MEGAN LEE Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Sunday, July 12, 2009 12:00 am
Amid the rockets' red glare and bombs bursting in air, storms again burst throughout Wyoming.
Natrona County was hit hard, with $4 million in damages from a storm that lasted less than an hour but flooded most of the area. I was trapped in Macy's when the power went out, and didn't get to purchase the swimsuit I'd chosen - an item that would have been helpful during the next two days' worth of water cleanup efforts.
In Buffalo, another storm carried strong winds, which wreaked havoc by downing trees and power lines. A photo on the front page of the July 9 Buffalo Bulletin shows an 18-wheeler completely knocked on its side along a highway.
The downed trees kept homeowners busy, car accidents kept emergency workers and police busy, and power lines kept just about everyone else busy.
On a happier note, the storms stopped long enough for towns to get annual summer celebrations under way.
Adorable kinkajous, capuchin monkeys, mountain lions and other exotic animals brought some much-needed light to Laramie for the city's "Jubilee Days" celebration.
Nearly every town in the Cowboy State celebrated the nation's independence with Fourth of July fireworks. The holiday, which conveniently landed on a Saturday this year, meant more time for boating, brats and beer; friends, families and fun.
Fair and rodeo season also began, with the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper, Cody's Stampede Rodeo, and preparations for Cheyenne Frontier Days.
What is summer for, but storm-chasing and celebrating?
Side note: Please be careful when playing in the water this summer. In Worland, a man was swept away in Paint Rock Creek, and around the country, drowning remains a leading killer of children.
Contact reporter Megan Lee at (307) 266-0616 or megan.lee@trib.com.