some raining

So Monday we got some crazy rain, between 10-12 inches I’ve heard. It rained and rained for hours and then our power and water went out.

There is a spot at the top of the stairs that leaks when it rains really hard and the wind comes from a certain direction. We had that combination and so drip-drip-drip it leaked for a few long hours. The leaking dripping drives me crazy, it is for me the symbol of all of my anxiety about having an old (read: fragile) house. We also had water dripping into the fireplaces. Two other spots that have shown leaky tendencies did not leak, though.

I put my headphones on so that I couldn’t hear the water and read until it got too dark.

We just got power back a few hours ago, almost two after everything went dark.

: :

There was much damage around the city because of the water. There were cars inundated and whole blocks flooded in Shockoe Bottom. Blocks of businesses are now condemed and no one can get into the area. Right in the center of this is Cafe Gutenberg (my part-time job). Closer by, retaining walls around yards collapsed, as well as part of a brick wall at St. John’s Church. Some of the hills had massive mud slides that cover roads and pushed cars. There was also a giant sinkhole at 31st and Grace Streets. I’m glad that we’re on the top of a hill.

There is local news coverage here (RTD) and here (Channel 12).