After a tense couple of days getting ready for the worst, reporters seem to want to sensationalize anything they can in the area. Thus, Main Street’s flooded area from Shurs Lane to Kelly Drive is one of the points on which news clips focused. When my mother called me in a tizzy of fear that we were all under water, I decided to write the story the media is avoiding: Manayunk is not all under water. 

After a tornado warning and a night with the kids in the living room, a working coffee maker and TV were a welcomed experience this morning. Still in my PJs I left the kids with dad at 7 a.m. and headed out to grab some pictures of the neighborhood and see what was going on.  

Patch ran a live blog all day, to which I was to contribute updates on closed roads and negative issues. Problem was, there was not much negative news to report! Many people have basement issues to deal with, but as for our roads power outages, we were spared. 

In fact, in typical Many-Rox fashion, residents not only survived, but many enjoyed the day. Main Street West of Shurs Lane was open for business and dry. Ridge Ave looked no worse than any other summer storm. My prayers go out for the 4.5 million people on the East Coast without power today, many of whom are in the greater Philadelphia area, but Philadelphia proper has escaped harm, comparatively speaking.  

The Spiral Bookcase hosted a Hurricane Party. Friends filed in with food, drink and a guitar for an “expanded living room” hang out. Others came to browse the books after hearing reports from Patch and CBS news about the event. “I didn’t know if anyone would show up,” owner Anne said, “But it’s proved to be a good day.”

All day, people strolled Main Street, the Towpath, and the bridges to enjoy the temperate weather, views of the growing waterline, and (eventually) the sunshine. Families, moms with strollers, teens, hipsters, young professionals, and old men were all out and about. Along the ridge, Bobs Diner was open bright and early, as was 7-11, Crossroads Cafe and Taylor's. Mad River was flooded as  you probably saw on the News. However, almost all of the Main Street restaurants were open: Jake’s, Zesty’s, Sapphire, Kildares, Manayunk Tavern, the U.S. Bar and Grill and even Chloe’s Ice Cream Stand had a long line for sweet treats.  

All in all, I was reminded of why I love Philadelphia. Our power tends to stay on, we don’t get floods, tornados, or earthquakes (well, until recently), and in my neighborhood, people come out in a hurricane to watch the Wissahickon creek turn into a raging river, and enjoy the day with friends and family, one way or another.