The forecast was not looking good.
Rain, rain, and more rain. Flood warnings were issued and people began to prepare for the worst. Not us though. We had just moved into our house six months before. The previous owners assured us that they have never flooded, and since our house is located on the highest point of the neighborhood, we had no reason to doubt their story. We also had a sump pump, and it was working properly. That would take care of any water that could enter our house. We had nothing to worry about!
Needless to say, during the epic storm our power went out. We heard our neighbors starting up generators, but thought nothing of it. We didn't have a generator, and could live without the air conditioning for a night.
The previous owners never flooded before. We are at the highest point in the neighborhood. All of those reassurances kept running through our heads.
Apparently the sump pump will not help anything if you don't have electricity. Oh, and it doesn't matter if they never flooded before or that your house is at the highest point in the neighborhood...
I woke up the next morning to get ready for work. After watching the all of the news reports about the flooded roads in the area I told my husband that he should just call into work and say we got water in our basement and had to stay home. A small lie to save him from the awful headache of trying to find a safe route to the north side of Chicago seemed innocent enough. I had no idea what was in store for me when I walked down the stairs to let my dog out.
Maiden and I walked down the stairs to the basement to make our way to the yard. As I stepped down the final step into our basement the cold water shocked me. My foot was completely submerged by rain water. I looked around the room in a panic, my heart stopped.
"PHILLLLLLLLL!"
He came running downstairs immediately sensing the distress in my voice. As he stepped down his eyes widened and his face lost all color.
The previous owners never flooded before. We are at the highest point in the neighborhood.
None of that mattered.
oh my gosh, when was this? recently? I hope that never happens again, what an awful mess for you guys to deal with!
ReplyDeleteThis was in April, 2013. It was a nightmare. We had to gut the whole basement. It was definitely a blessing in disguise because now we have an amazing space completely renovated. :)
DeleteOh, no! Those repeated sentences "The previous owners never flooded before. We are at the highest point in the neighborhood." told me that it was not going to be good.
ReplyDeleteGreat slice, Katie. I was right there with you. I do live at the top of a hill. If I have water in my house (and not from frozen pipes), everyone else has already been swept away!
It definitely wasn't good. You live and learn though... Oh, and get a battery backup on the sump pump. Thanks for the comment!
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