WATER WEIGHTS: How hard is it to...

WATER WEIGHTS: How hard is it to escape from a rain-swollen flood control channel? . . . L.A. City Search and Rescue expert Lance Messner says the force of chest-high water moving at 10 m.p.h. is equal to bench-pressing 350 pounds. Tuesday’s L.A. River flow hit 20 m.p.h. Top speeds can reach 40 m.p.h. “You really develop a respect for the water when you see what we see out here,” Messner said.

ICEMAN COMETH? Some people are really glad the hockey season seems set to resume (A1). Among them: Judy Miller of Woodland Hills. . . . She’s married to L.A. Kings announcer Bob Miller, who’s been cooped up at home during the lockout. “I was frustrated at times,” says Bob. “Every once in awhile I would complain about something in the house and she kiddingly says ‘Get this season started.’ ”

WET WELCOME: Small Business Administration chief Philip Lader, above, visited the Valley to discuss earthquake loans, but he couldn’t ignore the rain. . . . SBA officials say loans from this week’s storms could top flood assistance given in 1992 (B3).

CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF: FAA officials eased a flight ban Wednesday on the ATR commuter aircraft, thanks to icing tests partially conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in Lancaster. . . . The ATR flew behind an Air Force tanker jet that sprayed water onto the ATR’s body, forming ice crystals. Said Edwards spokesman Gary Hatch: “There aren’t very many places in the world where you can have a test like this done.”

HE’ZZZZ BAAAACK: Who says crime doesn’t pay . . . in stardom? Barry Minkow appears on “The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder” Friday at 12:30 a.m. Minkow served about seven years in prison for defrauding investors of his Reseda-based ZZZZ Best Co. CBS spokeswoman Rosemary Keenan says future shows could feature other Valley swindlers. “Maybe we’ll have (junk bond king Michael) Milken on some other time,” Keenan said.