Being a student at Appalachian State inevitably means dealing with some unpredictable weather. We are told to always carry an umbrella or rain jacket with us, even if it’s sunny and 70 degrees, because it could start raining at any second and most students have experienced this multiple times. But what happens when it starts to absolutely pour? When the floodgates open and there’s more rain than we know what to do with? Well, this is what a day looks like in the life of a student at App when the flooding begins.

1. First of all, nobody wants to leave the comfort of their dorms.

It’s warm and dry, who can blame you?

2. Unfortunately, your professor didn’t cancel so you have to.

Raincoat on, umbrella up, and you’re ready to face the storm. The stairs on campus have become waterfalls and the sidewalks have become rivers. If you’re a small person, it may be hard to walk straight when the wind is continually trying to knock you over.

3. Finally, you get to class, drenched just like everyone else there.

Looking around, only half the class actually showed up. Your professor is late because he got stuck in the rain too, and he thanks the few who braved the weather to come. And honestly, sitting in the same spot for an hour soaking wet is not much fun

4. Your classes are done and it’s time to go back to your dorm…

The only thing is your dorm is on the complete opposite side of campus. You and a friend begin the journey. Your umbrellas don’t last long, soon turned inside out, and you can see multiple other broken umbrellas strewn about across campus, their owners obviously had given up on them or had them ripped away by the wind. It’s going to be a long walk.

5. Continuing on, you start to make a game out of it.

You measure the depth of each puddle you pass with your waterproof boots. The only one you don’t dare measure are the ones in the expression tunnels because you can see they’re higher than your shoes.

6. The wind pushes you back and forth, side to side like it’s playing tug-of-war with your body.

You and your friend suffer multiple collisions. But you’re not the only thing getting whipped around. The rain is too, which means it stings when it hits your face. It’s not long before the two of you decide to turn around and walk backward because you physically can’t see the rain being forced into your eyes.

7. You’re almost back to your dorm and what do you see?

Students in their bathing suits literally trying to swim in some of the puddles. Because, well, if they’re big enough to, why not?

8. Walking in the door, your neighbor just stops and stares at you, a look of pity on his face.

You are literally leaving puddles where you are standing when someone else in the hall asks if it was raining much. The answer is no, it's completely dry outside.

9. And once you get inside your room, you start stripping.

Which, if you’ve ever tried to peel off layers of absolutely soaked clothes, it’s not fun. Hang up your coat, take off your boots. They were waterproof, but your socks are still drenched because somehow the rain managed to go straight down and into your shoes. You actually have to wring your socks, and everything else, out above the sink and drape them over the towel rack to dry. The towel that was hanging there you have to use to dry off your entire body, and then the floor.

10. Chances are if you live in a hall like East, your building has already started to flood and the big machines are placed to try to counteract it.

Kids towels are placed out in front of their doors to try to block the water from getting in.

11. Bringing the day to a close, you feel a sense of relief and comfort at being indoors.

Wrapped in dry clothes with a cup of hot chocolate from the Keurig in your hand, you have successfully survived another torrential rain at App State.