Saturday, February 27, 2010

Global Weirding Hits Egypt

In Digital Journal, Andrew Moran writes:

In Egypt, a strong hail storm has killed at least four people and injured approximately 50. The storm has caused extreme chaos on the streets of Egypt's capital. Friday, a hail storm in Cairo, Egypt has killed at least four people and more than 50 others. Severe weather conditions have caused chaos in the capital’s streets, while traffic accidents have increased and panic among citizens. Cairo’s storms saw slippery roads and lightning consistently striking the streets. In the northern Mediterranean city of Alexandria, there have been reports of waves as high as two-story buildings. The General Authority for Red Sea Ports announced that a European luxury cruise ship smashed into a pier in the small town of Sharm el-Sheikh in the morning, which killed three sailors and injuring four tourists. Meteorologists are expecting the weather to continue into the weekend.

Our Personal Experience:

Thursday morning we were walking to the gym when I felt a drop on my head. "It's raining! Either that, or a bird just shat on my head," I said. "I'm sure it's a bird," Seth offered helpfully. Then he felt a drop. Nope, it was rain. This was only the beginning. Later that day the wind kicked up and the dark clouds rolled in. Marble-sized hail began to batter the windows and trees. I wouldn't say it was "raining" so much as "mudding." All the accumulated dust and grit on every leaf was washed down onto the roads and cars, covering them in sticky mud. From the apartment window the lightning lit up the wild scene outside, accented by occasional cracks of thunder. I was oblivious to the havoc the storm was wreaking with the city.

By 7:00 pm I hadn't heard from Seth yet to say he was on his way home, which is unusual. I picked up the phone to call him but there was no dial tone. Cell phones weren't working either. Clue #1. Thirty minutes later Seth got a text message through saying that he was on the subway platform waiting for a train. A half an hour after that he called to say he was stuck on a train that had lost power with some passengers choosing to abandon the train and walk. He stayed on and the train began to move again, slowly. Then it stopped again and this time he joined the crowd leaving for the streets. Once off the tracks and on the road he realized it was going to be one long 7 mile walk home on flooded roads as traffic was at a stand still and all cabs were full. Ugh.

The poor guy schlept himself along in soggy dress shoes for the next 2 hours. When he finally got close enough that the cars could get through I drove to meet him and bring him home.

*sigh* Rough night, but it was much worse form some others. Happily home safely.

1 comment:

Deborah said...

Wow! I have not experienced anything at all like that here. I'm glad Seth eventually made it home okay.

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