Following the incidents, South African Weather Service forecaster Puseletso Mofokeng said there was a common misconception that lightning mainly struck during heavy rain or a severe storm.

BBC: South Africa pupils in hospital after lightning strikes

The storm has brought high winds and heavy rain, toppling trees and power lines through the region and cutting electricity to about 200, 000 homes.

BBC: Tropical storm Earl hits Canada's coast at Nova Scotia

Nonetheless, its storm surge -- joined by heavy wind, rain and tornadoes -- left a swath of destruction from east Texas to Alabama.

CNN: No more Hurricane Katrinas

The heavy rainfall -- particularly this storm had a lot of rain ahead of it as it was moving ashore -- the concern was where we could expect rainfall.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing

Strong winds and heavy rain lashed Long Island and Cape Cod as the storm passed by.

BBC: Tropical storm Earl hits Canada's coast at Nova Scotia

As a tropical storm, Gustav blasted Jamaica with high winds and drenched it with heavy rain Thursday night into Friday.

CNN: Hurricane Gustav churns into Gulf

On Monday morning, the storm was blowing out to the Atlantic with only isolated thunderstorms and localized heavy rain as a cold front began moving in and clearing the region.

NPR: Out With A Whimper: Storms Over In East, South

"This storm had everything you could handle at one time: tornadoes, hail, lightning, heavy rain, people clogging the highways, " Mr. Smith said.

WSJ: Tornado-Hit Oklahoma Struck Again; Mother and Baby Dead