At 6:00am this morning the sirens were sounded.

A community just barely on the road to recovery after Hurricane Irene is once again under siege. With just 2 inches of rainfall recorded this morning, signs of flooding are evident around the area. Reports of an additional 3-6 inches today have many officials concerned. So concerned that residents in areas prone to flooding are once again being directed to evacuation shelters.

Clearly, with an introduction like that, some squelched emotions from last week are resurfacing. Perhaps it is best to just share some pictures, wander away from the news and play with some dye…

A collection of photos from August 28th can be found HERE - The rainy day pictures were taken around 11:00am on Sunday while we took a walk around the neighborhood. After the traffic ban was lifted on Monday we ventured a little further to survey the area and collect some ‘day after’ images. Please note, with great respect to those who lost their homes, every effort was made to avoid capturing images of personal property.

Rather then bombard you with images I will just share a video along and after image to give some perspective on the events of the day.

Taken on Lower High Street in Phoenicia around 11:30 on Sunday:

Taken on Lower High Street Monday morning:

Having taken a moment away from the keyboard and allowing for a few moments of reflection – I was reminded of the direction I had hoped this post would take – it was to be one of thanks, appreciation and optimism. Thanks to all the emergency responders and volunteers who to this day are still digging folks out of river mud, appreciation for true friends in time of despair, and extreme optimism for the future of our community.

Rather then delete or reword this mornings first draft I decided to let it ride. After all, ‘there can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm’ *

*John Heyl Vincent