It has been stormy with heavy rains for the last two days. In spite of the downpour the Japanese and USAFFE are fighting it out across the Jaro River, about 10 km (7 miles) from town. The fighting continued all day and far into the night.
Considering the circumstances, we rested fairly well, until I heard the sound of rushing water! I immediately called out to Coné and jumped out of bed, only to put my feet in several inches of water! The water rose rapidly, and we had to rush to save some things on the floor. One of Dorothy’s trunks was forgotten until the water was almost two feet deep. Most of its contents had belonged to her father and mother and were precious to her.
The beddings and other articles were brought upstairs. Mattresses were placed on the floor. We were upstairs for about 1⁄2 hour, when the Japanese sentry began shooting. There was no response, so we knew there were no USAFFE soldiers around. The menfolk did not sleep anymore that night, but watched the water level. By around 5:00 a.m. the water rose to three feet!
Dolly’s piano is downstairs and this is the third time it had been wet this year and this is the worst flood we’ve had. Last year we only had one flood.
These floods would not happen if the dike of the Jaro river was repaired but, of course, everything is at a standstill. There is no more electric light, running water or telephone, and nobody really keeps house anymore. It’s just like camping – if one can get enough to eat and a place of safety, that is all we ask.