Chapter 226 Torrential Rain
Monday.
Nash was noticeably quieter during this meeting, keeping the conversation strictly work-related and superficial. This made Caroline wonder if his previous behavior had all been her imagination or misinterpretation.
The inspection company randomly tested the cables on site and took some samples back for testing. Nash came up to Caroline and said, "The next batch of cables is scheduled to arrive by the end of October, according to the contract. If you need them sooner, let me know in advance, and I can adjust with other orders."
It was hard to say if there would be an urgent need, so Caroline could only thank him first. "Thanks in advance. I'll contact you early if needed."
Nash nodded. "Alright, I'll be going now."
After seeing off Nash and the inspection staff, Caroline gathered the main leaders to discuss emergency plans for preventing flood disasters.
Following past practice, they needed to inspect and maintain key power lines, and reinforce power towers and cable installations with safety hazards.
Last year's emergency work was handled by Xander, so naturally, this year it fell to Caroline.
Caroline said, "The Municipal Emergency Command Center requires us to ensure power supply when the flood season arrives. This will also provide support for later repair and rescue work."
"Also, the rice fields in Seaside City serve as an important base for the province's grain reserves. If power outages cause poor drainage in the farmland and crop losses, next year's grain reserves will be seriously affected."
"Regarding the emergency coordination mechanism, we need to coordinate with government departments to communicate flood conditions and emergency responses in a timely manner. We'll work with related companies to form a comprehensive power emergency support system."
"We also need to establish cooperative relationships with equipment manufacturers and material suppliers to ensure our emergency supplies. Yesterday, VoltWave Cables already delivered the first batch of cables and power equipment to Warehouse No. 1. The inspection report should be ready in the next day or two."
"Once power equipment is damaged, causing power outages, we'll have sufficient materials for repairs and reconstruction. Also, we need to contact professional rescue teams in advance to prepare for technical support and on-site rescue work."
"For activation standards, we'll follow previous requirements. First, as soon as a red rainstorm warning is issued, or we receive a rainstorm disaster warning signal from the Municipal Flood Control Office, Emergency Command Center, or Meteorological Bureau, the plan will be activated immediately. Second, if there's rapid river rise, river backflow, dam overflow, reservoir water levels exceeding standards, or mountain floods, the emergency plan must be activated immediately. Third..."
The meeting ended near noon. Based on the responsibility divisions in the emergency plan, Caroline began assigning staff to arrange work. Over the next week, they would not only face flood prevention tasks but also need to conduct dedicated inspections of all power infrastructure within Seaside City's jurisdiction.
Leopold had just entered the house when he saw rain boots and raincoats in the hallway. He changed into slippers and walked toward the kitchen, asking, "Whose stuff is at the door?"
Caroline said, "Mine. There's going to be heavy rain within a week. If flooding happens, I'll need to go to the site, so I'm preparing in advance just in case."
Leopold had heard from Lily that there would be heavy to torrential rain recently, and she was worried about whether the newly built program facilities at Solstice Mountain Hotel would be affected. After communicating with the production team, he postponed the recording to early next month.
Leopold said, "You're going to the site?"
Caroline turned off the heat, plated the stir-fried beef, and carried the plate to the dining room, saying as she walked, "Of course I have to go."
"But you're a woman, do they really expect you to do this?" Leopold came out after washing his hands, returned to the dining room, and took the bowl and chopsticks Caroline handed him.
She took off her apron and sat down, countering, "Women can do the same work as men. When it's my turn, I won't back down."
"But if there's really flooding, it's so dangerous, and you're still going to rescue people?" Leopold was worried about her.
"Who told you flood prevention means jumping in the water to rescue people?" Caroline laughed. "I'm not going to rescue people. I'm going to patrol power equipment, fix problems quickly, and ensure the city's power supply."
"I see." Leopold's worried heart settled down.
At night, while sleeping groggily, she heard a sudden gust of wind and thunder outside the window.
Caroline opened her eyes and saw a flash of lightning across the curtain, like a sharp sword splitting the dark sky. Instantly, the night was illuminated like daylight. Immediately after, rumbling thunder shook the entire city, and the window glass seemed to tremble too.
Large raindrops beat against the glass, making crackling sounds. Within seconds, torrential rain poured down, and the outside was drowned in the sound of rain.
Leopold held Caroline tighter. She pushed him, "I'm going to close the balcony windows."
"I'll go."
Leopold got out of bed, went to the balcony where rain had soaked the floor, closed the windows, and took a cloth to wipe it dry.
Caroline didn't sleep well that night. Given the intensity of this rain, by tomorrow morning, the rivers and reservoirs would surely have risen significantly.
She got up at dawn. To avoid waking Leopold, she closed the door, made him breakfast, and left.
At work, she received calls from power supply stations in several villages reporting that due to the fierce flooding, some power equipment in the villages had tilted or collapsed, urgently needing cable replacement and equipment reinforcement.
Caroline immediately contacted the warehouse to dispatch trucks to deliver the remaining cables to the village power stations that needed them. Everyone went to their assigned areas.
Axel suddenly had a high blood pressure episode, so Caroline took over Elmwood Bend, which was originally his responsibility.
As it happened, Axel's area had severe disaster conditions. Caroline grabbed her rain boots and raincoat and called Ulysses and Oliver to go to Elmwood Bend.
Ulysses glanced at the person in the back seat and said, "Ms. Tudor, with such heavy rain, you're still coming along."
Caroline said, "The disaster in Elmwood Bend is serious. Three power towers have collapsed, and the entire northern village area has lost power. How can I not go?"
Oliver also said, "Who would have thought this year's disaster would hit Elmwood Bend? They've been pretty peaceful these past few years."
Caroline said, "The reservoir upstream of Elmwood Bend was completed at the beginning of the year, but no one expected a once-in-fifty-year rainstorm. If they don't release the floodwater, the entire Cloverfield will be flooded. With lives at stake, they have no choice."
Oliver sighed, "But after they release the flood, our downstream villages suffer."
Caroline's expression was serious. "The Cloverfield reservoir is also releasing water in stages. Once it reaches maximum capacity, they'll open the gates. Let's hope the rain stops."
Ulysses glanced at the misty sky. Though he didn't want to say it, this rain really wasn't going to stop anytime soon.
Caroline's phone rang. "Hello, this is Caroline... I understand... Are you sure?... Okay, I got it."
After hanging up, Oliver noticed Caroline's expression had become even more serious.
"Ms. Tudor, what's wrong?"
Caroline said, "That was the Meteorological Bureau. They said there's going to be another extremely heavy rainstorm tonight."