Storm hits campus, floods streets

The heat and humidity have found a permanent home in Ann Arbor, and last week, the duo decided to call their friends over.

Last Wednesday, thunder and lightening accompanied extreme temperatures and filled the skies as flash thunderstorms wrought havoc on Ann Arbor residents and University students.

LSA junior Lauren Sapala was on her way home from work when the storms suddenly hit Ann Arbor. As she approached her home near South Quad, gusts of wind made it hard to keep a straight path.

"I was trying to go (home), but the wind and rain kept blowing me towards Packard," Sapala said.

Other students said the wind was the least of their problems. The drastic weather patterns brought flash floods and chaos in the early evening, causing power outages across campus for several hours.

STEVE GERTZ/Daily University students take advantage of the flooding on South State St. to have a little fun. The storm on Wednesday caused power outages and problems for many on campus.

School of Music sophomore Andrea Koll lost the electricity in her house for over 24 hours.

"The storms came and went so quickly, but of course, I would be the one not to have electricity for an entire day because of it," Koll said.

LSA senior Andrew Romelhardt and his neighbors were among those who had to deal with larger problems - in particular, rapidly rising waters.

The rain fell so hard and quickly that the storm sewers filled up and were not able to drain the water quick enough, Romelhardt said.

"Mary Court and the adjacent street had flooded ... some parts probably higher than two feet," Romelhardt explained. "A lot of basements started to flood."

But the flooding was not limited to ground-floor apartments. The rain managed to turn campus streets into a watery playground.

"Water was even coming through car doors," Romelhardt said. "In a few instances, some cars that were being driven stalled and practically started to float away."

Romelhardt said he was lucky - he was able to park on higher ground so that his car was not affected by the downpour.

But one of his housemates was not so lucky.

"The car had puddles of water in it," Romelhardt said. "We had to scoop the water out and vacuum the carpet down."

The storm left nearly as abruptly as it came. Within an hour, the waters had receded, leaving drenched vehicles, puddle-filled streets, and frazzled Ann Arbor residents in its wake.

"I couldn't believe all the rain," Romelhardt said.

06-29-98