[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by Formula260SS

Broads Side Rattlesnake, just as I finished tying the boat to the dock it hit like a wall of bricks. Instant 60mph wind, spray up an over the breakwater like I've never seen, 4ft whitecaps and trees bending over. 10mins into it a Family in a 17' bowrider (with bow cover on) came by our cottage and thankfully made it to our neighbors dock. How they made it without sinking I have no idea

Nastiest storm I have ever seen out there

I agree Formula260SS, this was the nastiest that I have seen while on the island. There have been others that were more intense for the lightening, but this storm as a whole wins hands down. It came so quick. One minute the lake was almost flat, then the wall of super black clouds came along with spectacular whitecaps, which almost instantly turned into huge ones. Just as I got enough courage to go down to be sure our boat was secured well enough, the bowrider you speak of came by. I wish I had still been on the porch with my camera, what insanity! That family is so lucky to have made it to safety. The boat was hitting, by this time very big rollers. It was coming completely out of the water and tilting in a perfect way for the wind to just pluck it over. I thought for sure they were going to capsize. If they had, what could I have done to help without getting into trouble myself? After the storm passed, something floated by that at first I thought might be a person. Scared the daylights out of me. Then a 15’ top of a tree came floating by and got suck in our rocks. It was a cut tree that someone left too close to the lake. Boo!

Lesson one, when a storm is approaching, go the other way!!! They pass relatively quickly. If it is too late, find a dock or at least be going with the waves, not into them.

Lesson two, assume anything close to the lake can be blown or washed away creating dangerous hazards. Secure them please, especially big items like trees and logs!