Worst storm ever

I was working at the cottage Wednesday night and about 8:00 p.m. a major thunder and lightning storm came through.  So strong I was afraid to be on the ladder inside because the lightning was so close.  I waited for it to let up so I could pack up and head home but it didn't seem to want to let up.  By 9:00 p.m. I figured I better make a break for it.  I have never been in a storm that rained so hard for such a long period.

I was worried about the sump pump not being able to keep up when I left.  I had to drive about 15 mph on the road back to Galena and several times went through areas where the water was running across the road.  I was very uncomfortable.  In Galena the manhole covers were off and water spouting out like a geyser.  When I finally got to Dubuque an hour later it still had not let up so I held up in a 24 hour McDonalds and watched the storm pass through on the radar on my laptop.

The next morning it was reported our area got 14 inches of rain!  Easily the most ever on record for one day. The lake is closed, the golf course is closed, the trails are closed, the marina and security offices are under water.  The lake raised so much it lifted all the docks off their mounting posts so all the boats and docks are have floated away out into the lake.  Some of pictures below from the local papers.