"It was a churning ocean, waves rippling across the front of the restaurant. Debris was everywhere. The water was getting closer and closer. The wind was howling and our car was shuddering with each fierce gust."

Myra and Harry knew to keep a watchful eye with the storm approaching. Only three years had passed since the marsh across the street flooded, totaling their Camry. Half an hour before high tide, all was calm when suddenly water cascaded over the curb, pouring into their driveway.

At that moment, Myra and Harry decided to make a run for it to save their car. While the roads were already flooded, they were able to start their car and navigate through the flood waters. They planned to seek higher ground in the Mattakeese Restaurant's parking lot but that option disappeared as it too was under water.

"The water still looked pretty high, but we thought we’d try it, even though Harry only had shoes on. It was so hard to walk – Harry with his cane, sloshing in the cold water."

They found a safe place to park and after waiting in their car for 3 hours, they decided to return home. The walk back was a choir as they slogged through the flooded streets to return home to no power. 

Cold and tired, they doubled back to their car. With so many flooded roads, and so many people also trying to find higher ground, it was a challenge but they eventually made their way to safety. 

"We've learned to keep a bag packed and ready to grab as you run out the door. Make sure you have your cell phone too."

After spending the night at a hotel, they returned home to learn their power had been restored but the flood waters had destroyed most of their electronics and appliances. But they were quite lucky as their next door neighbor's home was too badly flooded and has since been torn down. A new home is being rebuilt that is 13 feet above the original foundation.

Myra and Harry have no plans to leave their Cape Cod home but do hope that work soon begins on the ocean side restoration process that is supposed to help alleviate tidal flooding. But they know that there's little chance of that happening before the next major storm comes through, so instead they're living in hope that the next storm isn't worse. 

Is climate change having an impact on your life? We'd love to hear your story. Let us know by sending an email to capecod@350ma.org.