DCist: Water Main Break Forces Emergency Rescue in Bethesda

Over the River

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:53:18 -0500

Surf's Up.

othersideoftheriver

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:18:28 -0500

I wouldn't have wanted to be in water up to my knees and carrying my 50# kid. I'm surprised all those emergency brakes held on those cars. In any event, I'd rather rescue workers practice rescues in a major/serious situation first -- better than having to "practice" in the Mather Gorge after spring melt.

Deep

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:12:37 -0500

Monkey! How pretty is ya? We just had a late X-mas party. The booze was flowing like them Bethesda pipes until some goody two shoes tole them that is were too strong. I tole them that I am an adult and i don't swim in the kiddie pool. The guy pouring the drinks winked and reinforced my drink. Everythings gravy!

monkeyrotica

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:37:47 -0500

"Billy Baldwin!" "I'm Alec Baldwin!" "What are you guys doing in Springfield?" "We bought a summer home in Springfield to get away from phony Hollywood." "Why not Bethesda?" "Not phony enough."

sophiagrrl

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:35:47 -0500

BBC/CNN's footage really underscores that it is NOT a 6" flood. The water is washing over the roof of that SUV with some terrifying force. It looks like even opening that door would have been dangerous. That said, no grief to Sommer. I mean, I used to drive that route too and when I heard the news, there was a bit of incredulity that they needed helicopters on water main break... but looking at it, it's a pretty awesomely major water main break.

Kev29

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:30:09 -0500

Come on, what do expect? Media outlets have some bitchin' video footage to work with, what are they going to do, downplay it?

Rukasu

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:17:02 -0500

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7797855.stm BBC too...good grief

blittle

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:15:40 -0500

So, is anyone willing to speculate what the drive will be like tonight on 395 to 270? Maybe I'll just hunker down in DC and do video conferencing with the parents for the gift opening on the 25th. Omg. I have to get to the store and buy toilet paper and milk now!

monkeyrotica

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:11:46 -0500

It's been on cnn.com for a couple hours now, and has been a top hit on Google News since this morning. Thank you, Liberal Media, for stroking the Morlock terrorists' egos. This will only encourage more acts of moist and stinky terror. I don't give a damn that they want a bigger smoking section at the Tastee Diner. We don't negotiate with terrorists. Period.

out_on_an_island

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:02:12 -0500

This just in: The Guardian newspaper (www.guardian.co.uk) has the water main break story at the top of it's webpage. Must be a slow news day in Great Britain. This morning they were reporting that 6-7 cars had been either swept away or overturned by the water. This should snarl rush hour a bit.

Freebooter

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:48:31 -0500

Good on the rescuers. The force of water is commonly underestimated and the on scene response was solid. I have to agree with No More Caffeine's comment. Way to stay classy, Mathis.

davidoarr

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:48:05 -0500

As of 12:30, the WSSC Web site says only 100 customers were affected. I think they might want to revise that upwards. If you are affected, I have links to the MC updates and WSSC updates on my blog http://davidoarr.wordpress.com/

TripleE

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:34:25 -0500

I'm in Friendship Heights, and this affected our water pressure in the morning. It was low around 8, and by like 8:10, so my shower had less pressure than my morning wizz. Thankfully, it smelled better. This shouldn't affect metro, since the red line follows Wisconsin Ave. through downtown. River Road is far enough away from there to not be an issue. It will be a huge issue for anyone who takes it out of the city to the the beltway, assuming it's still closed this evening. Expect Wisconsin Ave., Clara Barton Parkway, etc. to be completely hosed this evening. I'm so glad I work in the suburbs, and drive opposite all this. It's good that they were able to rescue folks quickly. This is insane. ~EEE~

monkeyrotica

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:32:40 -0500

Mo-Co teens place a high premium on post-coital "afterplay" pillaging. Then, they have pudding and watch "Saved by the Bell" reruns. It's a charmed life.

DrLRonHoover

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:21:47 -0500

MoGoCo schools are shutting down early. Guess a non-flushing kludgie justifies a half day off. Prepare for the inevitable knife fights, drag races and other mayhem as Bethesda's teens are let loose to rape, loot and pillage.

outdoortype

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:16:59 -0500

"Even though the weight of Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) may appear to offer a greater protection in crossing flooded roads, their size and larger tires can make them more buoyant and more prone to being swept away. Bottom Line: It is just as dangerous to drive an SUV through flooded waters as a regular vehicle." That and other good "don't drive through flooded streets" tips found on this NOAA site: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/surge/flood_road.shtml

Martin Locraft

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:09:42 -0500

Which video did you watch, 8Man? See the link below... if you think that's 6" of water, I sure as shit hope you don't work in a field that requires taking any measurements. http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/23/car.water.rescue/index.html

Bethesdaist

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:01:53 -0500

I will be hiding out at my cabana boy's until further notice, Wizzyliz, but I could always use a bailout.

Kev29

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:46:00 -0500

Reminiscent of the "Fight the Slide" episode of Laguna Beach. Stop scratching your heads, you all saw it.

