Milano has a half meter of water in the streets! (In places, not wall-to-wall.) The thunder has been rumbling for hours and I feel it in my seat as I sit here. They don’t make rain like this in Seattle! 

You can’t get here from there. I’ve been told there’s no way to or from my apartment and that I need a rubber dinghy instead of a bike. Via Spezia, a main arterial 1 block west, is underwater with cars included. I wonder what the canal 1 block east looks like right now!

A report from the school, NABA, says that there are 6 buildings flooded. 

I look out my windows and don’t see any space between the raindrops. No raincoat will do any good against this, and surely I should have packed my chest waders! It sounds like a good day to stay in and tie myself to the computer.

Half Hour Later:
I just found this report online:

“Milano è completamente allagata. Il traffico è paralizzato. Per fare 100 metri a piedi mi sono completamente inzuppata pantaloni e scarpe. In ufficio non arriva nessuno.” 

Translation: “Milano is completely flooded. Traffic is paralyzed. After going 100 meters on foot my pants and shoes are completely soaked. No one has arrived at the office.”

(For sure I’ll stay home! And the thunder still rumbles. Actually, if I had an umbrella, a sou’wester and some rubber boots, I’d probably go out just to take a look around.)

EARLY EVENING:
Quite the results! Electrical outtages. Traffic at a standstill. Bus, train and plane delays. Underpasses closed.

http://milano.corriere.it/milano/notizie/cronaca/09_luglio_7/temporale_milano_allagamenti-1601542022660.shtml

Parco Sempione (Photomasi)