's the way it needs to be.

Steve, Those were some incredible shots! It was a lot more personal and real then the media. I just got back from Kansas where they were having it quite a bit milder but when I was there 15 years ago that was far from the case. Best wishes! Remember the reason for the rainbow!

Virginia,

Thanks for stopping by and for your kind thoughts.

Steve

Obeoman

Terry,

I am very grateful for my neighbors and my community. I hope everyone who sees this has a chance to share that gratitude.

Steve

Obeoman

Lane,

...we all do what we can do-especially when we know it's not just for us.

Thanks for your friendship,

Steve

Obeoman

Susie,

The river is still rising here, we ain't outta the woods yet. I am gonna spend my time trying to help-we still got 25 feet to go before it gets to us, but that's after coming up 400 feet in our back yard.

I really appreciate you stopping by,

Steve

Obeoman

Rebecca!

Lake Delton was just the start-FEMA visited Jefferson today, the National Guard is small in numbers but visible in my town and the Red Cross has a truck here.

But the river is still rising.

We should all send out thoughts and prayers on a raft downstream, too. It's just starting down south...

I know the Red Cross is a great place to start-and thanks for offering.

Bless you,

Steve

Lenn,

...that is so true. We don't like to wait for much, and help is always at hand in this country.

All you have to do is reach out!

Thanks for stopping by,

Steve

Obeoman

Diane,

I don't cry about much. Enough said.

With the flooding still here, shed a few tears and stack a few sandbags for your neighbor, I say.

It is still very hard to see this happen. To anyone.

Steve

Sara!

Thanks for the memory-Kansas was a real monster then.

Looks like this one is gonna rival it.

And the reason for the rainbow shouldn't be lost on any of us-thanks for the reminder!

Take care,

Steve

Steve a friend of mine in Omaha just told me it's another evening of serious rain in that neck of the woods; I wish it would stop, it's been so hard on all of you. I am so glad you are doing this visual and audio report it means a lot. Prayers and hugs, Steve.

Steve, it's been just unbelievable watching these floods on t.v. Must be even more crazy to actually be there. Hope everything is alright!

What a mess. My heart goes out to the people who are flooded out of their homes and businesses.

Steve-

What can I do to help (other than send thoughts and prayers)??

~Emily

JUN

2008

The pictures are probably bringing in the help! Would be there if I could! Good luck to your community!

Steve...you did a GREAT job on this post. The photos and videos are WOW!

I hope things get better for you folks soon. All of the people along the waterways that are flooding are in my thoughts and prayers. I live in the Fox River in Cary and it is high here, too.

Carole,

...I will pass along the prayers and hugs as I am out and about. Thanks for stopping by.

Only something good can change a bad situation.

Thanks,

Steve

Brian,

It is crazy...there are people who are really hurting, and one block over, things are fine.

I cannot make sense of the situation, so I try to make sense by helping when I can and telling the stories.

Thanks,

Steve

Obeoman

Wayne,

...thank you for your thoughts - any heart that thinks of others is a heart for all of us to learn from.

Steve

Emily,

...I know the Red Cross is looking for some help!

Thanks for reaching out,

Steve

Renee,

....the stories are important for all of us-the tellers and the listeners. Thanks for stopping by!

Steve

Debra,

...all of those affected by the flood will have greatness thrust upon them, and their stories should be told.

The river ain't crested yet.

Thanks for stopping by,

Steve

JUN

2008

Great job Steve,...all the flood maps in the world have not prepared anyone for this mess that seems to be everywhere...a helping hand, a warm meal, lots of ways to help....and to remember that the businesses affected in Pewaukee, in Waukesha, Milwaukee, Fort Atkinson...EVERYWHERE will need our patronage more now than ever....think globally...shop locally !

The last photo gave me chills... Thank you for sharing this with us, our thoughts and prayers are with all who were affected.

Sally and David,

Well said-looking toward the future, hopefully we can take the stronger sense of community from the flood and build on it!

Steve

Obeoman

Debbie,

Your kind words will be heard again as I am out and about doing what I can to help my neighbors.

Many Thanks,

Steve

Obeoman

JUN

2008

Steve - The smiles on these people's faces in your video bring tears to my eyes. What a community!

AUG

2008

All of the people along the waterways that are flooding are in my thoughts and prayers. I live in the Fox River in Cary and it is high here, too. We should all send out thoughts and prayers on a raft downstream, too. It's just starting down south.

-----------------

Pamban23

Wisconsin Treatment Centers

Pamban,

Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words. I will pass them along at the Flood Survivor Party on Sept 20th in Ft. Atkinson.

Steve

Obeoman

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