Growing up in the northeast and waking up to your Mom announcing that school was cancelled due to the snow, was the absolute best part of winter!! I couldn’t help thinking about those mornings as we too have been dealing with school being closed today due to heavy rain and flood warnings here in Charleston! I can only guess that a day off from school was met with much excitement throughout the Lowcountry but I couldn’t help wondering what those school kids would be doing today. In my day, as soon as we knew school was cancelled….no matter what time of the morning, we would bundle up in every layer that Mom had on hand and we would race outside with sleds and skates in hand!
What did y’all do today? I would like to think that here in Charleston was a day in which families may have stayed in and spent some quality time together. Or, perhaps a good baking day where you could get lost in that cookie aroma emanating from brightly lit homes……or as I actually did see on a Rivertowne street this afternoon…..kids roller skating in the rain while a few were carrying umbrellas overhead! I won’t comment on what gender had the umbrellas! Loved it!
Flooding is not something that we should take lightly. I have posted some flood safety tips from the American Red Cross below:
When a Flood is Imminent
- Be prepared! Pack a bag with important items in case you need to evacuate. Don’t forget to include needed medications.
- If advised to evacuate your home, do so immediately.
- If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground.
- If possible, bring in outdoor furniture and move essential items to an upper floor.
- Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances.
During a Flood
- Do not walk through moving water. As little as 6 inches (15 centimeters) of moving water can make you fall.
- If you have to walk in water, wherever possible, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
- Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
- Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
I hope everyone remains safe and takes precautions as needed!