A Real Storm

We've finally had some real rain here! Last week we had a good downpour that got everything soaked, including me. I was with a friend trying to walk across town. Every time it let up we started walking again, and then when the clouds re-opened we had to duck under the nearest roof and chat with the others huddled around.

Last night was the first time we had a really wild storm. My wife and I had just settled into a board game with a couple of friends when we noticed the sky turning an ominous shade of brown and yellow. We got up to close the windows, but before we had them all closed the dust hit.

It is hard to describe a dust storm. Imagine a tornado in a sand pit, except that instead of forming a funnel the wind just whips around in wild squiggles going every which direction. It would have enough energy to do serious damage if only it could make up its mind which way it wanted to go. Doors and windows that aren't latched bang open and then slam shut again. A bucket tumbles end-over-end down the street. A television antenna on the apartment across the street bends over as if there were a pole vaulter hanging off the end.

The air is so thick with dust that it's like wearing yellow sunglasses. If you stand looking into the wind it feels like you're taking a shower, but grittier. If you turn around and look at where the wind is going, you can actually see the wind currents flowing around buildings and billowing up into the air. Every detail of the wind's movement is highlighted in yellow sand.

Before the sand had completely blown over, the rain fell. The fine layer of dust that coated every building, tree and person in sight quickly turned to mud and then began to disappear, as if it were melting.

The rain began somewhat gently but then got into the swing of things. Soon it was pelting down enough rain to qualify as a genuine storm. But it had more in store.

After the initial excitement with the dust and rain, we sat back down to play our game. It took us a little while to wipe all the dust off of the board, cards, and table (we had left the door open so the whole room was coated in dust). Just as we restarted play, there was a fantastic blaze of light. We had the lights on in the house but it was still clearly visible. After a pause, there came one of the loudest claps of thunder I have ever heard. Then came another flash, followed by a rumble that lasted nearly 10 seconds. We were very glad to be in a low house right next several tall apartment buildings, all of them with tall television antennas.

The rain carried on for a while and then calmed to a drizzle, which it persisted in maintaining for the next three hours. All in all, it was a very satisfactory storm.