How are CMGers making out with all the rain?

[Lance]

In Binghamton, New York, we have been hard hit with extraordinary amounts of rain. This storm (is it Lee?) has proven to be much more devastating than the effects we felt from Hurricane Irene. The Susquehanna River is supposed to be at 36 feet above flood level by 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 8th. People are having water problems that never experienced them before, even from the famous flood of 1972 - and the next famous one in 2006 that hit this area with vigour. People from respite homes located near the river are going to be evacuated tonight or early tomorrow and many people near low-laying areas in in deep ... water. I was in a hardware store today seeing people coming in for sump pumps, electricity generators, plugs for floor drains (which were shooting up water) and NOTHING was available for these people. Everything was sold out, probably as a result of Irene a couple of weeks ago. What can be as devastating as water ... unless it's fire?!? It is not very often in these parts of New York State (the "Southern Tier" or "Upstate" for New York City dwellers) that we experience this kind of flooding though there has been much more of it in the last twenty years from what I have observed. Previously, 1902 and 1932 were also dangerous floods around here.

[John F]

It's just rolling off our backs down here in the city, but I'm sure that with the ground saturated and rivers already at high levels, you folks are in deep. And the hurricane season isn't over yet. Hang in there, guys and gals!

[lennygoran]

(In Binghamton, New York, we have been hard hit with extraordinary amounts of rain. )


Here in warren county nj incredible rain-have never seen so much before-sump pumps are running constantly! Tonight and this morning even more rain along with lots of lightning and thunder-I shut down my computer and am back to that darn blackberry. Len

[diegobueno]

No significant flooding in the areas I travel, though the rain is heavy and constant.

Just to the north, Ellicott City, near Baltimore, is looking pretty ugly:

[Beckmesser]

I shuttle back and forth between Westchester and Columbia Counties. Our homes are on hillsides in both locations so we aren't in danger of flooding but our driveway in the country is a muddy mess. The creeks in Columbia County are up to the undersides of the bridges so either the water will back up or the bridge will be washed away.

We have had an extraordinary amount of rain since the middle of August.

[lennygoran]

>Columbia Counties<

We nearly bought there but since Warren County NJ was closer to NYC it won out! Regards, Len

[karlhenning]

Lance, Jim Cantore tweets that he's coming to Binghamton because of the historic floods . . . .

Be safe there, lad!
~Karl

[Beckmesser]

One of the first persons I worked with when I joined the environmental engineering firm where I was employed for 30 years was the firm's senior hydrologist. He always used to say, "Don't live near the water."

Living near water certainly has its appeal but it also has its risks.

[jbuck919]

Just a couple of rainy days up here. I'm so far up on a bluff above the creek that if it flooded that high I wouldn't have to worry, because it would be the end of the world anyway.

[Wallingford]

Two days ago, it felt good to have a little gloomy weather for a change--just a light sprinkle, mind you.

It was immense relief from Colorado's hottest August on record.

[diegobueno]

Lance, I see Binghamton is getting hit pretty hard, and there are a lot of streets under water. I hope you're high and dry.

[NancyElla]

One of the first persons I worked with when I joined the environmental engineering firm where I was employed for 30 years was the firm's senior hydrologist. He always used to say, "Don't live near the water."

Living near water certainly has its appeal but it also has its risks.

I don't usually think of myself as living "near the water," but a lake has now appeared behind my house, where there used to be a patio. I spent a large part of the day trying to vacuum it up with my 6-gallon shop vac. The school district in neighboring Charles County, where I work, ended school early yesterday and cancelled classes today and tomorrow. I didn't venture out today, but I've heard horror stories about the number of flooded, impassable streets. Some apartment buildings in Alexandria are being evacuated, and the news reported two flood-related deaths in Northern Virginia today.

[Lance]

Hi Mark ... yes, Binghamton made national news on The Weather Channel. Binghamton got very hard hit (with evacuations - never happened before now), and Endicott, NY was rated in top 5 with manhole plates blowing high into the sky with geyser-like fury from water pressure. Vestal, in the low areas, has had enormous problems. Fortunately, I'm high and, for the most part, dry. I have never seen so much rain - and pounding rain - as I have this year. One woman I know has lived in her house for 30 or more years. She got nine inches of water in her basement. People who never had problems are having them now. We are keeping our fingers crossed. Lots of cancellations - concerts, recitals, and even SUNY is shut down. This has been quite an experience.

Lance, I see Binghamton is getting hit pretty hard, and there are a lot of streets under water. I hope you're high and dry.

