By: Brady Linkous

Heavy rain along the East coast lately has had a huge impact on Riner and the Auburn community, causing an early closure of school and two days cancelled due to flash flooding. Days of downpour after a drought have left roads inaccessible for days, even causing permanent damage to streets and homes. On Tuesday the 29th, the first day of mass flooding, school buses were unable to take many students to their homes despite the emergency early release.

Although no injuries were reported, a bus full of elementary school students had to be evacuated and a number of rescues took place across the area. The New River Valley swift water rescue team (pictured) was responsible for the safety of locals, many of whom lost their cars and even homes. Reports have come in across the New River Valley of basements swamped, yards ruined, gardens washed out, bridges collapsed, and possessions lost.

Pilot Road, Old Pike, Pig Path, and many other roads were flooded, shut down, and completely closed off, which forced buses and cars to find new routes or sink into the deluge. Some buses (which had no way around) either had to take the risk and try to trudge their way through, or let students off earlier than their intended stop, making transportation to the students’ homes difficult, as parents would be forced to pick them up in dangerous conditions or attempt to make contact and find temporary shelter for them.

One student, when asked ‘how did the flooding affect your route home?’ responded with ‘we had to go all the way through Floyd.’ Some could not even find an alternate path and were forced to stay with nearby friends or family. Students who drove themselves home (depending on the area they lived in) were often in the most danger. With only their own judgement to get them home, these students faced a lot of pressure, as did bus drivers, parents, and school faculty on that Tuesday.

This also resulted in the delay of Auburn’s homecoming. The game has been moved to Friday the 16th, while the dance will take place the next day. Homecoming court is to be announced and floats will be displayed at the Auburn pep rally on Friday. We encourage all members of the community to attend our game on the 16th and watch the Eagles take on Glenvar.

Although the effects of this historical flood still linger, life has continued as usual. Roads and driveways are being repaired and houses are being rebuilt. Everything is replaceable, but this might not be the case if a life was lost. Thanks to the rescue squads that worked diligently to keep us out of the water and get our children home safe, everything should be back to usual in a matter of weeks. They have earned our respect and thanks for their actions in this catastrophic event.