Monday, November 06, 2006

Basement flooding alert issued!

The news media is reporting emergency warnings being issued all over the Portland area and beyond due to our current typhoon-like weather. Rivers are overflowing, buildings are being swept off their foundations, and cars are hydroplaning all over the place. Weatherman Bruce Sussman says:
"Today's storm is an incredible mix: part of the rain we'll have is what's left of Typhoon Cimaron, which hammered the Phillipines last week. Thousands of miles later, here comes rain from that thing, headed right at us"
"And this series of systems has also tapped into warm, moist air down near Hawaii. It's kind of like there's this invisible fire hose in the sky that stretches from the islands to Oregon. And right now, we're at the end where all the water comes out."


That description is quite good. But I'd like to suggest that adding to the river alerts we include basement flooding alerts. Do you know how many coworkers I spoke with today who are battling water in the basement? I currently have the dehumidifier running on high in the basement of our 1911 house, keeping fingers crossed that the wee little trickle will disappear shortly. We had our basement finished this summer and it's like a nice big modern apartment down there complete with nice lighting and carpet, paint, and all new walls. It was a huge undertaking and a hefty investment. Every day this past week we've gone downstairs warily to take it in and make sure it's still nice and dry. Today? There's that wee darn trickle.

Sidenote: Did you know that after traveling for years in their leather clothes, the explorers Lewis and Clark found that their clothes actually rotted on them here in the Northwest because of the chronic and relentless rain? I know that's romantic. Here's a taste of rain from my back door this afternoon...

So here's my weather alert for Portlanders: WARNING ISSUED FOR ALL OLDER HOME OWNERS: YOUR BASEMENTS WILL SOON HAVE WATER IN THEM. RAISE ALL CARDBOARD BOXES OFF THE GROUND AND BEGIN DEHUMIDIFYING IMMEDIATELY******ALSO, ADDITIONAL ALERTS ARE BEING ISSUED FOR BAD HAIR. YOUR HAIR WILL GET WET TODAY YOU WILL HAVE BAD HAIR. GUARANTEED. FORGET THE UMBRELLAS BECAUSE WE ARE ALSO HAVING WIND******

7 comments:

Rozanne said...

OK. I just went down and checked. Our 1941 house does indeed have evidence of water leaking in the same place I usually see it. It's not bad and it's in a place that doesn't matter. At least I hope it doesn't matter.

So what you're sort of saying is that leakage is normal, right?

I hope your leakage didn't do any damage to your new remodel. That would totally suck!

Alan Cordle said...

Weirdly off-topic, sort-of, but what company finished your basement and would you recommend them? (I haven't checked mine for leaks yet, but will after I get home from work).

LeLo said...

Rozanne-I think leakage in Portland is completely normal. We can't help it when our water table rises with so much rain. I think the secret is in having really good downspouts and having them all directed in the right direction...away from your hourse.

Syd, yes, yes it does.

blue hole--I can't find a link on your blog for an e mail address, but i did find a very lovely halloween costume complete with a pink pony on your head. Shoot me an e mail at sassygardener at gmail.com and I'll tell you who and how we had the work done.

Anonymous said...

You are a blogging fool today!!!

Love it!

purpletwinkie said...

Ho hum. I just came in from the back patio. I was counting stars in our clear desert sky.


Alright, alright. You know I don't want to see water damage in your house even though you are bitchy to me.

Hope the rain lightens up.

brett said...

yup. water in the basement. but not under an area where there is a downspout. 'splain dat!

grrr. out 1890's house can take a beating, but constant rain keeps me up at night. no matter what I've done to arrest the situations, the water still finds a way to get in.

so much for "fixing"

Anonymous said...

Basements--do we really need them? Never had one, never will. Loved the way you slammed the door, then slammed it again! Good luck
Hugs, Mom