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Franecdotes for: February 6, 1997 The Territorial Dispatch 'Twas the week after Christmas And all through the towns We were planning a New Year Full of smiles and no frowns The stockings were emptied But twinkle lights glowed In the valley it rained... In the mountains it snowed The weather, as usual Was anyone's guess As the TV predicted A 'Pineapple Express' The Big Night was upon us .... When folks celebrate The chance to start new... Makes us feel really great Most cops were on duty... And totally vexed As they were dispatched... From one party to the next So the New Year arrived Despite parties and rain But what was to follow Gave us reason to complain "You must get in your cars, And get outta here!" Came the warning to all... The first day of the year So we packed what we could And we fled, helter skelter Toward ground that was higher... To seek out some shelter With ears glued to the radio We soon heard the worst The Feather River levee At Arboga had burst Heliocopters came by And saved a few folks Who hadn't heard warnings... (Or thought they were jokes) Evacuees were anxious And searching for news Of their families and friends... Of the stuff they could lose Sympathy was expressed With each word we could utter Then... disaster again In the county of Sutter Away through the levee It came with a crash While neighbors abandoned Their homes in a flash With small warning the water, So muddy and quick Destroyed people's homes... It just makes you sick Our wonderful valley Is filled up with crud... The mud and debris Of the '97 flood A miracle is ... Only three lives were lost But homes, pets and possessions Paid the ultimate cost The days of anxiety Seem blended to one And a month has gone by... A New Year's begun It's February now... And I'd just like to know Where in the heck did January go!!