Feedback Essay Contest
First Prize: The Effect of Installing Watertight Gate using Grant from the Government
Author: Li-Fay, Lu

Quoted from the construction and planning Agency ( CPA)

We were not so familiar with the neighborhood after we moved here a year.
It was a Friday in July, 2008 when the typhoon Kalmaegi struck Taiwan. Before
the sun came out, we heard the rain as if there was a tank up in the sky. That day was also the fifth day I came back home form a surgery. I was very weak. My husband happened to be away on a business trip, but my three kids kept me company. The eldest was only in 7th grade, the others were in elementary school.

7 a.m. in the morning, the community became clamorous becase everyone was surprised. The basement was flooded! My kids followed m down the basement to see sand bags piling up on the driveway ans the water kept pouring in. Our neighbors wondered if we should move the sand bags away and drive out the cars. But then the water would rush down the basement once the sand bags were removed!

I stepped into the rising water, looked up and saw the stormy sky. Where should I drive my car to? I was not familiar with the neighborhood. How could I save our cars? It was so difficult to find a solution to a problem like this especially when I am all alone here.

Eventually, I started the engine and followed my neighbor’s cars out the basement. I grasped the steering wheel tightly, and felt worried that the car might be stalled. The water splashed when the wheels went through. I drove
all the way out and saw the neighborhood was also flooded as if it was ocean.
Where should I go? I followed the other cars and finally found a place to park.

It was still raining heavily when I walked back home. There were things floating on the water. One of my slippers was lost along the way. Suddenly, It struck me that we still have two scooters in the basement.

When I finally got back, the water reached my knee and it is higher than the tailpipe of the scooters. I was afraid that the scooters might be submerged, so I tried to push them out, away from water, but the water wouldn’t stop rushing in!

“ Why isn’t there anything to block the water/” I cried to myself.

There was no one at the basement now. I felt tired and weak. It is hard for me to move forward. At the thought of my kids, I got myself together and wiped off the water and tears on my face. Luckily, a stranger helped me and pulled the scooters out of the basement. I was so thankful!

The whole incident was so scary. Not to mention how much it cost us to repair the vehicles. Few days later, our boro president informed us that we could install watertight gates to prevent water from entering the basement. What’s more, it is really good to know that we could aply for the government grant for them. After the procedure of reporting, receiving approval, installing, examining and operating for several times, we have a lifeguard! Well goes the saying, “ An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It is important to prevent water from entering the basement and the elevator because we need to save our property. After installing the watertight gate, there is no need for panic again.

The day when the typhoon Morack struck Taiwan, I was not worried because I know the tragic happened the year before would not happen again. I looked out the window, saw the heavy rain and know that my car and scooters would be safe, and I would not have to fight the water ever again.

Now, every time when there is a typhoon or it rained heavily, the guard will observe and decide whether he should assemble the watertight gate. I don’t’ want to sound flattering, but this invention really helps reduce the loss of property and saves lives!
Were not for the kind stranger who helped me at the basement, I could have passed out at that time!  After we went through the crisis, we understand perfectly how the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) cared about us. The MOI provides us exactly what we need. We are so thankful!