I am so sorry you experienced this. It seems storms are getting more and more intense in recent days. The other night there was a flash of lightning and the thunderstorm was so severe, my power kept going in and out and it left me in utter darkness. I have never been so scared in all my life.
I can empathize with you, and your kitty because it really is frightening. I have no advice to give because I was just as scared, my only hope is these storms won't be so bad in the future.