And the water kept on rising... - John C. Kirk
Jul. 20th, 2007
12:19 pm - And the water kept on rising...
My hours have been sliding a bit lately, despite my good intentions. Today my three alarm clocks went off at about 06:45, and I heard the news on the radio at 07:00 forecasting a bit of rain for today, but then I went back to sleep. I got up properly at about 11:00, but I had a bit of a shock when I looked outside: there's been a lot of rain, so the water has flooded the road.
(Click on the photos for larger versions.)
There's a definite slope in the road, so one end is almost dry (particularly now that the rain has subsided a bit), but vehicles at the other end have their wheels completely covered. The water has covered the pavement, and there's a small puddle on the mat inside my front door (at street level), but nothing serious.
The buses are still moving, and JourneyPlanner/Silverlink don't mention any problems with trains, so I should be able to get into work ok. However, I had to abort my first attempt, because there was no way to get to the bus stop without actually wading knee deep through water. I don't mind getting a bit wet, but I don't really want to wear wet clothes until I get home tonight. So, I've come home to put on my wellies, and now I'll venture back out.
It's interesting to see other people's reactions: lots of the neighbouring shops have people leaning out of the windows to take photos, and I've seen some walking around barefoot (mainly women who don't have long trousers to deal with).
Anyway, it will probably all have gone by tonight, so fellow Croydon-ites shouldn't be affected (if you're currently at work), and I'll be able to get to the midnight bookshop opening. Mind you, I can foresee wails of frustration if the delivery vans can't get through in the morning!
I stayed indoors throughout the whole ordeal (obviously), and I haven't got a view onto the street, so I didn't realise it had gotten that bad.
Round the corner from where I took this picture it was a bit deeper, maybe 50cm.
Do you mind if I friend you?
I should say that the flooding wasn't really a big deal where I live; it's unusual enough to be worth mentioning, but there are other places in England that have been affected far worse (e.g. no electricity or running water).
No problem. However, I won't reciprocate (at least for now), on the basis that I don't actually know you. Out of curiousity, how did you come across my LJ?