Man Heroic Against Flash Flood

The quick actions of a local man spared disaster from an impending flash flood.

Early morning reports indicated normal precipitation levels. Citizens hydrated freely to quench typical overnight drying conditions. Customarily 32 ounces would be consumed in the course of the morning. Occasionally, as on this day, watering is complete by midmorning; only rarely would it contribute to a flooding risk.

However, alarms sounded with incredible timing, in the midst of 3 consecutively stacked meetings at town hall.

Scenes unfolded dramatically in the mayor's office, where a critical employee performance review was underway. Tensions ran high as the mayor struggled to finish the task with poise in the face of growing pressure. While maintaining a mostly steady hand as contracts were signed, he was seen to shift uncomfortably in his seat. Nearly imperceptible rocking motions evolved into an unconvincingly standing hunched position. Friendly banter disintegrated into curt, dismissive fragments with strong overtones of conclusion.

News that flood waters were cresting the banks caused the endangered to sprint for safety, with panicked thoughts of inestimable damage to the town's property and reputation.

Just when all seemed lost, a man familiar with the plumbing system dashed into the control room, opened the door, and activated a release valve. Few in the area could fully appreciate the gruesome fate they narrowly avoided, as the flood waters rapidly receded.

Looking both ecstatic and drained, the mayor praised the heroic effort and imposed a temporary ban on water usage "until conditions become clearly more favorable."