Seguin sees second flood in two months

Seguin sees second flood in two months
    For the second time in a little over two months, flood water raged down Geronimo Creek and into Seguin's Elmwood subdivision in the early morning hours Monday.
    It was almost like a replay of the June 13 flood, only this time worse.  According to most residents the waters reached or exceeded levels seen in the devastating flood of May 1972.
    Residents had been keeping close tabs on the weather as a tropic depression pushed onshore along the coast and started dumping torrential rains over South Texas.
    On Sunday, when Mike Harborth of Geronimo gave a crest reading of 16 feet on Geronimo Creek north of Seguin, residents knew for sure that it was time to evacuate.
    Geronimo Creek drains a large watershed around the community and others north of Seguin and the 7 plus inches of rain in the area caused it to swell out of its banks and rage on through the subdivision.
    On Monday morning, the scene in Elmwood was one of cleaning up; ripping out ruined carpeting, sheet rock and other damaged furnishings resulting in losses of many thousands of dollars.
    At the home of Buddy Lindeman, a fire was discovered in the garage during the moving out process.  The fire was quickly extinguished said David Lindeman, and no one is sure what caused it.
    The highest report Lindeman heard from Harborth at Geronimo was 17.8 feet at approximately 2:30 a.m. Monday morning.
    The Lindemans have lived at their home at 537 Arlington since 1968.  In the June flood this year, they experienced some seepage, but this time they had about a foot of water in the house.
    Elmwood resident Keith Hutson obtained trucks from Hexcel Corporation for use in moving furniture.
    Mark Westerholm enlisted help from Texas Lutheran College students and was back in the area with those volunteers later on Monday, helping with the cleanup.
    Many residents were still in the process or had just finished repairs from the June deluge.
    Mr. and Mrs. Harry Boos had about five feet of water in their house.  They had just finished installing $1,900 worth of cabinets, but Boos estimated it did do $15,000 to $20,000 in damage to the entire home.
    The couple has lived at 671 Monticello for the past six years.
    "Two times in two months is too much," Boos said. "We weren't finished cleaning up from the last flood."  
    Fortunately, most of their furniture was still in storage, but they had put in new appliances.  On their carport, flood waters washed away a brand new refrigerator, leaving an old one they used as a spare.
    At the home of Joyce and G. W. Hales, their daughter Nancy was dragging pieces of ruined carpet out to the curb.  The carpet was all new.  The Hales had lived in their home for six years.
    Looking down at the lush green of the lawn, now covered by a layer of gravel, she commented, "The neighbors driveway is now in our yard."
    At 643 Monticello, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Berger, the entire back wall of the garage was knocked out by the torrents of water.
    "We had just finished painting that wall.  It was ruined in June," Berger said.  Inside, brand new carpet, paint and wallpaper showed the effects of almost six feet of muddy water in the house.
    "We finished putting up the wallpaper on Thursday," commented Anita Berger.  "And the carpet is a month old."  Better than a half inch of mud covered the chocolate brown floor covering.
    The Bergers moved into their home in 1979.  "It's a nice place to live, when it doesn't flood," said Berger, "but every two months is too much!"
    The couple was making preparations for a "thank you" party they were going to have for all those who helped them in the June disaster.
    Kelton Lange has lived at 1947 Mt. Vernon for the past 16 years.  His home was the victim of some seepage in June, but this time he had 10 inches of water in the house.
    "It came up faster than we thought," he said, pointing out the partially rolled up water soaked carpet in the living room.  The sand bags Lange had tried did little good.
    "It just seeped right through them."
    "We've been through it all," he said "And this may be the last.  I'm getting too old to enjoy this sport.  I've had about all this enjoyment I can stand."
    Lange's predicament is shared by neighbor Harry Boos, who says, "Who would buy this house if we were trying to sell?"
    Losses are covered by the National Flood Insurance, but it never seems to be enough and it only covers losses inside the four walls of the dwelling, not outbuildings or other structures.
    There were many volunteers helping Elmwood residents evacuate their belongings.  There were also many on hand helping with the clean up and providing food.  Boos expressed "heartfelt thanks to those folks who helped."
    About 4 a.m. when the waters started receding many went to homes of friends and family to get a few hours of sleep before sunrise and the complete view of the devastation.
Seguin Gazette, September 1, 1981

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