Storm photos

I thought, since it was Skywatch Friday, I should report on our storm. We had a great storm cross the province last night. A tornado in spots. Powerful winds and horizontal rain. I am glad we have power back on. I know that others have phenomenal footage and still shots. I chose to run around closing windows! The lightning strikes shocked me; I screamed and scared my husband! The was a huge crack just behind the house. One runs to the window hoping not to see damage, and we did not!

I love how the media are accepting viewer/citizen's photos. It gives a better picture of what has happened. Here is the slide show CBC put together. Such incredible amateur photographers out there. Bracebridge was hard hit.

We were relatively unscathed. Nestled amongst the trees, I was down at the lake, putting tools away, as a large cloud moved across. No problem, I thought. It has passed. Up on the deck I watched the wall of water suddenly move behind the islands across the lake. I warned the cat that she ought to come in. Nope. I grabbed the videocam and by the time it turned on the wall of water hit us. The cat made a better choice!
BTW
I would love to find someone to teach me how to take photos of lightning.
After the storm passed, I went out to assess the damage.
My plants weigh bout 50 lbs., tipped over. The mop, nearly dry from floor washing (yes, I have been cleaning, Mom!) soaked! Oh well. Could be worse.
There were branches the diameter of my wrist lying here and there. It just shows how important it is to take cover. The rain horizontal, trees frantically whipped by winds, leaves turned upside down in supplication to Mother Nature to be kind.

Our heavy bench was gob smacked in the shock of the wind.

Upon closer look, I spotted my chair. The Hand of God had tipped, but the spruce's roots held in shallow soil. Branches wrapped like arms around the top of the 6' chair, and prevented it from tipping over. I had to right it. It weighs about 200 lbs! BB bear stares in awe at the damage. (Well, he stares all the time, but I'm sure he was awed!) He did not tip over.


But we heard many, many horror stories. I feel badly for those with major damage.
I love to capture footage of the clouds: Muskoka Storm Approaches , Muskoka Thundershowers , Rainstorm Oct. 14. This one is my favourite, up before dawn and using my antique tripod.

August is the worst month. We had a hurricane pass through August 2, 2006. My poor father was so upset with dementia, living in his retirement home. His TV was off. In the middle of this hurricane he phoned me and said, "The candle in the oven has gone out!" Meantime, the tree branches were horizontal. Rain was pounding us. The brain tumour had grown in the area of expressive language and he could not retrieve nouns. Poor man. Concepts were lost to him, too.