My car was one of those damaged in the flooding at Elm Plaza after a recent sudden, torrential downpour in Waterville.

The last thing I expected to see when I’d finished my grocery shopping was murky water, three-quarters of the way up my tires after the storm drains failed. Some cars were even worse off than mine was.

I’m not writing to complain about the maintenance of the storm drains or the shape of the parking lot. My insurance will cover the damage to my car.

Instead, I’m writing to commend a small group of adolescents who were swimming around in the parking lot.

At first, I thought they were just taking advantage of the sudden appearance of a pond in the middle of the shopping district on a hot day. Then I realized that they were helping motorists to get their cars out of the flooded lot, and clearing away debris from a blocked storm drain, after which the water slowly began to recede.

These teenagers, unasked, risked their health in the murky and frankly unpleasant-smelling parking lot pond to help others, and they should be commended. Although I was not one of the ones lucky enough to have their car start immediately after the flooding, several others that the teens pushed into shallower waters drove away their cars with what seemed like no problems.

I’d like to thank the teens, not only for removing the blockage and helping motorists get their cars to safety, but for the sacrifice of one of their cell phones, accidentally left in a pocket that was submerged in the flood water. Thanks, nameless teens.

Margaret Cates

Vassalboro