It’s been heartwarming and humbling for me to witness the heroism of friends, neighbors and total strangers as a frontline participant to what many are referring to as the “The 1000 Year Flood”.
To stand beside a neighbor that I barely know and hear him talk about rescuing two other neighbors neither he nor I knew, is surreal (see attached video). These poor souls I’m referring to were clinging for their lives to the entrance of our subdivision gate after a surge from a local dam break released millions of gallons of water down-stream, immediately creating whitewater rapids that swept through parts of our neighborhood. The picture you see in this post above is about an hour and a half after the incident.
Sadly, there have been eleven deaths as of this morning in the Columbia, SC area. My heart goes out to these individuals and their families as they deal with this tragic loss of life of their loved ones. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.
Three hundred roads and one hundred seventy bridges are closed in our community. Thousands are without electricity and water. The good news is that almost all are safe. The loss of valuable material possessions is sad, but I noticed smiles on the faces of many of the people who were dragging ruined belongings from their dwellings. I saw smiles on the faces of those assisting in the task. People are putting down their smart phones and getting to know each other – not virtually but actually!
For a while at least, we’ll forget the things that divide us and celebrate the things that unite us – we’re all humans in need of water, food, shelter, relationships, love…..and most of all each other!
(Please click on this link to find out how you can help)
#scflood
Bill Edmonds is an “Outside-Insider” (an Executive Coach and Consultant), who works with leaders to help them reach their full potential in the areas of organizational and personal development. He spent 24 years with Merrill Lynch until his retirement in 2014, where he led a $100+ million per year revenue wealth management business unit as a Director with the firm.
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