New Cumberland Flooding = Hell

(click on the photo for an enlarged view of the current)

Well guys, my worst fears were realized. Last night when I got home from dinner with Dan and the 'rents, my apartment floor was well on its way to being completely flooded (due to the excessive amount of rain we have received in the past 6 days). Apparently this is the largest quantity of rain Southcentral PA has received in the last 100 years of recorded weather history. Because I live close to the river and two large creeks, the area is prone to flooding... my biggest problem, however, was that the house's gutters weren't functioning properly and thus sending all excess rainfall down to the foundation and into my pad. What a wet, muddy mess.

It was a race against time as the water slowly crept in. 1/2" to 1.5" of water total throughout the floor of the place by the time we were done... Luckily I have great men in my life that came to my rescue. I worked frantically to unload and clear all my furniture (book cases, tv stand, etc.) and get stuff to higher ground while Dan, Dad, and Doug gathered as many cinder blocks and bricks as they could find. After things were cleared out (stacked in the dry laundry room and on any available counter space in the apartment), we blocked all my furniture up off the ground. I was having a heart attack over my new leather furniture. Thank God it sits higher and on water-resistant legs. No damage. We finished around 2 am and stood outside in the rain drinking beer before calling it a night. (nothing like drowning your sorrows in Yuengling in the middle of a flood!!)

The landlord is working to get the water out and clean the place today, but it looks like I'll be living with Dan for a few until I can go home, clean out, and put things back.


As with all trauma comes some humor, however. Two particularly funny conversations...

1)
Dad: We need to get the most expensive things up first. OK guys, let's do the couches.
(couches blocked)
Dad: Alright. Next, let's block up the entertainment stand (it's cherry and very nice). That's probably the second-most expensive piece in here.
Dan: (laughing) Are you kidding?
Dad: No, why?
Dan: She bought that at a yard sale for $5!
The men had a good laugh over this.

2)
Doug: I felt like a fireman or something! There I was at poker night and I get this frenzied phone call... I get off the phone and say, "Guys, sorry. I have to cash out. I'm needed."


***UPDATE
My landlord has since cleared all the water and washed the floors. They knocked money off my rent for next month for the inconvenience and I'm getting free high-speed internet now! Rock!