Opinion: Tragedy brings out the best in people

Dear Editor,

When barking dogs in the middle of town woke up last Tuesday morning it was still dark. The heavy rain had nearly stopped. My wife got out of bed and looked out behind our house and in a frightened voice called out to me, “Doug, we’ve got water.”  

I scrambled out of bed and made my way to the utility room, and looked out on dirty brown water half way up the rear tires of our van parked in our driveway. By the time I found an old pair of sneakers, my wife had pulled our vehicle up near the street and driven our mower out of our flooded garage.  

I joined her in the murky water and we hurried to move what we could to relative safety. All the while we worried about the water inching up towards the top step leading to the lowest level of our home.  

Our hearts were in our throats as we re-lived the horror we experienced just over seven years ago, when Tropical Storm Lee devastated the entire Susquehanna River Watershed.  

Only those directly affected can appreciate the gut wrenching fear that consumes you when confronted with predictions of flash flooding and heavy rain sufficient to send rivers into populated areas. They know the helpless feeling that comes with the knowledge that no matter how hard you work or how much help you have, you can’t win against that dirty water.  

When the water goes down, there’s the mud that coats everything from the grass and flowers, driveway and sidewalk, to the walls and everything in between.  Remember to empty the refrigerator and the freezer first. Throw everything out.  Get used to that. It is an odd, sick feeling when you see your entire accumulated life piled up on the street and overflowing into your driveway.

Practically speaking, we lost everything on the first floor of the house, the garage and anything on the ground outside that wasn’t “nailed down.” (We moved everything out of the basement years ago.) 

Huge numbers of others have experienced the same thing. The multitudes of volunteers from every corner of the country who unselfishly help rebuild and restore are “heaven sent,” as are neighbors and family members who “pitch in” to help individuals and families however they can.  

This is a truly amazing thing and so “unlike” what passes for “normal” conduct today. That is the only really good thing that comes from a tragedy like this. It seems to bring out the best in people. (Not all people, maybe, but a lot more than you might think.)

Sincerely,

Douglas Graves

Tioga Center, N.Y.