Chapter 8

The Canadian evacuation went smoothly, but slowly, into the night. People were loaded onto buses, planes and trains as the weather closed in. Heavy rain was already causing localised flooding, and sea defences on the east coast were being tested to their limits.


When the news broke over the USA, the weather was already terrible. With no advance warning, people took to the highways and tried to head south or west. This led to chaos on all forms of transport. The National Guard were very thin on the ground at this early stage, and the police were completely overwhelmed.


The rain fell heavier over Rutland, Michigan. Michael leaned against the sill of the window, looking up at the grey, threatening sky, oblivious to the warnings. The Markowitzes had never had a television. "Seems we're in for some weather!" he said jovially to Della.

"Yes. I'm beginning to wish I had gone with Alon!"

Thunder roared, and forked lightning filled the dimming sky. It was darker than usual for the time of day. The rain grew heavier, and it became difficult to see the houses on the other side of the cul-de-sac. Michael said a quiet prayer to himself, and jumped off the window sill.

"Why don't you listen to the radio?" asked Della. "There might be a weather report on."
"Right-o!" said Michael.

Della smiled at his mock English accent. "I'll make us some tea."


Della was boiling the kettle when there was a popping sound. The lights, now very necessary, went out, and the low whir of the tumble dryer in the utility room ceased. Michael hurried into the kitchen, and fumbled under the sink for the candle lanterns. When he lit one, it glowed eerily in the dark, and a sense of foreboding filled Della's heart.

Michael saw her face and smiled, comfortingly. "Hang tight, honey. I'll be in the basement."

He opened the small door in the corner of the kitchen and descended down the stairs. He got a cold shock as about three steps from the bottom he felt the icy cold water that filled the bottom of the basement.

"Well, this could be a problem!" he said quietly, and whispered another short prayer. The fuse box was high on the wall, and on opening it he found all the circuit breakers in the on position. He snapped a few on and off to check, but now knew that the problem was with the grid, not the house. He headed back up.


Della noticed the wet legs of Michael's trousers. "What?" she asked.

"Just a bit of a flood down there. You know, all this rain has to go somewhere!" He tried to sound cheerful. He shut the basement door when he heard the gushing sound of more water running in. Della did not notice. Michael went into the hall and tried the telephone. It was dead. He tried his own cellphone, but it did not have a signal. He went back to the kitchen, trying not to look worried.

"I found these," said Della, and held up some batteries she had found for the radio.

"Great!" said Michael, fumbling them into the radio.
"It's at times like this I wish we had a TV!" said Della, joking.

"Like you can put batteries in a TV!" said Michael, joking too.

He put the batteries in and played with the tuner. When he found Radio Michigan, he and Della listened intently to the report.

"Welcome back to Livetime! With Richard Carron. We're continuing to use this station to make broadcasts to the people of Michigan in the current crisis. Severe weather is expected to continue, and it is expected that there will be severe flooding in the Great Lakes area. If you can easily travel, you are advised to leave and head south east for Indiana. If you cannot easily travel, please stay where you are, and you will be picked up by the national guard. There is no reason to panic, this is purely a preventative measure. If you live in any of the following areas, please do not attempt to leave the area. If possible, gather with friends or relatives in nearby homes. Keep people together. If you can, head for houses on higher ground. Please do no attempt to leave. Lakes Huron and Michigan have flooded, as have the surrounding rivers. The roads are blocked to all but specialised vehicles. Listen for your area, and obey the instructions. Here is the list; the entire greater Detroit area, as far as Ann Arbor; Port Huron, Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, Standish, Tawas City, Alpena, Cheboygan, The Lake Islands, Petosley, Traverse City, Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington, Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Hastings, Greater Muskegon, Holland, Benton Harbor, St Joseph, and Niles. Lake Superior is currently not flooded badly but is expected to follow Huron and Michigan. So listeners north of St. Ignace can head for Wisconsin, and receive further instructions there. Please do not try and enter Canada. Her borders are closed."

The man began the message again. Michael put his hand on his wife's.

"They said Hastings!" she said. It was their nearest town. "What are we going to do?"

"Like the man said, we wait for the national guard." Michael spoke calmly. He sighed as he could hear the water rising in the basement. He was going to suggest moving, but was startled by an almighty crash from the front yard. He ran to the window, and even though visibility was very poor, he could make out his car, now floating away from the house. His heart sank. He tried to fight his fear, and took a deep breath.

"Okay, Della. Come on! We pack up what we need and go upstairs."
Della responded well to Michael taking leadership of the situation, and filled a plastic box with food and medicines, while Michael filled another with bottled water from the fridge. They retreated upstairs to their bedroom, now wet to the ankles.
"At least Alon is away from all this!" said Michael.
"He'll be worried!" said Della.

"I know."

"Are we going to be okay, Michael?" asked Della. She sounded like a frightened child.

"Of course, honey!" said Michael, cheerfully. "The National Guard will be here in no time. You might get a ride in a hummer. Or even a helicopter!" said Michael.
Della laughed, nervously. "Alon will be sorry he missed this!"