ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 7, 1996 TAG: 9609090031
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
BY MIDAFTERNOON Friday, residents of these parts were daring to hope they would be spared the worst effects of Hurricane Fran. It had pulled its punch as it headed inland from the North Carolina coast, but still carried enough rain and wind to cause at least a couple of deaths in Virginia.
There was danger that more lives would be lost as high water stranded hundreds of families in mountain hollows. And in the Roanoke Valley, more flooding was on the way. Scattered showers remained in the forecast, and runoff from mountain tributaries continued to swell the Roanoke River, which was not expected to crest until early today. The potential for serious damage remained.
But brilliant blue was breaking up the charcoal gray sky Friday afternoon, and fears of a repeat of the flood of November 1985 began to evaporate with the rain that had inundated drying streets and sidewalks. Whatever the storm's aftermath would bring in the late-night hours, at least the valley would not be caught unaware and unprepared.
Emergency planners are to be commended for that. With the advance warning that hurricanes allow, plus vivid memories of 10 lost lives and scores of ruined homes and businesses in 1985, localities in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas mounted a serious defense. Nothing was going to stop the rain and high winds, but preparation could limit the damage.
Evacuation shelters were set up, residents of low-lying areas were urged to leave their homes for higher ground, belongings were packed, store merchandise was removed, sandbags were filled, schools were canceled. The often-flooded SPCA scrambled to remove its animals to temporary shelter. Often-flooded homeowners watched rising waters and prayed. Emergency workers were put on alert, and emergency equipment put at the ready. The power company lowered the water level at Smith Mountain Lake.
As much as people can be ready to do battle with the overpowering force of nature, the region was ready this time. It was a well-concerted effort.
As serious a threat as overnight flooding remained, it could hardly match the devastation in North Carolina Friday - or the flash flooding that roared through this valley in 1985, catching everyone by surprise.
Lives have been lost, trees downed, roads blocked, buildings flooded. If hurricanes can be said to have any advantage over other destructive forces of nature, it is that, for the most part, people know they are coming.
Trackers may not know precisely when and where hurricanes will hit, or exactly how they will act once they land. But they come close enough to sound the alarm to all who might be affected. That takes a lot of the "flash" out of the mountains' treacherous flash floods.
Ultimately, nature's caprice has the most to do with how hard an area is hit. People's efforts are puny in the face of its power. But only the foolish fail to do all they can to protect themselves. Emergency workers and others have done what they could to keep Fran's damage to a minimum, and for that they are owed thanks.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB