We went through a ferocious lightning storm yesterday between Minneapolis, MN and Appleton, WI. As we looked down on the waves of neon green farmland and forest, we noticed standing water in nearly every farmer’s field. For the first time in a long time, we were in a small propeller plane. The place bucked with every blast of wind and every rumble of thunder. Just about the time the pilot lowered the landing gear, Liz and I were looking out to our window to the right when a bolt of lighting seemingly struck right next to the plane. We were sitting right in the front of the plane, with the Flight Attendant immediately buckled in next to us. Even the flight attended audibly gasped and had a look of complete fear. She realized the look on her face was scaring the passengers, so after a few moments she said something about the plane being able to withstand lightning. Fortunately, the pilot did a good job landing the plane in the storm. After we landed, we had to wait a little bit longer than usual in the plane until the airport personal could safely attach the metal jetway to the place in the storm. The pilot and co-pilot opened the flight door and were talkative to the flight attendent and some of the passengers in the front. The co-pilot mentioned the bolt of lightning immediately to the plane’s right as we made our final approach for the lightning. He said something about just closing his eyes for a moment and hoping…
Once on the ground, the storm absolutly pounded the area. At least a dozen tornados were reported across the area. And torrenential rains flooded rivers, roads, city streets, and parking lots. In Ripon, Wisconsin (home of Ripon Good Cookies), manhole covers shot into the air due to water pressure. In Oskkosh, Wisconsin, where they received 4.6 inches of rain during the storm, cars sat on the street with water above the tire wells. And as I understand, the worst of it was still further to the south near Madison, Milwaukee and Fond du Lac, where the area was already heavily flooded from this past weekend’s storm. We intend to visit my Madison, but now I’m sure if we will be able to do so, especially with rain in the forecast everyday in the near future.
June 13, 2008 at 8:53 am
Whoa, what a trip! Glad you and Liz arrived safely!! It’s bad enough being in one of those planes in good weather. Hope you have a good visit with family despite the rain!