Flash floods wreak havoc in areas of the park a couple of weeks after Isaias Leaving Florida when we did, we thought we might be escaping just ahead of the hurricanes. That was partly true. However, when Isaias was bearing down on Virginia shortly after our arrival, we had to question that belief. And when 2 weeks later, flash floods tore through the park after 9” of rain fell within 24 hours, we discovered we didn’t just have to watch out for hurricanes. In between the storms, we kept making progress on the cabins and planning for the upcoming Cabin Work Week.
Beaver Lake spillway with submerged pedestrian bridge at its base after flash flood. The water had receded several feet when this was taken. Rain, Rain, Go Away
We were busy at the group cabins, finishing up some minor painting in last year’s Appamattuck cabin site, when we got a phone call. “What are you doing?” Mark, one of the other hosts in the campground wasn’t asking us about our current project, but how we planned to weather Isaias now that the campground was closed. Closed? Were we planning on staying? Nothing in the forecast that morning had alarmed us, but the high winds in the forecast had prompted the closure. The hosts were allowed to stay and 3 of the four of us decided to do that. So, we had the rare privilege of having the campground basically all to ourselves. It was eerie and wonderful at the same time.
We were busy at the group cabins, finishing up some minor painting in last year’s Appamattuck cabin site, when we got a phone call. “What are you doing?” Mark, one of the other hosts in the campground wasn’t asking us about our current project, but how we planned to weather Isaias now that the campground was closed. Closed? Were we planning on staying? Nothing in the forecast that morning had alarmed us, but the high winds in the forecast had prompted the closure. The hosts were allowed to stay and 3 of the four of us decided to do that. So, we had the rare privilege of having the campground basically all to ourselves. It was eerie and wonderful at the same time.
Dave follows the blower clearing Isaias debris from park roads. Most of Isaias arrived – and departed – overnight that night. The park had some light debris on the roads that was cleared easily with a blower. So, rather than hunkering down the next day, we had a beautiful, breezy, low humidity day to work on the cabins. It was great. In the afternoon, we toured the campground by minibot and even took them all the way to the group cabins. We had the roads mostly to ourselves. By the end of the week, the campers were trickling back into the park, so we had to once again share it with them. It was only fair.
A couple of weeks later, the story was much different. Daily forecasts of heavy rain storms in isolated areas were becoming the norm. For the most part, they never materialized, or showered quickly and moved on. So, we were all caught by surprise when the torrential rain started early Saturday morning and didn’t ease up until Saturday afternoon. Although we were blissfully unaware in the campground, the rest of the park staff was scrambling.
A couple of weeks later, the story was much different. Daily forecasts of heavy rain storms in isolated areas were becoming the norm. For the most part, they never materialized, or showered quickly and moved on. So, we were all caught by surprise when the torrential rain started early Saturday morning and didn’t ease up until Saturday afternoon. Although we were blissfully unaware in the campground, the rest of the park staff was scrambling.
Swift Creek, which was dammed by the CCC to create the park’s Swift Creek Lake, was rising fast. Most at risk was the boat rental area, which is on a flood plain next to the water. As the staff scrambled to save what they could, the water rose from their ankles to their waists. Nothing more could be salvaged. The waters swept away 2 buildings along with canoes, kayaks, life jackets, and oars. Amazingly, all but 1 of the heavy paddleboats and the dock they were tethered to held fast. There were also several cars parked nearby from a scout group that was hiking the park. All but 2 were removed before it was too late. Those 2 did not fare well. The water rose above their roofs and then it pushed them around, leaving skid marks on the pavement.
Although the rain stopped in the afternoon, the waters kept rising. By that evening, the dam was at flood stage 3 with water up near the top on both sides of it, requiring constant monitoring. The smaller Beaver Lake, held by a spillway, had been overtopped, with water covering a pedestrian walkway at its base. The water found any way it could to flow as it collected throughout the park. The side road leading to the group camps had to be closed when the force of water flowing under it overwhelmed the CCC-built culvert and washed almost half the roadway with a huge sink hole. (This was especially deceptive, since the roadway surface looked as if the damage was only a few feet wide.) And for those leaving the park, the main routes were closed, forcing them – many pulling RV’s -- to find another way to go.
Damage to Powhatan trail On Sunday, we did some exploring on our own further into the park. We saw gullies dug into trails, vegetation flattened far away from the water, and huge trees downed. The river level was still high, flooding pedestrian bridges, a low-lying group campfire site and was still too high to reach much of the boat ramp area, including the 2 cars. There was a huge tree entangled in the bridge over Swift Creek, and the canoes and kayaks were lodged in trees. That was just what we could see. There was also serious damage to the bike trails on the north side of the park. Coming back from this will take quite a bit of work.