[Werner]

What an experience, Lance! Before this, who ever saw the Binghamton-Vestal area a prospect for flooding?

I hope that you, the family, house - and instrument(s) will emerge high, dry, and safe.

[Lance]

Thank you, Werner. Yes, survived unscathed. The saying about never building your home next to water - is a valid one! One simply never knows what can happen. I followe that rule.

What an experience, Lance! Before this, who ever saw the Binghamton-Vestal area a prospect for flooding?

I hope that you, the family, house - and instrument(s) will emerge high, dry, and safe.

[HoustonDavid]

I'm truly sorry for you in the northeast, and even down into the Carolinas. As you've
seen in the news, we here in Texas are literally burning up for lack of any rain for several
months combined with blazing and record heat. Houston metroplex has not had significant
burning, just a few small neighborhood fires and grass fires, but we are dry as tinder and
afraid of the potential. The cool weather we are finally experiencing has helped a lot with the
heat, but it is dry cool (60's in the morning) and doesn't help with our lack of rain. We are
just glad to be able to use our patios and get out of constant air conditioning.

[NancyElla]

Lance, I'm relieved to hear you're not under water! The videos I've seen today of flooding in several states have been awful. Please stay safe.

[lennygoran]

> Before this, who ever saw the Binghamton-Vestal area a prospect for flooding?<

Well I think there were concerns before but certainly this one is the worst:

"Decades old flood walls were not match for the swelling waters of the Susquehanna River, which forced 20,000 locals to seek higher ground as heavy rain from the aftermath of Tropical Storm Lee pushes already swollen rivers higher..."The situation is dire," Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan told The Associated Press. "It's the worst flooding in the history of Binghamton at least since the flood walls were built in the 1930s and '40s."

Regards, Len

[karlhenning]

Good to hear you're keeping above the floodwaters, Lance & John!

Cheers,
~Karl

[Lance]

Hi Karl ... thank you for the good wishes. We are fine, and we are just staying home. It is near impossible to travel anywhere. Binghamton's Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers are both slowly declining. There was, as i understand, a little runoff from the top of the flood walls, perhaps an inch or two. That's cutting it very closely for such a large city as Binghamton. One of our hospitals, Lourdes, not far from the river, has automatic flood wall protection ... walls that apparently rise on their own, or can be handled manually. They did the manual thing. I understand only the back parking lots adjacent to the river are flooded. The hospital, however, has lost power. Last I knew they were thinking of transferring up to 120 bed patients, and all but necessary operations were postponed. Many of the wealthy of Binghamton have homes along beautiful Riverside Drive. Some of those large and elaborate homes have already been submerged. I would imagine it will be a long time before things get back to normal around here. It's even difficult to get to any grocery stores. Perhaps this is a good time for me to lose about 20 pounds, and I say that not facetiously!

Lance, Jim Cantore tweets that he's coming to Binghamton because of the historic floods . . . .

Be safe there, lad!
~Karl

[Lance]

We are doing fine here. Just some seepage, but nothing like everyone else seems to have. I just went out to try to go the bank and post office, and roads east and west are closed from where I want to make the turn. Traffic coming from Route 434 (East-to-West, Binghamton to Vestal or Elmira) is backed way up the highway. The bridge from Vestal to Endicott still has a huge lake in front of it. The bridge itself has water almost to where your tires would be. I've never seen that before. I just turned around and came home to a beautifully sunny day, just as if nothing ever happened. All communities—Endicott, Johnson City, Vestal, Binghamton—are having problems. We had our gas turned off so no hot water nor no heat, though heat we don't need. (How often do people take COLD showers? Brrrr!) Otherwise, we have full electricity and wonderful access to the folks on CMG! I fear this is going to be a huge economic loss and personal loss to many. The major malls are either flooded, food stores are not easily accessible, stores and banks are closed. I'm sure New England, Washington, DC, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre PA and surrounding communities, and places in VA and MD are all having similar problems. Do you think God is trying to tell us something, like "shape up!?!"

Lance, I'm relieved to hear you're not under water! The videos I've seen today of flooding in several states have been awful. Please stay safe.

[NancyElla]

After a mostly gray, drizzly day, we now have a lovely evening with a clear blue sky. Could it be that the rain is over?

I hesitate to speak for the almighty--She works in mysterious ways. We certainly have an opportunity to exercise compassion in action, though. I plan to express my gratitude for getting through these recent storms with nothing more than minor inconveniences by sending some bucks to the Red Cross for those folks who have suffered huge losses. I can't imagine what it is like to lose your home, car, and business all at once, as some people have.