Severe Weather Warning

After a little yard work in the morning (while there was still shade), I headed out to run a few errands yesterday afternoon. In route, the radio station was interrupted by the emergency broadcast warning beeps and a "Severe Thunderstorm Warning". I listened to the warning which didn't "specifically" list Goose Creek, looked up at the sky, which didn't "look" terribly threatening, disregarded the warning and continued on my journey. After all, I needed some paint for my next project! First stop - paint store, second stop - Lowes where I began to realize the sound I was hearing was not heavy equipment being moved through the store, but distant thunder. I thought to myself, "Hmmm, maybe I should head home".
I quickly finished my shopping and headed out to my car as the rain drops began to fall. Within a few minutes there were loud claps of thunder and multiple lighting strikes all around me. I only had my prescription sunglasses with me and the dark clouds had quickly turned day into night, making them essentially useless. The water was coming down in buckets; the drains couldn't keep up and the streets had standing water everywhere; needless to say, the short drive home was pretty scary! Lessons learned: 1. If you hear a severe weather warning, LISTEN and heed the warning! 2. Keep a pair of regular driving glasses in the car. 3. Painting can wait. 4. Run errands early in the day in this weather, the thunderstorms arrive in the afternoon on a regular basis with this hot, humid weather. Yes, I'm missing the beautiful weather you're having in the pacific northwest right now!