Kim Wilbanks

I am in awe of God and His creation.  A mere three days after witnessing the total eclipse of the sun from Nashville, Tennessee, I experienced another amazing phenomenon on the West coast of Florida.  My friend and I watched as three waterspouts formed right before our eyes.

On the Thursday following America’s Solar Eclipse, my friend Christi and I headed down to the beach for a few days.  It was a cloudy, overcast day but we didn’t mind.  After we got settled in, we set off for a walk down the beach.  We were excited to be on the island, without a care in the world. 

Thunder rumbled in the distance.  I glanced behind me and saw a sky full of dark, angry clouds.  Maybe we should turn around.  We power-walked back to the house as fast as we could, hoping to beat the rain.

As we stood on the balcony watching the storm approach, I noticed something unusual in the sky.  It was a waterspout in the distance.  I am a native Floridian, who goes to the beach often, but this is only the second time I have seen a waterspout.

A Slight Funnel is Visible

Evidence of the Waterspout

Tube of Water

The clouds slightly southwest of us started to take on a funnel shape.  Another waterspout was forming.  We were spellbound, mesmerized by the action unfolding right before our eyes.  We took pictures and videos and called or texted family.  It was amazing.

We could see the tube of water rotating and the water churning.  Powerful.

Powerful Waterspout

The woman walking on the beach gives perspective

Waterspout

Waterspout

Mesmerizing

While we couldn’t pull ourselves away from the scene, I did consider what we were going to do if this thing came ashore.  I opened the glass sliding doors so we could quickly duck inside if necessary.

Luckily, the waterspout stayed over the water.  After a few minutes, it pulled back up into the clouds. 

Water Ribbon

The end of the Waterspout

It ended as fast as it began

We thought that was the end of the show, then another waterspout formed.  Three waterspouts in a 30 minute period.

Another Waterspout Forming

This one was more transparent

Nature, God’s creation is amazing.  It is awe-inspiring.  The solar eclipse and triple waterspouts I saw in the same week are just two examples.

It can also be terrifying.  As we were watching the spectacle of the waterspouts, my friend was talking to her parents, her son and other family members across the Gulf of Mexico from us in her home state, Texas.  It was strange to look west and know that just a few hundred miles away a terrible storm was bearing down on so many people. 

Remember to pray for Texas.Let heaven and earth praise him; the seas and everything that moves therein!

Psalm 69:34