Editor's note:

It's a sad but true fact that disasters can bring people together. The devastating downpour that hit Beijing on July 21 shocked not only locals, but also expat residents who are usually inured to the aridity of the Chinese capital. Their sorrow at the deaths of 77 people was mixed with admiration and gratitude for the drivers who volunteered to help the stranded, the selfless actions of the citizens who visited the sick and the elderly to ensure their safety and the work of the emergency services. China Daily spoke to a number of expats to gauge their reactions to the storm and its impact.

Bonnie Elbaum, 38, from New Jersey, is a webmaster for a children's adoption agency in Beijing.