How Communities Prepare
You can't fight mother nature, but you can protect yourself from her fury as much as possible. Two area communities are going the extra mile to ensure their residents are safe when the next big storm hits.

Tornado Survivors
Being at the mercy of Mother Nature can be one of the most intense experiences of a lifetime. Find out the harrowing perspective of surviving a twister.

Thunderstorms and Hail
Not many people can say they've seen hail the size of golf balls, let alone softballs. But two summers ago in Wisconsin Rapids, residents stood in disbelief as their homes, vehicles and pocketbooks were attacked by a mega storm. June 7, 2007, was a wicked day for Wisconsin weather.

Killed by Lightning
Lightning is an incredible force of nature. Each spark can cross more than five miles in length, reach temperatures of 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and contain up to 100 million volts of electricity. According to the National Weather Service, since 1940, there have been 62 lightning related deaths in Wisconsin. And in the midst of Severe Weather and Tornado Awareness Week, that's an important number to consider.

Floods Raging Water
Mother Nature is strong, and can surprise us with her force. That was proven once again in 2004, when several unusual occurrences caused Antigo's most significant flood.