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| The paddock in front of our house, and apple orchard beyond that - tall trees completely submerged! |
On Tuesday Hawke’s Bay suffered a devastating flash flood as a result of tropical cyclone Gabrielle. We were very lucky to have been just above the water. Our lovely neighbours were not. They lost their entire home, everything they own, and their beautiful cats too. Thankfully they and their poodle are safe staying with us now.
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| Our road completely blocked off. |
We will have no power for weeks and no water for months. And there are tens of thousands in the same situation! There have unfortunately been fatalities too. It is a real and tragic situation and I won’t be writing or posting for a while. I miss it already but we have immediate day-to-day priorities such as getting water, heating water, living without electric and everything that goes with that.
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| Our neighbours home 💔 |
But I just wanted to let you know I am okay because I have had a lot of thoughtful emails and messages, thank you.
xx Fiona
Oh no! I'm so glad that you're safe! Bless you for taking your neighbors in. Prayers for you all.
ReplyDelete~~MJ~~
Wow! This is devastating. Thinking of you and your neighbors and hoping your community is able to get back on its feet quickly.
ReplyDeleteFiona, I know I commented on your IG post about this, but just wanted to tell you again how sorry I am that you and your community are experiencing this. Here in Texas we have been devastated by hurricanes and floods several times and it never gets easier. But, your community will pull through and lots of humanity and love result from having to pull together. I will be praying for you and especially your neighbors, as you all try to get back to normal.
ReplyDeleteI’m so grateful God took care of you but am so sad for your neighbors. Praying for quick restoration in their lives and in your area. I know you’re helping those around you. This is unimaginable.
ReplyDeleteSending my thoughts your way, Fiona. Thanks for the update.
ReplyDeleteOh Fiona, I am so sorry for your neighbours, and the kitties, and happy you are safe.
ReplyDeleteMarie-Hélène
Oh, Fiona~ I will be praying for you and your neighbors and all impacted by this devastation. God bless you for taking in your neighbors. I hope you can make it a bonding adventure together as you figure out how to live in a truly unfamiliar, old fashioned way. I had not heard; thank you for letting us know that you are all right, though quite in the middle of a big trial. Many blessings and great hope,
ReplyDeletePaula
Fiona, I hope it provides some measure of comfort to know that so many of us are sending prayers and compassion your way. It is devastating for your neighbors to have lost their home and their precious cats. Take care.
ReplyDeleteLots of prayers being offered for you and all your neighbors, what a tragedy. You are so kind to assist your neighbors who lost everything.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this terrible time with us.
Dear Fiona, I am so sorry to hear about your plight, I know you will deal with it all and come out stronger because you are a very strong woman from what I’ve seen over the years. Take care and know that you are in our thoughts and if there is anything practical that we can do you have only to ask.
ReplyDeleteSending lots of good thoughts your way. Carol
I am so sorry. Such an unexpected and devastating loss. Sending thoughts and prayers your way through your recovery. I am so glad that you are safe.
ReplyDeleteHi Fiona, I sent you a private email last night or so to your howtobechic.com email address. Just checking in to see if you had any more news and hoping you are okay. Thinking of you and your husband and neighbors and sending positive thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteSending you my very best wishes. I lost my house and almost everything I owned in the devastating floods of 2011 and to a lesser degree in February last year. I know exactly how horrible it is. People will tell you it makes you stronger and maybe it does but it is perfectly OK to have a bit of a cry. I am a frequent visitor to the Napier region as love your part of the world. You are all in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your husband well. Stay positive. I'm glad you can help out your neighbours. Alll the best
ReplyDeleteSending good thoughts and prayers for you and your neighbors. How kind of you to help them...praying for better days ahead for you all !
ReplyDeleteFiona, I am so sorry! Please know that I will be praying for you and your husband to have strength and wisdom in these coming weeks and months. Please keep us posted as you can.
ReplyDeleteMalinda Banuelos
In Colorado
Keeping you and your neighbors in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteSending well wishes and the strength to endure to you all, take good care. Rita from Victoria
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