La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

I have grown up in the Bow-Edison area. The rains over the weekend starting Nov. 12 was not the first time I have experienced flooding near my home. However, the extremity of the 24 hours overnight from Monday, Nov. 15 is something I have not endured before.

Never before have I seen neighbors wading through waist-deep water in their own backyards to lead their horses to safety. Nor have I seen a full size Greyhound bus tipped over in a ditch with over 20 people scrambling to evacuate. Last week I had a panoramic view of flood waters from my apartment window, making me feel like I was trapped on my own private island. The howling wind created waves and currents that made it look like the ocean. My home on the south end of Chuckanut Drive is perched atop a hill, safe from floods. However, the rest of my property, yard and parking lot, is submerged underwater leaving my dog nowhere to relieve itself.

I was completely stranded from everyone and everything. If I could have gone back in time and predicted when the flooding would start, I would have stocked up at the grocery store and taken my dog on a long walk. Tuesday Chuckanut Drive was closed to traffic, so I heard nothing but the strong wind. It was hard not to look outside and not feel claustrophobic.

This situation feels very similar to being in the 2020 nationwide quarantine. If I’ve learned anything from the past two years of living through the coronavirus pandemic, it is that time is precious. Playing board games, baking cookies and laughing with my partner is time I cherish and will continue to cherish.

Hang in there Skagit County, we will persevere and get through this together.