Where's the ark?

Posted on the Rutland Herald web just fifteen minutes ago:

A huge thunderstorm is pounding the Rutland area dropping more rain than the area can handle it.

Rutland City Fire Chief Robert Schlachter has said many buildings are flooding and people should stay away if they can.

"People should avoid downtown if at all possible," Schlachter said.

Flooding is being reported throughout the downtown area including the Asa Bloomer State Office Building, Bardwell House, the Transit Center, Granger Street, Pine Street. Hopkins Street and Clover Street.

Rutland City Police Lt. Kevin Geno warned people to be careful of driving during a radio interview.

"If (drivers) approach the water, they should be very careful going through," Geno said. "We're asking people to be really careful."

When the rain first started falling, Schlachter warned fire crews to prepare for a flooding situation.

"Get ready because it's going to be interesting," Rutland City Fire Chief Robert Schlachter over the department radio.

Fire crews and the police department is [sic] running from place to place answering a deluge of calls for assistance.

Lightning strikes created chaos with alarms. A power pole was struck on Main Street.

"The fire alarm here at City Hall is going off like a Christmas tree," Schlachter said.

The fire department has called in extra firefighters to help with the calls for assistance.

The Red Cross has been called in to help shelter people who have been displaced by the flooding.

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It is nuts. Our street is a river; the yards are ponds but so far, all is OK with the church (i.e., no fire alarm has been tripped). Last June the church flooded, so we spent $6000 to disconnect it from the city sewer line. Money well spent, given what this summer has been. The photo in the newspaper is of a restaurant right down the street from the church. So much for the last Friday downtown event tonight for the summer.