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Flood Devastation in Gowanda
By Dan | August 15, 2009
For those of you who live in Western New York, I am sure that you know about the recent flood devastation. I live in Perrysburg, NY which is the town right next to Gowanda. Luckily our house only had a little leakage in the basement. However, the detrimental effect on our neighboring community will haunt many for years to come.
Between my visits to Gowanda this past Monday and Wednesday, I have heard many horror stories. One person awoke in the middle of the night to find water up to his knees. Another person’s house was lifted four feet off of its foundation. Forty homes in Gowanda alone were condemned. Here are a couple pictures from Monday morning right after the storm:
This car was forced off of the road and into the telephone pole.
The flooded Cattaraugus Creek.
The water came through Gowanda and was so powerful that it forced this car right off of the road and into the telephone pole. You can also see that the road is heaved up and that debris has filled the area.
This is the Cattaraugus Creek flowing by the Native American Reservation. Normally, this creek only has two feet of water in it. You can see the force of the tide as it gushes up against the bridge.
As you can see, this natural disaster has caused a lot of damage and loss in the Gowanda area. Another area that was hit hard was Silver Creek where my brother lives. Like us his house was spared with only a little water in the basement. However, many people were not so lucky. One whole trailer park was wiped-out and has been condemned. The former residents were able to go into their homes for twenty minutes with a garbage bag to collect their belongings.
When something as awing and unsettling as this happens, it is important that we take a moment to thank God for our wonderful blessings. We also should be truly humbled by the power that He holds with His ability to influence our lives. Dear Jesus, thank you for our lives and our blessings, and please help all of the people whom have been affected by this disaster. Amen.
Topics: Dan '13 | 3 Comments »
August 19th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Dan,
I really enjoyed reading your article. I Think you know my sister. I have not had much time to speak with her for the last ten days. She had 2 foot of mud in her driveway. 3 foot of water in her garage. She is a volunteer fireman and they have worked very hard during this crisis. Many people do not have homes. Some have loss everything. I think you last sentence sums it all up. Prayer is a very important at a time like this. Pray for those who have lost everything that the Lord will comfort them at this time.
God Bless and keep up the good work
August 20th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Dan,
Thank you for the information in your article. I especially am pleased to see young people relying on the power of God and influencing others to do so as well. Way to go! My thoughts and prayers are with all victims of the flooding in Gowanda, Silver Creek, etc., as are yours. Thanks Dan, and to all who are sending their prayers as well. God Bless!
October 21st, 2009 at 10:13 am
it was sooo devastating.. some of my friends live there and their houses were ruined.. so many people lost their basements and even their entire house. gowanda is still recovering from the flood. and it will take at least a year to fully restore gowanda from the flood.