riyadh flood 2010

So Mondays have become my most dreaded day at work. I have the first six periods (in a row) which is abnormal at my school. Yesterday was a particularly crazy day for me, a lot of things going on and I think I literally sat for only a few minutes the entire day. Then one would think, no problem, you get to go home. Nope. Not me, I had lovely gate duty which means I get to stay at school until every student leaves. And this again, requires more standing.

So when the last student left, I was pretty happy. I didn't even mind the fact that it had begun to rain. I had little guy with me, so I was enjoying his happiness of playing in the rain. We were in an entrance area waiting for our car to come. It's outdoors but covered so I was staying dry and little guy had his hooded jacket so he was good too.

But then the rain began to increase and the wind was becoming rather harsh. And it continued, rain and wind, heavier rain and wind, and even heavier rain and wind. Little guy was no longer playing. In fact he was huddled up next to me, realizing that this was no longer the rain you can play in. I looked across the school yard to the school entrance and thought it's better to wait at the covered entrance than cross through the heavy down pour which was puddling up at a rapid pace. But then I looked down and saw that the area we were standing in was beginning to flood. I prepared little guy and told him we were going to run into the school, FAST! I picked him up with all our bags and ran like the wind into my school. We got drenched.

In the meantime, my sis-in-law called to inform me that the car was stuck, streets were flooded and her dad (my FIL), was on the way with his SUV. She also told me that it may take awhile until they could reach us at my school. I figured as much as I watched the garden flood before my very eyes. Little guy was fascinated though. He stood at the door and was amazed and excited. We don't get much rain here in Riyadh so it was something for both of us. My principal and her daughter were the only other people in the school. My principal would stand and watch for a little while and then go back to her office (a true business gal), and repeat. So there I was with little guy and principal's daughter, waiting and realizing that we wouldn't be getting home anytime soon.

The area that we were waiting in was now completely flooded and the steps leading down, a waterfall (so not kidding). The school yard was like a huge lake of water. You see, there is a drain in the center, but the water couldn't drain fast enough, and seemed to be backed up. Then we heard it. A cat...meow, meow, meow. Now, I'm a cat lover myself. So when I hear a cat meow, esp like this, needing something, I had to find out where it was. As I looked across the school yard, I could see it. A baby kitten stuck in the corner of the area we had been waiting in. The water was half way up his little body and he couldn't get out. Little guy was so worried (as was I but a Mommy has to pretend to be calm and cool at all times). So I did it. I went wadding across the school yard to get the little thing. When I got to him, he got scared and tried to run, but the water sort of swept him back. Then he tried jumping on the chair, which was too hard for him because the water was too high for his legs to jump. So I managed to get him, and carried him back into the school. Little guy and principal's daughter were thrilled to see him safe. The cat ran and hid for quite awhile. I was actually afraid he had died. But no. He was fine, he began moving again once he was dried up. I, on the other hand was completely drenched. But hey, the baby cat was safe and dry, right?

So then my FIL comes and we have to figure a way for little guy and I to get out of the school, our entrance was flooded. So we end up going around to the International Section, walking thru their building and out their entrance which was not flooded. Our car had to stay parked at school as water had leaked in. So we all climb into FIL's SUV; the driver, MIL, SIL (who were originally in our car) and little guy and I. Now, the challenge was finding a way home that was not flooded.

picture of the flooding yesterday via arab news

Streets were majorly flooded. Many cars parked and people just standing about as they had no way to get through flooded areas. We took many turns but finally found our way home. I was never so happy to see my house! Little guy went straight into a warm bubble bath and I into a hot shower after peeling off our wet clothes. We both wore warm clothes and just relaxed. But hubby was still at work and he was stuck. It took him 2 hours to get home and he was lucky. Many people were stranded for hours. Many roads closed. It was so bad that schools were cancelled today.

By evening the rain was just lightly falling, nice enough for the kids to go out and play in our patio area. I however, fell down and got a little hurt. What a weird, strange, exhauting day. I crashed once my head hit the pillow. Deep, deep sleep, I tell you!

So I must say, that this was definitely an experience. And I am SO thankful to have a cozy home with warm meals and lots of love. I really pray for all of our friends who are not so fortunate. May God help them all!!!

Stay safe, love your family, and remember to thank God for all the blessings you've been given!

Click here to see the online newspaper article from yesterday.