 | | | Konnie Guo, a Club BTSYA, is currently a sophomore at Miramonte High School in Orinda. She is an avid reader, and during her spare time, enjoys playing the piano and doing volunteer work.
| | | | | | While all residents of Lamorinda were hit hard by the storm of a few weeks ago, teens were especially affected by the heavy rain and strong wind. Widespread power outages left many unable to complete their schoolwork.
Samuel Shain, a student at Miramonte High School, experienced unfortunate consequences from the rain. He says, "Our house sprung about four different leaks. The walls were peeling, and mud was coming in. The damage is enormous and is going to be very expensive."
Rain also created low visibility, slowing down traffic and covering the area in muddy puddles. As a result, many teens had to rise earlier in the morning to go to school despite the dark weather - not the normal routine for most adolescents.
A sinkhole occurred in Orinda near Tarabrook Drive, restricting cars to one lane of traffic. The road collapsed after a storm drain failed, leaving a large 15 by 20 foot gap. In Lafayette, a similar, but more serious sinkhole opened up on Mountain View Drive, measuring 15 feet deep and 40 feet wide. The street was seriously damaged, requiring drivers to seek a detour.
The slippery state of the roads required careful navigation when driving, and some students couldn't make it to class because of the incessant downpour and flooding. Many students on their way to school were required to don protective coats and other accessories to keep themselves dry. Becoming soaked with rain was extremely inconvenient, leaving teens with no choice but to shiver in the unrelenting cold for the rest of the school day.
However, there were some who actually enjoyed the rain. Fifteen-year-old Alexa Clark says, "I got to curl up in a blanket and watch Christmas movies. It was fun!" Clark was glad that staying indoors gave her more time to connect and bond with her family.
Now that we have a break in the weather, it's a good time to repair the damages, take stock of what we need to do to prepare for other storms, and make arrangements for food, warmth, and light so that we can continue our studies despite a power outage during the winter months.
Teen Scene is YOUR voice. If you have something to say or have writing skills and want to be part of our Teen Scene team, email our Teen Coach, Cynthia Brian, Cynthia@CynthiaBrian.com.
The opinions expressed in Teen Scene are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the Lamorinda Weekly.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA