Photos Of Massive Storm That Hit Madison Isthmus

We like to think we are strong and in control of all things. Then we are reminded of real power in the hands of something else. James and I had an interesting night–a long night.

I started my venture around the neighborhood at about 5:30 A.M with a camera in hand. As one might expect there were many people out looking at the debris from last night’s storm. I was struck at various places by things such as metal siding wrapped around a light pole, a sailboat upside down in Lake Monona, a playground set under a huge tree that had blown down, or streets blocked to traffic from the massive, uprooted trees lying about as if they were matchsticks flung about for fun.

Many of the people I talked with spoke about a noise–a large rumbling noise that came moments before the wind. Some people went to their basements, but most I talked with were watching the weather reports on TV and spent the storm in their living rooms. One man I spoke with slept through it, and one woman gasped as I passed her house and she was first looking out at the scene in her robe and slippers as she walked down her steps.

“This is so sad,” she said and covered her mouth with her hand.

Lots to clean up but lots to be grateful for too as we take note of the most important fact that no one–as far as I know–was hurt.

Last week I took a photo for this blog of a Blue Heron on a pier. This is how it looked this morning.

Trees are down all over the area, and B.B. Clarke Beach is like many other parts of the area with destruction all about.

The canoes stored on city rental racks at the park are all gone, and some this morning can be seen in the water. One rental landed under a tree that also landed in the water.

Walking towards Yahara River and at times hugging the shoreline brought more than one grimace to my face. At least three trees are down in the photo below. A young man who looked to be in his late teens appeared stunned as he gazed upon the impact of the storm.