That was the reality for Jessica Marsh, a 29-year old mother of two who left her home in Austell, Ga. after the waters started to rise. Eight days of torrential downpours forced many Atlanta-area residents to leave their homes for fear of flooding. And by Monday, Sept. 21, many of their worst fears were realized.
But Marsh’s harrowing journey is but one example of how the community has banded together in a time of crisis. The flash flooding in Atlanta has reminded many that when all else fails, we have to band together.
Raymond Cole of Duluth offered to help tow vehicles and give rides to those that were heading to dryer land — or just higher land.
“It’s been bad for the past day or so,” Cole shares. “We’re just trying to keep the damage to a minimum and make it so everybody can ride this thing out.”
Everyone hasn’t been so lucky: a 2-year-old boy apparently drowned in a creek, two men died in separate incidents in Douglas County, which is west of Atlanta, and a woman died when her car was submerged and washed away in heavy waters. Nine deaths across metro Atlanta have been attributed to the flooding.
The rains are expected to continue but the worst appears to have passed. But as everyone works through this, the sense of camaraderie and decency that has resurfaced in the wake of hardship is humbling and hopeful. There have been many stories highlighting the ugliness that exists in the world and how financial hardship, political differences and racial tensions are threatening to pull communities apart at the seams. It’s inspiring to know that, underneath it all; there is still a shred of human decency left. –todd williams
