Apartment Flood

Tonight the city of Auburn experienced a quick onset of heavy rain. This heavy rain was welcomed by most but caused a headache for a few. My apartment is on the bottom level of the building and when the heavy rain came my apartment began to flood. I became mindful that flooding can be described by a simple mass balance. Flooding is caused by an accumulation of water on top of the ground. The water is leaving the air faster than the ground can absorb it. These standing waters are subject to gravitational forces and run downhill. When the drains that are meant to divert the water exceed their maximum flowrate capacity the water goes to less desirable places,like in apartments.