Hugh Nibley notes that according to eyewitness accounts, the great earthquake that completely destroyed the old capital of Guatemala on September 11, 1541 (this is right down in book of Mormon country, you'll notice) was preceded by "the fury of wind, the incessant, appalling lightning and dreadful thunder indescribable" in their violence. [Hugh W. Nibley, Teachings of the Book of Mormon, Semester 3, p. 320]