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With the record setting rain that pelted Madison and the surrounding area Monday reminds us we have to respect and sometimes fear the weather.
Despite warnings to stay home people still ventured out. Some ended up trapped for hours in stores or other places while some still tried to drive somewhere. Unfortunately one of those, an older man who was driving two other people on Madison's west side, lost his life. While rescue efforts were underway to free his passengers he got out of the car on his own and was sucked away by the fast moving water. Two men grabbed him but the force of the water was so great they lost their grip. His body was found Tuesday morning 500 feet away from where the water first took him.
Unless you are in a flood with the water rushing so fast you can't get control you will probably not understand how dangerous it is. The lesson to learn is to heed warnings and stay away from something that could harm or kill you.
The water got as close to this area as Arena and sandbag efforts were underway Tuesday night.
The only good thing that came out of this storm were the stories of people helping people. For instances the Middleton football team cancelled practice today and spent thier time helping their neighbors in Cross Plains prepare sandbags and recover from the storm's damage.
The take away though is respect the weather at all times. Taking chances just is not worth it.