It started with a rumble of thunder, nothing too out of the ordinary on a fairly cloudy day. When the lightening started, it was only passively impressive. Purpley blue strands, a little longer and a little wider than normal, crackled through the sky. The winds picked up a bit, blowing away clothes hanging on the line to dry, window shutters clamored noisily, and dirt from the streets whirled about faces. It wasn't until the sky began to swirl directly above, did the ominous feeling prevail. One large section of clouds darkened into a purpley black abyss, billowing high above. An omen? Certainly. That could possibly have been driven home by the downfall of large spherical hail in all directions.<br/><br/>The Gate Camp was being pummeled when the earthquake began. Just a small rumble at first, trinkets fell from shelves, water rippled heavily. But soon the tremors increased, furniture toppled over, cracks appeared in foundations of buildings. Suddenly the sound of rushing water filled the ears of the people in the Gate Camp. Through the streets and around every corner came the Anders River, having risen from its place in the city. More water than was ever thought to be in the belly of the river flowed through the Camp.<br/><br/>Men, women, and children rushed for their homes. Some were bludgeoned by hail and yet others were caught up in the rushing waters. Terror rang true but ever present was that black omen high up in the sky.