So, I’m a bit late posting this since we appear to be out of the woods, so to speak. Yesterday, we went through some preparation for the ice storm forecast. That included saving back some water and storing the pictured wood in the garage for easy access.
Last year, we converted our gas fireplace back to burn wood again in anticipation of another ice storm that didn’t really materialize. The thought behind this was that we could live through a day or two without power if we could keep a fire burning.
We went to great lengths to protect the water lines underneath the bathroom. I never dreamed the water lines for the kitchen, protected by a sub-basement, would cause any problems. Boy, was I wrong. The photograph below doesn’t look too bad, but imagine it filled with books and important papers. Luckily, this area was mostly filled with things we were probably going to discard anyway (or might have kept, but probably didn’t really need) and old version of books that I’ve since updated.
A soaked bookshelf beneath the kitchen sink.
Still, there were definitely a few heartbreakers in here. This is a partial pile of them. There will be more to succumb, I’m sure, but I’m holding out hope.
Mass grave for the victims of tonight’s disaster. There will probably be more but some books were wet only at the edges. Sometimes, those will pull through.
The first thing I saw when I went downstairs was my old TRS-80, still in its original box. It was completely soaked. I have contemplated many times getting it out and taking it for a spin, but I’ve never gotten around to it. I thought this would make the decision for me, but the electronics inside seem untouched.
The TRS-80 looked like it was ruined as it was sitting right underneath the leak. Miraculously, the box was soaked but nothing inside was touched. I guess they made better cardboard back in the old days.
There was a bright spot, though, for at least one person in the family. While we were cleaning up, Julian discovered Alex’s abandoned toy room in the basement. Even if that area had gotten wet, it wouldn’t have caused any long-term damage except to the carpet remnants.
Alex’s abandoned basement toy room.
Anyway, Julian scavenged a couple of new Batman toys and brought them upstairs to play. I have a feeling he’s going to want to visit again soon.
The prognosis? Michelle called a plumber who also happens to be our neighbor. He’s on-site in Branson right now and hasn’t slept for two days. Apparently, pipes have been bursting all over the Ozarks. The earliest he can stop by will be Saturday and that’s not a definite. Fortunately, we have a shutoff valve for the water lines going to the kitchen so we’re not completely without water for the house.
