“Still water runs deep.”
Actually, there was water still running into the railroad underpass, but it didn’t look that bad.
With only slight hesitation, we proceeded forward in the car. Problem is, we didn’t come out on the other side, actually just a few feet from where the low set vehicle entered.
Water rolled up on the hood while the car sputtered and died as we became stranded in floodwaters. Instant attempt to start the dead vehicle brought nothing, and follow-up cranks yielded the same.
Gawking out the window, we knew the water was more than a foot deep, maybe twice that much, although we didn’t step out in our good clothes to verify it.
People in a couple of cars stopped to provide assistance, which was appreciated. But, we’d already called both children heading opposite directions a dozen miles from where we’d become flood bound.
They arrived shortly, and the boy in his pickup with a chain figured out a way to latch onto the car, pulling us to higher ground. Additional efforts to start the vehicle were to no avail.
With more downpours, heavy clouds, dusk minutes away, the car was towed five miles home, manipulated inside the barn, key turned while battery weakened.
Up early the next morning, the engine still wouldn’t turn over, and we felt fortunate to have a pickup for backup transportation. By noon, the car with minimal crackling started and ran, to be checked out by the mechanic. Drying this, that or other parts and changing the watered down oil, plus additional manipulations later in the week assured our car’s survival.
Thankful for that, we are reminded just how hazardous flood waters can be. Reports of drowning are not completely uncommon during similar situations, as drivers of stalled vehicles in high water are swept away when they get out seeking assistance.
Seemingly no end what harm ravaging torrents can do. Even when ranchers are mending washed out flood gaps, a typically simple task can become mortal in certain circumstances.
Reminds us of Joshua 3:16: “The waters which came down from upstream stood still.” Thus, Second Corinthians 11:26: “I have been in danger from floods.” Therefore, Luke 16:6: “Take thy caution.” Then, thankfully, Psalm 66:12: “We went through floods, but now you have brought us to a place of safety.”
+++ALLELUIA+++