Monday turned out to be a good day weather-wise ... after the rain stopped at approx 430am ... there was nothing in the main part of the city (just south in the mountains).  But then all hell broke loose at mid-night.  We have had non-stop downpouring ever since.

The swimming pool in the back yard has been close to overflowing several times over the last 4 days (then it pumps itself down).  Tonight (er, this morning ... its 415am) ... it can't keep up.  Looks like it will overflow any minute.  I'm not too worried about it as it is about 1.5 feet below the house level.

*** I will be posting this in pieces ... so watch this blog ... it will grow over the next 30 minutes.

Decy went to the store yesterday to stock up on supplies.  She said it was a zoo there.  Lots of people hoarding water, dried noodles, and other supplies.  Of course, Decy was there to do the same ... she couldn't find any more 2 liter bottles of water so bought 20 cases of the smaller stuff. Plus, she bought a bunch of other things.  It took about 4 hours to go to "Walmart".  Then, she sent the driver on a "search and destroy mission" ... he stalked a bottled water truck for miles.  When it stopped he went and negotiated for some big water dispenser bottles.  Decy says we now have enough water in the big bottles for 1 week ... plus the 20 cases ... just in case (no pun intended).

At the store there were problems with the computers and many debit and credit cards weren't working (checks are a rarity here due to the ease of forgery).  Thankfully, Decy was thinking ahead and brought cash (that she had taken out of the bank last Friday).

Speaking of cash, our Indonesian internet banking has been up and down for days due to the flooding .... this morning it appears completely down.  A local branch of the bank is only about 10 minutes away and more or less on high ground.  I'll probably send Decy to go pay some bills and get some more cash out.

Not sure where we are on gas for cooking ... I think we are fine. But need to check on that today (we buy bottled gas).  I've also reminded Decy to keep the cars full of gas.

As for school, late yesterday JIS advised they would be open today.  Of course, that was before tonight's downpour.  One of the JIS campuses is having all kinds of problems - water has been cut off and they are TRYING to truck in water.  They are asking kids to bring bottled water to school.   The girls' campus hasn't asked that ... but Decy is going to give the girls some water just in case.

A number of people at work (expat and Indonesians) are having problems.  One Indonesian family had to be rescued from the 2nd floor of their house.  Had another co-worker call me from home ... their home was ok, but flooding is so bad they can't get out.  Even had some expat co-workers not doing so well .... with sewage starting come out backwards from the toilets and drains.

We are very blessed in this house.  Although the process of finding and leasing it was difficult ... and we lost several before we got to this point ... God was clearly watching over us.  We are in a good sub-division, it has stable water and electricity.  Its elevation relative to the rest of the area is good.  We are not near any drainage ditches, culvert, rivers, etc.  And, the house is about 4 feet above grade .... just in case.

It would not surprise me if we closed the office today.  If we do ... then we will activate the warden system ... and I have to call 55 people on my list ... that will take 2-3 hours (again).  So, if they wait much longer ... I won't be able to reach everybody before work time.  On the other hand .... yesterday we told people to "use their best judgement" RE coming to work or not ... and we just might leave it at that.  I am certain that a lot of people won't make it to the office today.

As per the press, there are now (yesterday) ~350,000 out of their homes ... with 25 dead.  Tonight's rain will raise the numbers.  Lots of finger pointing right now RE who's fault is this.  Obviously, weather has a lot to do with it.  Sadly, the local culture has brought a lot of this on themselves.  I recall in December when I went to south of town to Jatiluhur (where much of the rain is coming from).  I saw one of the reservoirs - and I saw some places were "deforestation" had taken place.  I specifically remember looking at it and thinking that it would be very flood prone as there is nothing to catch the rain ... and no grass has been planted .... and now here we are.

Some people are blaming the flooding on the rich (building big houses in the water catchment areas). Some people are blaming it on "too many malls" ... meaning large buildings that take up precious soil that could have absorbed rain water.

The city has talked and tried to build canals to divert the water.  There is a major one they have talked about for years ... but they say that the land is "too expensive" to buy ... so they can't build the canal.  Guess what they are saying is it cheaper to let people get flooded out every year ... and some to die - - there is much that I could blog on RE thoughts about life and death for Indonesians ... but that will have to be another day.

Pool is definitely overflowing ...

Well, I better close for now ... have some things to take care of.

ciao ciao