Update: Due to the intense rain, DC Water says they’re investigating a possible Sanitary Sewer Overflow that may have occurred overnight in the C & O Canal National Historical Park. As a result, part of the Capital Crescent Trail is closed.
Original post:
Happy Bike to Work Day, D.C.! Though, considering how much rain we just got, it probably would’ve been more appropriate to take a boat to work today.
Actually, taking a boat to work probably would’ve been better than literally any other mode of transportation this morning. Since it started raining last night, the rainfall totals for the D.C. area is about 2.6 inches—with the totals far higher in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs—basically screwing everything up this morning.
Since about 7:30 a.m., the District Department of Transportation’s Twitter feed has been a steady stream of announcing road closures due to flooding: Broad Branch Road NW between Beach Drive and Davenport Street; parts of 16th Street NW; Canal Road NW At Arizona Avenue NW; basically most roads in Rock Creek Park. Luckily, a lot of those roads are reopen now.
And for those taking the Metro to work today, well, that looked like fun. The Green and Yellow lines were delayed due to a signal problem, while a disabled train at the Wheaton station caused single-tracking and severe delays on the Red Line.
Green line trains haven’t moved in 40 minutes #wmata
— Sophie Gilbert (@sophieGG) May 16, 2014
God is still good but this is the second time the green line has ruined my life in 2 weeks ?
— Holly✞ (@hollyinprint) May 16, 2014
You KNOW the Yellow/Green line delays are bad when @wmata and @Metrorailinfo tell you to use THE RED LINE as an alternate. @unsuckdcmetro
— Hilary Tone (@HToneTastic) May 16, 2014
It’s alright @wmata it’s not like I’ve got places to be cc: @unsuckdcmetro pic.twitter.com/02QT0XqAyx
— Nathan McDermott (@Nate_McDermott) May 16, 2014
Oh and if you were planning to take a MARC train to D.C. this morning, you were probably shit out of luck, as service was suspended on the Brunswick and Martinsburg lines because of a fallen tree on the track.
Meanwhile, WJLA reports that the torrential rain caused numerous power outages throughout the D.C. region, with Pepco reporting more than 1,500 customers without power.
And for those brave souls who did fight the elements and bike to work today, well, I hope you brought a change of clothes. The good news is that the rain is pretty much done, according to the National Weather Service, so you can dry off and go on with your Friday.
