Flooding cripples US capital

WASHINGTON, June 26 (Reuters) Floods that ravaged the US capital kept government tax collectors and federal agents away from work today and closed the home of the Declaration of Independence.

With as much as 7 inches (18 cm) of rain having fallen since yesterday, flooded basements or electrical problems forced the closure of the Internal Revenue Service and Commerce Department headquarters, most of the US Justice Department and the National Archives.

A century-old elm tree toppled at the White House and cars floated at flooded intersections on Constitution Avenue, which runs past tourist attractions such as the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial.

The federal government told its 280,000 area workers they could take leave time if they were unable to get to work.

Amtrak canceled seven early passenger trains between Washington and New York, and commuter rail service was disrupted. Mud washed onto the Capital Beltway highway, closing lanes. Many commuters took to the streets to walk.

The National Archives, which houses the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution and other treasured documents, said inspections ''revealed no damage to original records.'' The White House also escaped damage when the elm tree fell near the north door to the presidential residence, said spokesman Bill Line for the National Park Service, which maintains the grounds.

Sun emerged today morning but more rain was predicted. ''We have the potential for more problems, especially tomorrow,'' said National Weather Service meteorologist Andy Woodcock.

A flash-flood warning was in effect for the greater Washington metropolitan area until today evening, and a flood watch was in effect until Tuesday, the weather service said. Heavy rains and flooding also caused problems elsewhere along the US East Coast.

As of noon (1930 IST) departing flights, both national and international, were delayed as much as an hour at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and 45 minutes at Dulles International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Washed out track operated by CSX Corp disrupted freight and passenger service south of Washington.

The heavy rainfall broke a single-day record for June 25 that goes back to 1870, Woodcock said.

Some 14,000 Dominion power customers in Virginia were without electricity while some 9,200 PEPCO customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia had lost power, WUSA television station reported.

The fallen White House elm tree, planted in the first years of the 20th century, met an ignominious end. ''Nature took its toll ...

The tree is being mulched as we speak,'' Line said.

REUTERS SB KN2330