Flash!

So last night, as we were celebrating a friend's birthday out at the pool, indulging in cheap beer, we were taking in the cooler breezes, the fresh smells, and the refreshing rain droplets that are oh so rare here in Phoenix. What we didn't realize was that at the same time, the streets of Phoenix were filling up with muddy rainwater.

We left the party a bit after 11, heading home so Jay could get to sleep before his 5am showtime at work. Heading south on the interstate, traffic started to slow down, and up ahead it was at a full stop. We opted to use the off ramp, missing the "accident" and getting back on after the underpass. Not even 5 miles later, another backup. This time we realized what it was. The interstate was completely flooded - leaving only 1 lane for 5 lanes of traffic to get through without getting stuck in the raging (literally) waters.

We barely made it off the interstate this time. A truck was blocking 1/2 of the off-ramp and the water next to it was flowing rapidly, getting higher and higher. Cars were inches apart from each other, fighting to get off before they were trapped to face the waters ahead.

The surface streets the rest of the way home were not any better. About a third of them were flooded as well, blocked off by either police cars or a car that had tried to get through but didn't make it.

It was the strangest drive home I've had in a while. This is the kind of stuff that happens on TV, never have I been in the middle of it! An hour and a half later, I was very happy to be home, safely snuggled in bed, listening to the gentle pitter patter of the rain outside.