Family prepares to lose store too after home fell into Blue Earth River

Losing the land itself with no hope of rebuilding is a crushing blow. The Dam Store may only live on in memories. Prayers the store survives and that they may yet be able to move it to safety for another 100 years.

My heart goes out to you guys! It was so sad to watch your home go, now praying you dont lose the store!

How devastating. I feel sorry for them

I'm so sorry for their loss. It is devastating to loose your home in any manner. My heart goes out to the family.

As she said. We are not in control. Thankful for each day and everything that you have

So terribly sorry for their loss. Not many can relate to their land disappearing. Trying to wrap one’s mind around that can’t be easy. Truly devastating.

Who would have imagined a century ago when they moved those buildings out of the path of the dam that the river would return to claim them .... Condolences from Ontario .... Hoping it doesnt claim your store

During Irene, we lost about 34’ of land. I watched as all of the sudden, my car trailer and the Apple tree planted by my great grandfather disappeared into the abyss. But thankfully for us, it stopped. But in that moment, I felt that same feeling of helplessness.

I feel so bad for this family. So many years. They must be the only folks saying, "Bust already, bridge...how much do you need to take from us?" especially if it's bound to happen at some point. If it holds, it's going to take so much work to get it back to safe. I think it was built in 1910? That's just amazing from a quality workmanship standpoint. There was still nearly 20 years to go before the Great Depression at that point. Only 11 years departed from the 1800's. Anyways, I hope this family can rise from the ashes and start the next chapter of their legacy.

My husband is a truck driver and has passed through and stayed in the area over the years. We are praying for your family and praying the store is saved.

I’m so sad for this family..crazy this can happen.

Watching this from Melbourne, Australia. Looks like such a lovely store and gardens (what’s left) of them around the store.

I am so sorry for you poor folks and everyone that's been devastated by these horrible floods and fires and tornadoes. Darkest before the dawn!

My great Uncle and Aunt George and Fern (Mendenhall) Eldrege owned the dam store for years and years and use to live upstairs There. Fern's brother Roy Mendenhall helped build the dam and was electrocuted while sweeping up down inside the dam. Let's pray the Dam Store stands

I trust the community will come together and help them and everyone restart the parts of their lives that have been affected. Despair must diminish and human compassion and inspiration must prevail!

Sad. Heartbreaking for you. Everyone pull together and help these beautiful people.

There's a lot of rural land by that store. It would be a REALLY nice gesture if one of the landowners of hundreds of acres bordering that property, gave this family a couple acres to rebuild by the river. And then if the community (or all of America) pitched in to fund a rebuild of the store. It was a small mom and pop store. Helping them get back to the status of "a store by the river" is well within the ability of a generous community, especially with the national attention it's getting.

My prayers and thoughts go out to those who are being affected by the flooding. I'm in Waterville Minnesota

That's so painful, the land itself is gone! How tragic. Hoping this family is able to recover together with the support of the community.

I am so sorry for the devastation that has been visited on your family. The loss of your home is painful enough but I hope the store survives. As a young boy, my family spent many weekends at the Rapidan dam and I have fond memories of the store.