The Sun Is Finally Shining, Birds Are Chirping But The Creek Is Rising
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Rob from Robs Garage….
We have had an amazing amount of rain this summer in Ohio and yesterday was no exception. In fact the weather report has called for rain almost every day for the last two weeks. I have become braver about riding my motorcycle , if there is 40% or less chance of rain I am still riding even though I have gotten wet on more than one occasion. Yesterday was a 90% chance so I left the bike at home.
Mid day the skies released a deluge of weather and by late afternoon the flood alert was sounding. As most of you know I sell cars, trucks and SUV’s at Fred Martin Superstore in Barberton Ohio.
Everything seemed fine and then all of the sudden water started to flow backwards out of the drains and started flooding our lot. Management being proactive directed us to start shuttling vehicles off site to higher ground. No sooner had we moved 40+ vehicles then the water started to recede and we brought the vehicles back to the dealership. Crisis averted or so we thought!
I woke this morning to the sounds of birds chirping and glorious sunlight. I checked the weather report, just a 10% chance of rain in the morning reducing to a 0% chance for the afternoon and evening. I did my normal morning routine, reading then advertising on Empire Avenue. I left for work at the normal time and exited the driveway on my trusty steed, 1600 cubic inches of freedom, my 2008 Suzuki Boulevard.
What a beautiful morning, with the promise of a pleasant ride home after work in the evening. As I neared the entrance to get on St. Rt 224 I noted signs indicating flooding in the Barber Rd. area. This in itself is not unusual, I have seen many a rainy day that the city has closed Barber Rd. to thru traffic due to high water in low lying areas.
On my approach traffic was backed up for 5 miles or better and I quickly exited looking for a less traveled road to get myself to work. What I found was a huge surprise. Norton road was closed as well as Barber Rd.
I detoured once again and found my way back onto the expressway heading the other direction towards Barber Road exit. The exit was closed, coned off by the police. I parked on the exit ramp and started walking towards the dealership. The entire road surface was underwater and impassable. I took off my shoes and waded across the road, the water was above my knees.
I had received a call on my cell on my ride to work to alert me that the dealership was closed for the day due to flooding. I still wanted to be helpful if possible. I quickly pitched in to help move 4 wheel drive vehicles off lot and to dry ground to make room for the passenger cars on the high ground of the dealership.
Even though the rain stopped yesterday the water level in our flooded area is still continuing to rise, they anticipate another 6 inches of water could flood the showroom. Our Service Department has 2 feet of water on the floor.
Everyone pitched in as a team to do the most they could to salvage our inventory. The next few days should be interesting. Hopefully the water will rapidly recede and allow us to get back to business as usual.
Deep in thought after being better than knee deep in flood waters.
The sun can be shining and the birds can be chirping as the creek continues to rise!