We have been having heavy rain in Spain lately, which is something for which we are grateful. Our dams have been at historic lows and Summer is just around the corner, so we get to breath a sigh of relief.
When the rains come as hard as we have been experiencing they bring along with them certain problems, especially for drivers, that test our powers of good sense and judgement. Places where we normally simply drive through become flooded, or are likely to flood. At such places we must take extreme caution. To begin with, if we are aware of what is coming it would be prudent to stay off the road. However, should we get caught unawares, then we need to exercise prudent caution.
I live high up a mountain alongside a major pozo de agua. I think it's a strange place to have a major source of water, but there you are. At the bottom of the mountain there is an outlet for the overflow of this water, which in normal times translates into a babbling brook. It had been raining for five days when on the Monday we suffered torrential downpours. On the Tuesday that turned the slowly running water into a full scale raging river. As a result that closed off the road to all traffic, but one person, who thought that she just had to pass over, launched her car into the river and was immediately swept off the low bridge. Fortunately, the car became stuck. She called home for help, and the call was relayed to the Guardia Civil. As good luck had it they were just next door and responded within a minute of taking the call.
One officer belted up without hesitation while his companion held the lifeline for him to reach the car. The rescuer dragged her out of the car and together they were pulled to dry land. At that point she turned to look at her car. It was gone, swept away into the main Turia river, never to be seen since. Her bad judgement brought her to within seconds of death.
This is one of those stories from which we can all learn. Prevention is best. During periods of such continuous disturbed weather we should be constantly monitoring what is happening, and we should take all reasonable action to protect our family and other precious possessions.
No one else will do it for us!
Copyright (c) 2015 Eugene Carmichael
