Friday afternoon I was able to leave work early and head home, As I was heading home there was severe thunder storm warnings for my area along with flood warnings....
As I got of Rt. 270 West and proceeded north on Rt.27 (2 lane Rd.) I saw that there was a major backup, so I decided to take a backroad that would avoid the backup. What I didn't realise, is that there was a major storm that had already passed through the area and all the little streams have over flowed their banks. I first encountered a stream that had over flowed it's banks and was raging past the little cross over and I went ahead and crossed it in my 2002 Monte Carlo, I proceeded ahead, only to find that the next stream crossing was so over flowed that 4 cars had stalled trying to cross the raging streams and I had no choice but to turn around and go back.
As I got back to the first major crossing of flooded streams I had second thoughts of trying to cross the rapidly running flood waters, But I did it anyway (BAD MOVE)
As I got half way across the 18 to 14 inch flood waters, my car stalled and right in the middle of the flood waters, the flood waters got sucked into the intake of my airflow for the engine and the engine locked up due to hydrolocking (cylinders filling up with water). I opened up the drivers door only to see that me, and my car, was about to be swept down the creek. I quickly put into nuetral and started to push the car out of the deepest waters. Fortunately a a guy in a pick-up stopped and helped me by using a pull strap he had to pull me ouit of the raging flood waters.
After I myself and my car was pulled to safety I thanks the guy driving the truck and told him that I would be OK and that I would let the engine dry out, after several attempts I could see that I was not going to be able to get the car started and my battery was checking out. 2 hours went by and after several attempts to use my "On Star" emergency satellite phone I realised I was starnded.
Fortunately for me, a group of young kids who lived on a farm near by came to me rescue and drove their farm truck throuigh the raging flood waters to give me a jumpstart. (I made them take $40.00 for their help) and I was able to get my car started and make it home.
Unfortunately my car will need a new starter and possibly a new engine, The starter is trashed and the engine has been damaged by the water that got into the air intake and then into the combustion chambers. I think the head gaskets are blown and possibly a bent connecting rod or two. I got home just in time for three frinds of mins to pay me a visit, The beers and stories were flowing friday night I tell ya :-)
Friday the 13th was not a good day for me.