If the Buick ain't happy, ain't nobody happy...

Now I understand more fully why I have flood insurance. It rains in Florida, I'm no stranger to that. However, before today, I've never feared for my car just leaving the subdivision. The creek/gulley that runs behind the houses was full as I crept down the center of my road, and I'm sure by now the pool is overflowing as well.

Even now, I can hear cars outside the office driving through a foot or more, rain that falls faster than the storm drains can suck it down. And I passed more than a few of these:

Of course, I could rejoice slightly that I had the Buick, and didn't have to ride the bike in, like the rainsuited Hayabusa rider I passed on the crosstown. As some of you already know, I have a hard time keeping the bike upright on dry pavement.

For the most part, I was able to remain a sane, safe driver. For the last few blocks of my drive, though, I had the choice of turning around or driving through a foot or more of flowing water. Hint: if the puddle has cresting waves, DON'T drive through it. I did, with a dumptruck coming towards me, pedal down, not looking to see if the water was flowing in around the doors, and all the while my engine going 'Rrrr-rrr-rrr-rrr'. I did manage to make it to the office, since I know that stopping in the puddle is the worst thing to do.

When I got out of the car, the wheel wells were all smoking. I can hope I didn't crack the block in the process, that would probably be bad.