Blossoming Showers & Soon To Be Flowers Courtesy of Takeshi

What is Takeshi? It is the "T" storm that is moving our way today with rain showers. Takeshi is a male Japanese name that means "fierce". Today we remember a fierce and deadly tornado outbreak that hit Indiana including a tornado that ravaged Monticello. It was officially an F4 tornado that was on the ground for 121 miles. Unfathomable wind speeds reached well over 200 mph. Two 110 ton railroad girders were thrown into Lake Freeman as it parted in two according to eyewitnesses. It looked like something out of the bible as Lake Freeman was transformed into Indiana's version of the Red Sea. There is still twisted metal and debris in the hills even though it took place more than 30 years ago. The Monticello tornado and tornado outbreak that took place on April 3, 1974 with nearly 150 tornadoes in all changed the way we dealt with and prepared for severe weather forever. Join me for more on this tonight during the newscasts. I will find some video clips you won't want to miss.

In the meantime Takeshi will not bring any severe weather our way and that is the best news of all. Rainfall amounts should not worsen any of the minor flooding along the rivers and creeks. Southern Indiana could be a different story. Notice the graphic above highlights the heavier amounts well south of us. Here at home we will be closer to a quarter to a half-inch of rain.

Another reason I named today's storm Takeshi is in honor of the Japanese cherry trees that are not only in bloom here in our country but in Japan where there are tons of festivals going on. The picture above shows the cherry blossoms in Japan. A special thank you to my sister in law Shelli Krings in Oshkosh, Wisconsin for forwarding these to us. She is a regular blog reader and an aunt extraordinaire to my daughters. My girls are always asking about when they can see Shelli again! I am still glad she and I are still on speaking terms after the winter she just experienced up in Wisconsin. At least Oshkosh does not have about 50 inches of snow still on the ground like they do in parts of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I will also send some 50s your way Shelli next week and if you want you can always come visit us here in Indiana and enjoy our 70s. Here are a few more pictures you can enjoy below!

I have always wanted to visit Japan. My Mom lived there for 3 years while growing up. These pictures are breath-taking! Book me a flight now.

Japanese drive on the left side of the road like in Europe, but in London you do not have cherry tree tunnels you can drive through. Wow! I will find a couple cherry blossom pictures from D.C. to put on here later today. I show you these pictures because here at home this will help speed up the blossoming of our very own pear trees, tulip trees, and redbuds. I didn't even get to the morel mushrooms that are loving this weather and will spring up soon. Have a great day and thanks for reading as always.