Providence has not been immune from the flooding that has hit so many other communities throughout Utah. It is one thing to watch it on the news, it's another thing to have it happening a couple of blocks from your house and effecting people you know and love.
Spring Creek is normally a small little stream and is occasionally completely dry. Not so right now. It is huge mess up Providence canyon, collecting rocks, branches and mud. The water travels through the South bench without any problems that I know of, but when it gets to Von's park it goes crazy.
The residents along the creek have been sandbagging and trying to be prepared for several weeks now. Last Friday, the water level started to raise and more sandbagging was done. Saturday was a little worse and Sunday the creek topped the riverbeds and sandbags. The Stake President called all the bishops to gather ward members and get up to the city sheds to load and place sandbags. That evening, they got some sandbags place across Center street since the water was starting to flow over the road.
Monday, it became apparent that the sandbags themselves wouldn't hold the flow of the water so large concrete barriers were brought in and sandbags were placed on top and along the lawn area. That evening, YSA family home evening groups from around the area showed up and helped fill and put up more sandbags. A secondary reinforcement set of concrete barriers were brought in and set up in fear that the first line wouldn't be able to handle it. Tuesday the secondary line was keeping e overflow from flooding down Center Street. They added several pipes to help channel the flow of the water and to try to save the road.
Unfortunately, the road is all breaking up, this end is falling into Erekson's backyard. There are so many big rocks and logs going through it that it is really amazing to listen to what is going through the pipe.
Frank Fuhriman checks out the barricade on Center Street in front of Watkin's home.
This tractor ended up in the creek. I use the water level on the tire to determine how the water is flowing. It has been up over the rim and lugnuts today.
This is the creek in front of Haderlie's, going over the road and eventually goes between Teare's and Leanne's house. The creek runs behind the houses at the East side of the subdivision behind us, turns and goes down behind Nate'shouse and on down to the drainage areas by the stake center. Many of the houses with basements on the East side on the subdivision have been getting water in their basements and have sump pumps going 24/7. It is such a worry for all of them.
Carol and I usually do a flood check every morning for our walk and then once or twice more during the day. It has been fun to get to see and visit with so many of our friends from our old 4th ward and so many others that have come to help out. Rob Alder got to be a hero yesterday morning. The water level was really high and getting alarmingly higher as it passed Erekson's house. Carol and I and all the neighbors who were there at that moment started sandbagging as quick as we could but it started to break away the driveway we there sandbagging. Rob got down and saw a big old log blocking the culvert and was able to get it pulled out. That saved the driveway and a few minutes later the city crew got there with the backhoe and pulled out a bunch of the rocks and branches that had built up there during the night.
We have been reminded once again that the things we collect in life have little significance and can be lost so quickly, but it is our relationships with our family and friends that bring us the greatest happiness.
Monday, it became apparent that the sandbags themselves wouldn't hold the flow of the water so large concrete barriers were brought in and sandbags were placed on top and along the lawn area. That evening, YSA family home evening groups from around the area showed up and helped fill and put up more sandbags. A secondary reinforcement set of concrete barriers were brought in and set up in fear that the first line wouldn't be able to handle it. Tuesday the secondary line was keeping e overflow from flooding down Center Street. They added several pipes to help channel the flow of the water and to try to save the road.
Unfortunately, the road is all breaking up, this end is falling into Erekson's backyard. There are so many big rocks and logs going through it that it is really amazing to listen to what is going through the pipe.
Frank Fuhriman checks out the barricade on Center Street in front of Watkin's home.
This tractor ended up in the creek. I use the water level on the tire to determine how the water is flowing. It has been up over the rim and lugnuts today.
This is the creek in front of Haderlie's, going over the road and eventually goes between Teare's and Leanne's house. The creek runs behind the houses at the East side of the subdivision behind us, turns and goes down behind Nate'shouse and on down to the drainage areas by the stake center. Many of the houses with basements on the East side on the subdivision have been getting water in their basements and have sump pumps going 24/7. It is such a worry for all of them. 
