The Coast Guard (etc) are airlifting people out of the nearby Independence Valley and depositiing them in the grocery store parking lot a few blocks from me.

We literally became an island about 4 p.m. yesterday, simply because no one can get out of the area except by boat or air. A friend of my sister's called to ask if she could stay with her because she couldn't get home, but she never got there. After three hours parked on I-5, she said her cell phone was dying and she didn't have a charger in her car.

The levee near the Chehalis River has either broken or the water just went over the top. Authorities are estimating that the water on top of the pavement of I-5 is twelve feet deep.

A coworker called and said water was knee-deep all around her brother's house. She said they didn't know it flooded there. (duh! You're in the flood plain, dummies!)

The hospital is an island, and they're running out of supplies. I assume that the National Guard or something could get stuff to them if they asked. The only way in or out is by air. Fortunately, the flood hit on my sister's days off, for which she is extremely grateful.

The coastal town of Aberdeen is totally cut off, partly flooded, and 90% of the homes are without power.

We are high and relatively dry here. Power on, water running. The temp is 56F, so at least cold isn't much of an issue if you're dry.

Sue