Surreal Week (and did I mention the rain?)

Last Sunday, we watched the tail end of the snow from the previous day melt.

Monday, heavy rain had water rushing over the highway that runs parallel to the road I usually take to get into town…  and then over the road itself.  When I passed by, it wasn’t too alarming, but apparently later in the day it was.  By afternoon, the main intersection for people to get to the west side of Olympia was flooded so much that only the very tops of the roofs of stranded cars could be seen.  Our power was out most of the day…  but came back on by the next morning.

This was a huge storm — wetter and more violent than we normally get.  It triggered problems in places that usually don’t have any.   Overall, our local climate is still within “normal limits” historically, but things are getting strange.  Read on!

Tuesday, the flood waters were subsiding for us (our home was unaffected), but further south the rivers were rising.  To the west of us, an entire county was isolated by the fallen trees, power lines and mudslides the storm had wrought.

Wednesday,  a bit of clear sky, then clouds rolled in again.  No real precipitation, but the news was full of photos of the still-closed interstate freeway, ten feet deep in water, the flooded homes and businesses, the people still being rescued by boat and helicopter.

Thursday, I was enjoying my quiet day “off”, getting ready to leave for a book sale (the only kind I ever make plans to attend)…  and the power clicked off, with the water from the well the first casualty.  With my hair full of shampoo I trudged out to reconnect the generator, feeling lucky that I knew where the cable to connect it was, and managed to still get out on time…  and the evening was warm — getting from the cars into the school for the concert was pleasant.

Friday morning, the interstate freeway re-opened, the weather was normal (cloudy and drizzly) and the pictures continued to come in…  the farms we buy produce from, the major stores along the freeway flooded.  People cleaning things out everywhere.

Saturday, a lovely, crisp autumn day — clear skies, bright sun.  More pictures of the damage, the news that the president declared an emergency for the area so extra help and funds will be available.  People from all over who hadn’t been hurt by the storm pitching in to help those who had.

Today, I wake to snow.  In the air since I woke, it looks like nearly an inch has accumulated on the cars.  I think I will stop being amazed now…