The Library, like many downtown businesses, will be closed this Thursday and Friday due to an extraordinary amount of water heading our way. 

At the time of this writing, we believe that the river will carry 139 kcfs by nightfall. This wall of water, more than 38 feet high, moving the equivalent of 139,000 basketballs a second, has the power to flood the three or four blocks to the library in a matter of minutes.

Despite this, I wake up feeling optimistic. I believe the flood wall and, more importantly, the people in our community will hold back much of this torrent.  

Overnight, dam operators and engineers have calculated and recalculated to reduce the river's flow. They held back millions of gallons of water from farmers' fields and homes, while others sandbagged and moved earth to strengthen community defenses.  Hundreds of people worked long days for nearly a week to make things better, to save everything they could. This effort makes me incredibly proud to work in the Valley.

I know many people have already been displaced and affected by the event. I know the worst is yet to come. I also know from personal experience that it is less than desirable to stand in dirty water as the sump pump slowly reveals damage. Rebuilding is such a process.

Librarians are experts in very few things. But one thing we know is communities. We are truly Skagit Strong, and we will get through this together!

Sincerely,

Isaac