Saturday, June 14, 2008

So Close Yet So Far


On June 3rd, 2008, not more than 15 miles away as the crow flies, a powerful tornado ripped thru the small town of Moscow, IN, destroying at least 13 homes and damaging countless others. This little hamlet of 84 people went thru the intense hell of literally having their lives changed forever by Mother Nature at her worst.

Annually this little burg held a celebration known statewide as the Moscow Covered Bridge Festival. Moscow was the home of the longest covered bridge in the state of Indiana, spanning 330 feet. On the night of June 3rd, this piece of history which stood the test of time for some 122 years was reduced to a pile of debris at the bottom of the river.

Clean up in the area has been going on for the past 11 days. If you don't live there or if you aren't involved in the clean up process, you aren't allowed in the area, for obvious reasons.

Personally, I've only been thru that bridge once in my lifetime, and it was during my childhood. I remember at that early age as my father and I drove thru the bridge that I was amazed at the sheer length this structure was. I couldn't imagine how anything so long could hold up to the weight of countless vehicles as they passed across this bridge.

Although no funds are available for the reconstruction of this amazing piece of Kennedy Brothers architecture, it is the desire of those Moscow residents to see this bridge restored and rebuilt. Hopefully this can be done and hopefully those who lost their homes and watched their town destroyed can also rebuild and start their lives over again.

As this destructive storm was occuring, here, just a handful of miles away, it was lightly raining and no wind was blowing to speak of. All you could hear was the occasional rumble of thunder to the south where the intense storm was occuring.

While watching the news on television about the storms my wife and I heard the shocking news that not only was the bridge gone but that the town was basically gone.

I don't understand God's plans at times but surely there was a reason for this to happen and hopefully over the course of time that plan will be revealed.

For now, our thoughts and prayers are with the folks of Moscow, IN.

1 comment:

Leigh Lundin said...

I just now saw the photos and article. Superb photos.

Two of Rush County's covered bridges have been destroyed by arson. In one case, some locals wanted a 'modern' bridge and couldn't abide by the Historical Society.

Gee, those hay wagons don't have to slow down now.