For a moment, she felt a terrible sense of helplessness.
Her entire harvest seemed to be moving.
The vines she'd tended for months disappeared beneath the flood.
And the wooden gate her father maintained so carefully shook beneath the force of the current.
The emergency personnel called for everyone to move to higher ground.
The young woman obeyed.
She didn't remain beside the gate trying to save berries.
She climbed the grassy bank toward the marked safe route while responders continued coordinating the warning and road closure.
The largest farmer had reached his truck.
The man in green stood beside him, pale and shaking.
The third farmer looked toward the water.
For several seconds, he seemed overwhelmed.
Then he turned toward the young woman.
"The lower bridge."
She looked at him.
"What?"
"There's a truck that uses it around noon."
The young farmer felt her stomach tighten.
The county road had been closed.
But the third farmer was talking about a private agricultural access road connected to the same low area.
She hadn't realized vehicles might still be using it.
The man looked toward the trees.
"My nephew hauls supplies through there."
The young woman reached for her radio.
She contacted the emergency coordinator and reported the concern.
The coordinator arranged for personnel to check the route without sending anyone into the flood path unnecessarily.
The third farmer stood beside her, listening.
For a moment, he seemed ready to run toward his truck.
The young woman stopped him.
"Don't drive down there."
He looked at her.
"My nephewβ"
"Let the responders check."
The older man hesitated.
Then nodded.
They waited.
The water continued rising below them.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Then the radio crackled.
The private access route had been cleared.
The truck driver was safe.
The third farmer covered his face.
For a moment, he seemed unable to stand.
The young woman placed one hand against his shoulder.
He looked toward her.
His eyes were wet.
Then he whispered.
"I'm sorry."
She didn't answer.
Not yet.
There was still too much happening.
The flood continued moving through the lower system for more than an hour.
The prepared storage area helped spread part of the release into the broad peat basin rather than allowing the entire volume to follow the narrow creek at once.