07/11/2026
More about the storm:
We suffered what they are calling a 1000 year storm with 9" of rain in hours. A flash flood of epic proportions developed and raced through the monastic area while Bhante Kusala and Delson Armstrong were asleep at around 2AM.Myself and Kirstne both got calls for a rescue but due to the water blocking the bridge we simply couldn't get there. In the mean the water was rising in the cabins and they had to go to the loft - Kusala was afraid the cabin would flip so went out and climbed a tree and stayed chanting in the tree not thinking he could hold on for much longer. Delson went to his loft. During this around 4AM the cabins started to float like boats and were pushed all the way down the area through the A Frame into the forest with both of them inside each of their cabins!
We were staying but venturing out at points with the car but the water was too deep. We call 911 many times and they simply couldn't do anything and were getting inundated with calls.
Finally at6am the water receded and Bhante Kusala and Delson climbed up to the road just to find rescue crews coming their way. From there to the hospital to stich up wounds and then stayed the night in farmington with nothing but the small amount of clothes on their backs. Delson had no shoes. No nothing. We met them today July 11 and had lunch and went to walmart to get personal items and some clothes.
They both said the experience was a shock to their systems and will have to process the experience as they recall what happened and actually see the damage.
We are with Delson and Bhante now. Seeing them today it is clear the effect of the flood and trauma is definitely much more than we had realized. Bhante’s injuries were were deep and internal. Having trouble walking. Delsons foot was cut open and he is still finding scars on his body. They are both in pain. And both exhauusted from fighting for their lives.
If you click through to this link there are some pictures.
Dhamma Sukha was struck with what they say was a one thousand year flash flood from 9" of rain.The entire lower part of the center - the monastic center- was nearly 100% destroyed. Our roads are a mess but a local person has fixed the connection over the bridge so can continue business normally in o...
