A greater two day rain total than ever before recorded was entered today in the Northern Virginia history books. The Capital Beltway shut down this morning due to the storm. So did the Metro. Bus routes were canceled. IRS employees were told to go home. All Smithsonian Museums closed their doors. Cars floated down the streets. People were rescued by boats. And it is still raining.
I was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest - it takes a lot of rain for me take notice. Most of the time, I don't even bother with an umbrella. I grew up hearing, "A little rain won't hurt you." Tonight, however, I feel as though I should be building an Ark.
I wish I had more pictures to share because the images I have seen on television are absolutely unreal. Still, I think the handful of photos I have gathered give a nice pictorial of the current weather conditions:
I love this picture of the Prez. He is getting drenched. And that poor Secret Service guy, he's soaked to the skin. The picture on the left shows a tree that fell down in the front lawn of the White House - right next to the doorstep.
And finally, here is a picture that shows just how much rain is flowing in the streets and neighborhoods of downtown Washington D.C. Fortunately, I live 20 miles outside of the District and my house sits on a hill where all the rain flows down into the little forest area below the back of my house. We have been lucky because the county I live in is a little more rural and the flooding has not affected us quite as much as it has in the more urban areas. Our creeks are overflowing, though, and there are a few roads that are impassable. But other than that, we have not had nearly the amount of flooding that there has been in the District.
Alyssa claims that when people talk about the weather, it means that they are boring. She says that if all one has to discuss is Mother Nature, then that person needs to get a life. Because this is one of her pet peeves, I try really hard not to talk about the weather very often. But due to the record setting rainfall amounts we have had in the past 48 hours, I think that the weather is an acceptable topic for the day. And I think that even Alyssa would forgive me for breaching her weather as conversation rule.
I'd send you some drought pictures, but they are too depressing. Not a drop of rain here and the farmers are all worried about the lack of hay. Many bans and restrictions on the upcoming holiday fireworks. And my water bill is going to be tremedous!
Drive carefully!
Posted by: Mary | June 28, 2006 at 10:37 PM
Alyssa's comment definitely is funny. Whenever my dh gets on the phone with almost anyone, including me when we're apart, almost the first thing he asks is, "How's the weather?" He actually is much better at conversation -- I'm the boring one... Any news about how Old Town is faring? Worried about our place there. Stay dry, Kelly! Thanks for the first-hand weather report! :)
Posted by: Carla | June 27, 2006 at 11:55 PM
The rain has been nuts. I havent seen storms like what we have seen lately. Very strange stuff. I keep telling my kids when it gets really loud with thunder that there is a bowling match going on in heaven. They think that is funny... well, at least for am minute until they ask me what bowling is.....lol -- anyway, keep dry :)
Posted by: Tawnya | June 27, 2006 at 08:24 PM
Oh wow! Too much rain indeed! What amazing pics you got there!~
Posted by: Maria | June 27, 2006 at 06:45 PM
WOOOA, hope everyone stays safe!!!!
Posted by: Adrienne | June 27, 2006 at 04:08 PM
Wow! For a Northwesterner to take notice, it must be something! I laughed out loud when I read that you don't use an umbrella. We always say that if someone has an umbrella, they are not from around here! We all have hooded gortex...we don't need no stinkin' umbrella! LOL Great post, as always!
Posted by: Heidi (plualum) | June 27, 2006 at 02:21 PM
Holy man, look at all that rain! Thanks for the pics! I'm glad you guys are safe and sound. I do hope it stops raining soon.
Posted by: Barb | June 27, 2006 at 01:37 PM
Your pics are great! I'm so sick of this rain (I'm in MD) Just when the sun teases us and comes out WHAM! it rains again!!!!
Posted by: robyn bedsaul(twinsplus1) | June 27, 2006 at 01:31 PM
raining cats and dogs in philly today, OMG, somehow, I fear the heat that is coming up after all this rain is gone
Posted by: toya | June 27, 2006 at 01:10 PM
I agree, Kelly. We need an ark to get around here. It is unbelievable the amount of rain we've had. You've compiled some great photos!
Posted by: Jeanette | June 27, 2006 at 12:30 PM
Wow. We never seen rain like that here in Utah.
Posted by: SageHen | June 27, 2006 at 11:00 AM
That's unreal. We had major flooding in '93. Much like that. Stay safe!
Posted by: Kirsten | June 27, 2006 at 10:40 AM
Loved the photos and hope it stops there today for sure! We get that a lot down here, of course, due to the storms but it's never nice and always inconvenient. Had to laugh at your DD's comment!
Kip
Posted by: Kip | June 27, 2006 at 10:38 AM
A smirk crossed my face when reading your daughter's thoughts on weather... but this is definitly an exception!!! That is some MAJOR flooding and water! Stay safe, dry, and take care!
Posted by: May | June 27, 2006 at 10:02 AM
Wow! I wish you could send some of that to Utah, we're scorching here. Stay safe!
Posted by: Amy Sorensen | June 27, 2006 at 09:32 AM
LOL at your PNW comments. I'm the same way - usually, it's rain shmain. But after all the rain we had here in the early part of the month, I took notice too. And your pictures are impressive.
I'm also laughing at Alyssa's weather as conversation comment. I always notice whenever I bring weather into a conversation and think pretty much the same thing. But I've known for a long time that I need to get a life... LOL!
Stay dry, Kel!
Posted by: Cathy | June 27, 2006 at 09:29 AM
wow but I know all about building the ARK. We are having the wettest June on Record and it only started raining on Thursday and by Friday it was recordsetting hopefully it will dry out soon.
Posted by: Chiara | June 27, 2006 at 07:48 AM
WOW! look at all that rain *shocked face* here in AZ its so dry and over 100 degrees. thanks so much for sharing the pictures
Posted by: melissa | June 27, 2006 at 03:14 AM
Whoa... I can't believe all the rain you all are getting and we are dry as a bone, 115 degree weather!! Glad you are ok where you live.
Stay safe girlie!
Posted by: Wendy Reed (WendyReedPea) | June 27, 2006 at 02:25 AM