rhwinger
09-06-2006, 07:52 AM
Left the house at 4:45 AM with moderate to heavy rain and gusty winds. The roads were almost devoid of cars, but they were fairly heavily littered with tree debris like clumps of leaves, numerous twigs and the occasional heavy branch. The tops of the trees whipped back and forth like ghosts in the outermost glare from the headlights. A gusty headwind and crosswind buffeted the vehicle and I could just feel the additional energy needed from the engine to move the car against the elements. Occasional standing pools of dark liquid sapped even more energy as I made my way to work.
Finally made it to the base. The guard at the security gate stood in the blowing wet darkness. As I pulled up, I could see he was soaked despite his heavy foul weather gear. He wiped water from his eyes, and his flashlight dripped as he checked my ID card and motioned me to pass with a courtesy and poise only the military posses during such times. Pulled into the parking lot – 52 MPG. At least I beat the EPA estimates today. A mad dash across the parking lot thru the wind and sheets of rain. At the building entrance I swiped my badge and entered the code into the reader, hoping the soaked device would work. Entered the building and went up to the office. After a few minutes I noticed water was leaking in under the windowsills and there was a bubble of water forming between the paint and the drywall. Odd?
After an hour the department manager came in and asked if I could help lift furniture at the front of the main building. We found standing water in the offices and for three hours ran wet/dry shop vacs trying to dewater the office areas. Even the group commander got involved. He was supporting the shop vac hose with his hands, trying to prevent it from collapsing, as we scurried from office to office. Where’s a camera when you need one?
Around 1030, they decided to give up and ordered us home before the low lying roads became flooded or otherwise impassible. The secondary road I used to get to the base was almost covered with water. The only way to drive was on the crown of the road as the water was up over the curb and into people’s yards on both sides. At this point I thought there might be serious trouble, but plodded along. On my way to the interstate, I passed four or five stalled SUV’s and cars. Found the interstate was moving slowly but steadily. More vehicles pulled off onto the shoulder. SUV’s, cars, even semi’s were falling victim to the elements – one even had the cab tilted open, engine exposed, four way blinkers barely visible in the ongoing downpour. The wind just made it more interesting.
Made it to my exit and as I rounded the blind turn, came upon a tree nearly blocking the exit. Maneuvered around the tree and continued while the wind blew debris from the trees onto the car. The water was as high as I’ve ever seen it at the bridge that goes over Mill Creek, but at least it didn’t threaten to flood the roadway. The traffic lights were swinging wildly in the gusting wind, but most were either not working at all or just blinking constantly. The neighborhood shopping center stores were dark, as was most of the neighborhood.
The lights in the neighborhood were dark as I made my way to our house. Pulled into the driveway and found the garage door opener inoperative, so got out and manually raised the door. 54 mpg at wheels stop. Made it home safe – and still beat the EPA estimates.
Finally made it to the base. The guard at the security gate stood in the blowing wet darkness. As I pulled up, I could see he was soaked despite his heavy foul weather gear. He wiped water from his eyes, and his flashlight dripped as he checked my ID card and motioned me to pass with a courtesy and poise only the military posses during such times. Pulled into the parking lot – 52 MPG. At least I beat the EPA estimates today. A mad dash across the parking lot thru the wind and sheets of rain. At the building entrance I swiped my badge and entered the code into the reader, hoping the soaked device would work. Entered the building and went up to the office. After a few minutes I noticed water was leaking in under the windowsills and there was a bubble of water forming between the paint and the drywall. Odd?
After an hour the department manager came in and asked if I could help lift furniture at the front of the main building. We found standing water in the offices and for three hours ran wet/dry shop vacs trying to dewater the office areas. Even the group commander got involved. He was supporting the shop vac hose with his hands, trying to prevent it from collapsing, as we scurried from office to office. Where’s a camera when you need one?
Around 1030, they decided to give up and ordered us home before the low lying roads became flooded or otherwise impassible. The secondary road I used to get to the base was almost covered with water. The only way to drive was on the crown of the road as the water was up over the curb and into people’s yards on both sides. At this point I thought there might be serious trouble, but plodded along. On my way to the interstate, I passed four or five stalled SUV’s and cars. Found the interstate was moving slowly but steadily. More vehicles pulled off onto the shoulder. SUV’s, cars, even semi’s were falling victim to the elements – one even had the cab tilted open, engine exposed, four way blinkers barely visible in the ongoing downpour. The wind just made it more interesting.
Made it to my exit and as I rounded the blind turn, came upon a tree nearly blocking the exit. Maneuvered around the tree and continued while the wind blew debris from the trees onto the car. The water was as high as I’ve ever seen it at the bridge that goes over Mill Creek, but at least it didn’t threaten to flood the roadway. The traffic lights were swinging wildly in the gusting wind, but most were either not working at all or just blinking constantly. The neighborhood shopping center stores were dark, as was most of the neighborhood.
The lights in the neighborhood were dark as I made my way to our house. Pulled into the driveway and found the garage door opener inoperative, so got out and manually raised the door. 54 mpg at wheels stop. Made it home safe – and still beat the EPA estimates.