Ruin and Rescue in Appalachia's Floods ; Ivan Brought Western North Carolina Worst Floods in 64 Years

Patrik Jonsson Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Monitor

As the waters rose Friday morning, Dot Townsend knew she was in a heap of trouble.

Stuck in her little brick ranch house as the Linville River breached its banks under hurricane Ivan's deluge, she watched as doors and propane tanks sailed past her window, swept along by dark waters that sometimes funneled into huge waves. Sitting on the soaked sofa, comforted only by her poodle, Peaches, she whispered prayers.

As daylight came, volunteer fire crews tried to reach Ms. Townsend twice, using large trucks, but had to back out of the current. Finally her nephew, J.C. Hartley, could stand it no more: Against officials' protests he waded out, up to his chin in …

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Publication information: Article title: Ruin and Rescue in Appalachia's Floods ; Ivan Brought Western North Carolina Worst Floods in 64 Years. Contributors: Patrik Jonsson Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor - Author. Newspaper title: The Christian Science Monitor. Publication date: September 2, 2004. Page number: 1. © 2009 The Christian Science Publishing Society. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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