Mainichi reporter stranded 7 hours on flooded roads after torrential rain hit Chiba Pref.

In Chiba Prefecture, a 27-year-old Mainichi Shimbun reporter spent an extensive seven hours stuck in flooded roads on August 13. The reporter, after concluding work at the Chiba Prefectural Police headquarters in Chiba's Chuo Ward, embarked on a journey home, a mere 2 kilometers away. As torrential rain poured, water began rushing out of maintenance holes along the route.

The streets were littered with cars immobilized due to the flooding. One car ahead of the reporter stalled when water reached the height of its tires, its driver evacuating to the roadside. Some commuters navigated the hazardous conditions using only the illumination of their smartphone flashlights, while others waded through water up to their knees.

Recognizing the perilous situation, the reporter pulled over on a non-flooded road, turning off the engine to conserve fuel. At around 9 p.m., vehicles began moving again, though the relentless rain and thunder continued without relief. The floodwater on adjacent roads seemed to be receding. After swiftly refueling at a nearby gas station, the reporter attempted to resume her journey again.

However, heavy traffic congestion on a national road halted her progress. At approximately 1 a.m. on August 14, the reporter finally reached her apartment building, only to discover that the elevator had ceased functioning for an undisclosed reason.