Approaching Hoofbeats Of Apocalyptic Horsemen

On May 18, 1980, at ecactly 8:31 a.m., billions of pounds of rock, water and trees evaporated, molten rock, and boiling mud flattened 150 square miles surrounding Mt. St. Helens.

In one millisecond, all the rumblings, clouds of grey steam, and dancing seismographs of the months prior to that had pointed to the cataclysm coming -- converged and she blew.

For days the evening news showed the frightened tourists and residents fleeing. But one scene will always be remembered. It was the caretaker of the Lodge on the scenic lake just 5 miles north of the volcano. Harry Truman and 16 cats lived at the door of doom and wouldn't leave. In one instant they vaporized because they didn't heed warnings.