Cathy staining deck on Appamattuck cabin Cabin Work
Fortunately, the group cabins were undamaged by the storms. Although our route to get to them changed pretty dramatically. The Monday after the storm, we made our way down East State Park road, avoiding its new sinkhole. However, on our return, our way was blocked by plastic fencing and a locked gate, for which we had no key. A call to the park ranger gave us another way out using fire roads. A little bit bumpier, but our golf cart was easily able to make the trip.
Our work on the Group Cabins took two forms: physical work on the buildings in Appamattuck and Chickahominy, and planning for this year’s Cabin Work Week and other volunteer work on the cabins. Appamattuck was the focus of last year’s work. There wasn’t too much to do. The repairs made with new pressure-treated wood needed to be primed and painted. And all of the decks needed to be stained, especially the cabin nearest the lodge that had its boards replaced at the end of the season and the nurse’s cabin near the Dining hall. We power washed all of the decks and the shower house in preparations for staining and painting. We managed to finish priming and painting all the cabins and lodge and moved on to staining the decks, starting with the new deck on cabin 1.
Fortunately, the group cabins were undamaged by the storms. Although our route to get to them changed pretty dramatically. The Monday after the storm, we made our way down East State Park road, avoiding its new sinkhole. However, on our return, our way was blocked by plastic fencing and a locked gate, for which we had no key. A call to the park ranger gave us another way out using fire roads. A little bit bumpier, but our golf cart was easily able to make the trip.
Our work on the Group Cabins took two forms: physical work on the buildings in Appamattuck and Chickahominy, and planning for this year’s Cabin Work Week and other volunteer work on the cabins. Appamattuck was the focus of last year’s work. There wasn’t too much to do. The repairs made with new pressure-treated wood needed to be primed and painted. And all of the decks needed to be stained, especially the cabin nearest the lodge that had its boards replaced at the end of the season and the nurse’s cabin near the Dining hall. We power washed all of the decks and the shower house in preparations for staining and painting. We managed to finish priming and painting all the cabins and lodge and moved on to staining the decks, starting with the new deck on cabin 1.
Power washing cabin in Chickahominy In Chickahominy, we powerwashed all of the buildings. This was made easier with the purchase of a new electric powerwasher and several hundred feet of hose that allowed us to double-team the effort. We were then ready for a volunteer group to arrive to scrape and paint the weekend of (oops!) the flash flood. No problem, more will be coming.
In the meantime, we needed to work on the myriad of tasks for this fall’s event. We met with Dustin, Park Ranger in charge of Volunteerism, and ran through some ideas for activities and meals, as well as the project scope. We surveyed supplies left from last year, and placed orders for paint, primer and stain that we could use for volunteers starting now. We posted flyers for Cabin Work Week and responded to interested volunteers. With an eye to social distancing, we started looking at Weyanock, another group cabin site in the same area as Appamattuck and Chickahominy. This would give volunteers plenty of area to spread out and there was quite a bit of work to do there as well, which we documented in pictures.
Adam and Jayden enjoying pizza at a belated birthday celebration. Park Life
We were thrilled to get a visit from Adam and Jayden. We had a belated birthday celebration (with our first take-out in 5 months – pizza!), and on their return visit, Jayden learned to ride the minibots with grandpa. A week later, Bonnie and Troy and the kids arrived for a visit as well. Social distancing makes it a little hard, but it’s still great to see them and know they are well.
We were thrilled to get a visit from Adam and Jayden. We had a belated birthday celebration (with our first take-out in 5 months – pizza!), and on their return visit, Jayden learned to ride the minibots with grandpa. A week later, Bonnie and Troy and the kids arrived for a visit as well. Social distancing makes it a little hard, but it’s still great to see them and know they are well.
Now that we’re taking more showers in the RV, we were pleased that the Friends of Pocahontas SP purchased a new, larger portable waste tank. (Of course, Dave had some suggestions to guide the purchase.) We’ve used it several times now and it works great. The new one is towable with 4 sturdy wheels, has a larger capacity than the park’s old model, and has secure fittings that lock with our sewer hoses. Its only drawback is the height of the tank, but we accommodate that by setting it downhill from the RV. We picked this site with that in mind.
And our days are not only work. In addition to evening walks, we’ve taken some hikes through the park. Cathy has been collecting pictures of mushrooms of every color, which are thriving after all the rain.
And our days are not only work. In addition to evening walks, we’ve taken some hikes through the park. Cathy has been collecting pictures of mushrooms of every color, which are thriving after all the rain.
