Hang On, Hellbenders...

All things considered, we're doing pretty well.  We sustained minimal damage and are very fortunate that nothing major transpired here.  I look at pictures from New York City and my heart goes out to them.  I used to live there and know that despite the tough exterior and bravado, the City can be a fragile place.

Although we've been blessed, not everyone in the area has been so lucky.  The recent drought conditions combined with all the heavy rains has caused some heavy flooding.

Gentle creeks have swollen ten times their normal size and rush rapidly.  A few of the local bridges have been closed, because they're submerged.

 

While I was driving along the detour, snapping pictures when it was both safe and convenient to stop, I thought about the hellbenders.  I've mentioned them before on the blog and how the creeks in the area are home to the rare giant salamander.  It's one of the few places in the world where they are breeding in the wild.  The water has to be pristine and be slow-moving.  So along with everyone else... hang on, hellbenders!