Flash flood

(1951 July 25)

[There was a flash flood in Richland Center.] It is almost unbelievable how quickly the waters rose and how quickly they receded. Saturday afternoon LL just had to go to the office to meet a man, and when the man had gone and LL tried to get home, he found the water was up over both bridges, and there he was stuck over in town! About 3 WRCO went off the air after telling us to boil our water, etc. And BQ picked that day to decide to deliver my groceries after lunch. Ah me, I had a few grave moments when I drew water and boiled it and thought how I could live by getting eggs from NN [down the road] and picking a few berries to go with the eggs. Not a piece of bread in the house, but muffin makings. Now and then LL would call. Decided to spend the night in the office, but I called ZZ and she said, "Come ahead" [he could stay with them].

But later the flood hit its crest at 5, and by 6 LL got the groceries all but meat and ice cream (which BQ brought at 10:30 p.m.) and made it home [a roundabout way] over Paul's Hill and back by [US highway] 80. We were all so tickled!

But typhoid shots are being given at Soldiers Grove and Viola & Boaz. The people are so downhearted; many have lost everything they had. Red + is helping. I got together a box of bedding and clothes this noon and may find more tomorrow. Of course you know the Footbridge floated away. And no electricity. Men worked day and night making a new levee.