Extreme Weather
Holly followed Linda into the basement, having to see this for herself. At first, she had thought her friend was having her on when she said it was a swimming pool. Linda had tried to downplay it, but the sight that confronted Holly when they stopped after only descending three steps was nothing short of disastrous.
“Oh, Linda!” Holly’s hand came up to cover her mouth. “This is insane.”
Five atmospheric rivers had come through in quick succession, drenching their town. Holly’s home, up on the hill, had escaped flooding. Linda’s family hadn’t been so lucky. They had evacuated when the dam broke. Their entire street had been underwater for nearly a week until the waters receded. They’d only been allowed back to their homes today to pick up some belongings.
“What are you going to do?” Holly asked, staring at the water that fully hid all of the rec room furniture. Linda’s bedroom was down there in all that wet.
“Dad says we have to move. We have content insurance, but the landlord lied about having the house insured. He says he can’t afford the repairs.”
“Yeah, my dad knows him. Dad says he always operates within razor-thin margins with all his investments. Looks like this one’s going to drown him.”
This story grew from both a prompt (Prompts 2 Go) and the current situation in British Columbia at the time of this writing. The prompt required incorporating the words basement, pool, and razor into a story.
British Columbia is dealing with unprecedented weather. We have had three atmospheric rivers come through in the last few weeks and are currently experiencing a fourth (as I write this post). Another is expected in three days (when this story will publish).
Some areas have experienced devastating damage, with homes lost and people displaced. Farm animals have died, with no ability to evacuate them. I am so lucky to live somewhere safe. Though things are very wet outside, my house is warm and dry.
If you would like to help those affected by the flooding, GoFundMe has set up a page of verified fund raisers.
https://www.gofundme.com/en-ca/c/act/bc-flooding
Alternatively, you can donate through the Canadian Red Cross.
https://donate.redcross.ca/page/94172/donate/1?locale=en-CA
As well, the BCSPCA is raising funds for animals displaced by the flooding. You have to scroll down a bit to get to the donate button.
Please share this story and comment.
There are so many here facing unprecedented loss. May all the support they need be within reach and may the kindness of strangers warm their hearts.
Very sad situation, I was especially sad for the animals. I'm glad you're safe and dry Dascha. I hope people can recover from this as soon as possible.