Deep

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:27:35 -0500

Hey Monkey! What about the rats and beavers they're underground, but they have flood insurance so it's OK.

mho

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:23:34 -0500

C'mon. lighten up. Nobody gets hurt in Bethesda. Unless you're a drunk kid in your new Mercedes SUV. Actually, I think River Road has some of the most teen car crashes....

monkeyrotica

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:15:01 -0500

So how's the floodiness going to effect this evening's commute, particularly via the Red Line? Because last time I checked, the Metro was underground.

monkeyrotica

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:08:31 -0500

PSUMark

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:03:19 -0500

Just got a phone call from my contract liaison at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission - apparently buildings near White Flint are under a mandatory evacuation.

Wizzyliz

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:59:27 -0500

It's a festivus miracle, Bethesdaist!!! Do you need a BAIL OUT??

Deep

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:58:39 -0500

Whoo! That water looked cold. I can't even take a cold shower. I'd be shaking too if I were trapped in a car with DCist sewage water swirling around me. I would have felt like a piece of sh*t.

aaronsinger

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:56:23 -0500

Good to hear. But what about Potomacist?!?

MTC

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:56:04 -0500

Time to set up the relief concert...Bethesdaid? Of course, this will only make more residents subject to AMT...

Bethesdaist

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:52:49 -0500

I'm okay, bitches, thanks for asking.

out_on_an_island

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:52:31 -0500

I was watching this on the news before I came to work. The water is definitely deeper than 6 inches. Drivers reported a 4-5 foot wall of water hitting them head-on. By the time I left work they had managed to turn the water off halfway and the flow was thus reduced. However there will be extensive damage to River Road that will likely take weeks to repair. Most of the city's water infrastructure is 100+ years old so this certainly won't be the only water main break this season.

OldPosterKnownAsCranky

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:48:24 -0500

Kayaking to work on River Road - that's keeping it real.

monkeyrotica

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:33:54 -0500

If one CHUD with an aqualung can do this much damage, DC's in a lot of trouble. Then again, a wall of water might be the only thing standing between the innaugural Mall crowds and Port-o-potty-pocalypse.

ill on the hill

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:33:46 -0500

How is it that no one has made the following jokes: 1) Ha ha... "River" Road. 2) Ha ha... the rescue team came from Cabin John "Bridge" 3) Looks like the rich folks in Bethesda are getting a bailout package, too! 4) Congressional Country Club now has a new water hazard. I'm here all week folks... tip your wait staff.

stapaulova

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:32:24 -0500

A 66" diameter pipe carries a LOT of water, regardless of what it looks like on a tiny, grainy internet video taken from a helicopter hundreds of feet in the air. Think about it. Half of the humans walking on this earth are 66" tall or less. Furthermore, any water main break has the potential for road collapse. And a collapse of a main that big would swallow cars whole. I think rescue is justified in this case. Its not like these people drove into an area already flooded or where flood warnings were posted.

timtheviking2

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:31:09 -0500

Somebody call Sweet Daddy. You really haven't been baptized until you've been baptized by a 4-foot wall of water.

arglebargle

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:29:51 -0500

I knew I shouldn't have courtesy flushed this morning! This is all my fault.

VJ

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:28:55 -0500

Also, it's 20 degrees outside. Car doors and windows are getting frozen shut pretty quickly.

Q

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:23:50 -0500

Water reported as 4 ft deep in places: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/bal-mainbreak1223,0,7024998.story

Jeslett

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:21:50 -0500

I don't think it's the depth of the water that necessitates the need for rescue. I think it's the fact that these people would be swept down the street and into a ditch, potential for drowning there, based on the extremely heavy flow of the water. Now, I don't know why they couldn't just stay in their cars until the water is shut off. Unless the water is moving their cars too.

8Man

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:16:02 -0500

Oops. I was wrong. After looking at the video the water appears to be about 6 inches deep. Apparently these people were rescued from potentially soggy shoes.

monkeyrotica

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:11:55 -0500

People stranded in cars is always funny! The only way it would be funnier is if you replace the wall of water with a hail of raw sewage. I bet Monkey County's glad they spent that extra $200 million on a water rescue unit, particularly since they already sank $1.2 billion on an alpine avalanche rescue team, complete with gold-plated cyborg Saint Bernards bearing Johnny Walker Blue in their neck spigots.

8Man

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:07:11 -0500

The water is actually less than about 18 inches deep. You can see it doesn't even come up to the bottom of the car doors. These people could have just got out and walked away.

Rukasu

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:04:27 -0500

Shouldn't all those SUVs I'm seeing people being rescued out of on Fox5 be able to handle 4 feet of water? Oh what's that, a RAV4 only has 7in of ground clearance? Oh, then I hope the MD rescue service sends them the bill.

dumbek

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:02:22 -0500

Did you actually watch the video? It's pretty damn serious. Kudos to the rescue workers.

flapjack

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:01:01 -0500

Wow making fun of a swift water rescue, classy.

ihatewalks

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:54:31 -0500

It is a message from gawd. He says to chill with the frankincense and myrrh a bit this xmas. Sure. Godot speaks through broken water mains all the time!

monkeyrotica

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:49:24 -0500

C'mon. lighten up. Nobody gets hurt in Bethesda.

no_more_caffeine

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 09:46:35 -0500

Sommer, seriously? Already making fun of the response before everyone has been safely accounted for? Weak.