Approach
During a visual approach to runway 31L, the flightcrew visually observed thunderstorms north of the airport that were moving south. They also noted a display of the thunderstorms on their weather radar system. Light rain was encountered at 200 feet AGL, and the rain intensified passing through 100 feet AGL, prompting the captain to switch to 'high wiper'. The captain stated that at 50 feet AGL, 'the visibility was [further] reduced by heavy rain.'
Touchdown and Correction
After touchdown, the captain advised the first officer (who was at the controls) to make a correction. The first officer acknowledged, 'I have full rudder input.' Subsequent to the rudder inputs, the crew 'was able to re-center the aircraft on the runway.' The flight crew of another aircraft holding at the threshold of runway 31L reported that they observed the airplane 'disappear into a wall of water' after touchdown.
Post-Event Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed the presence of mud on the left main landing gear, wheel well, engine, and engine pylon area. Inspection of the runway indicated that the left main landing gear departed the paved surface for about 700 feet. Additionally, 6 runway edge lights were damaged on the left side of runway 31L.