Never take an elevator in a rainstorm...
Note to self: never take the elevator in a torrential rainstorm. I took the trash to the basement, got to the bottom and water rushed in from underneath the door, just like in the movies, mid-calf level.
About 3 seconds of panic turned into "Really, is this how I'm gonna go?" Then I thought about how the 50 students I teach college statistics to would get incompletes for the semester since their final exam is tomorrow. Finally, I thought of how my wife was going to be super annoyed with my decision to ride the elevator in a downpour.
The doors wouldn't open and the buttons did nothing. I couldn't go to another floor. I was stuck, bathing in backed up sewage.
About a minute later the water stabilized and started to subside. I tried the elevator call button and it didn't work. So, I rang the buzzer hoping the maintenance man would hear it. No luck yet.
I balanced my trash in one hand and carefully withdrew my phone from my pocket, mildly anxious about dropping it in the water.
Good thing I had it. I often leave it at home for short trash runs. I dialed 911. After several rings I got a recording that repeated for 2 minutes straight. Fortunately I was only trapped in a hot box with sewer water irritating my feet, and not the victim of a violent crime. Someone picked up and took directions for the fire department.
My wife got home from work, texted and asked if I was the person in the elevator. Yup. I was now the subject of several neighbors and my wife, all seeking to have me rescued.
It was getting hot and stinky in the elevator. I felt glad that I could stop ringing the buzzer, and that I didn't get electrocuted standing in all that water. Small favors.
Neighbors yelled down the shaft to tell me help was on the way. I learned later they were trying to keep me calm. I wasn't panicked at that point though. The water mostly drained and it was just a waiting game. Though, the thought did cross my mind that I could run out of air or pass out if it got too hot. I stopped yelling in response to their queries.
Several calls to fire, and to building security, and several people on standby. I wished I got video of the water rushing in instead of the pic you see in this post where most water had already drained. Content is king.
Finally after some time I was let out. But suffice it to say, I was thankful that people were around and available to help. Plus, I have an entertaining story to tell when I administer tomorrow's exam.