Torrential

The phrase “heavy rain” doesn’t even begin to describe the tremendous amounts of precipitation we’ve had in my mountainside berg in Colorado, over the last three or four days.

“Epic rainfall” is closer to the mark. Several people have been killed and there is extensive flooding over a very large area. Technically it has become a hundred-year flood.

President Obama has declared a State of Emergency. In addition to the two confirmed deaths, at least nine other people are missing.

As of Wednesday night, six and a half inches had fallen in a 24-hour period. The really heavy rain began after that. It has barely let up.

Schools are closed today (Friday) for the second straight day. One of the main highways between here and Denver was closed for a time, but is gradually reopening. I don't know how many people have been forced to evacuate their homes. Hundreds, easily; probably thousands.

Flood borne debris is scattered far and wide. Bridges have collapsed. Cars have been flipped over by surging water.

A common sentiment here is, "I've never seen anything like this before!" In times of crisis we fall back on cliches. Cliches are made of truth.

This morning I rode my bicycle over to a nearby golf course. The rain was in a lull when I left. What I found at the golf course was quite spectacular, though not in a good way.

Speaking solely of ourselves, we are safe. No localized flooding. Others are not so fortunate.

We aren't exactly drying out, but there hasn't been too much rain today. It started falling again while I was out on the bike but has since tapered off.

But there is more rain in the forecast.