'I Am Thankful to Have Survived'

The following is from Arlington resident Heather-Jean Tsang.

Last evening, I was heading to pick up my daughter at on Broadway. I got off the bus at about 6:20 p.m. and was walking on Mass. Ave. toward Bates Road when the sky split open. I turned down Bates Road clutching my large, golf-sized umbrella and struggled toward Broadway while the rain poured down so hard it was a complete white-out. The winds howled and literally blew me along the street.  I was pushed through people’s yards and into fences.  I clung to outdoor light poles and finally took refuge behind a large green postal mailbox. My umbrella was in tatters and I was soaked to the bone.

Trees and power lines were coming down behind me and in front of me and the road became flooded almost instantly. Several cars were stopped in the middle of the road with their hazard lights flashing while they waited for the rain to let up enough so they could see to drive. I waded through the flooded street as the rain and winds continued, until I turned onto Broadway.  I passed by Tufts Street (where the attached pictures were taken) and proceeded to Dance Place.

Upon my arrival, the rains were beginning to let up, but I was so soaked that  all I could do was to stand in the lobby while the water poured off me (must to the shock of my daughter and her Dance Team). I have to admit I am thankful to have survived actually being out in that microburst.  It was an amazing experience (not to be repeated) and a true show of the power of Mother Nature.