Mother nature via Hurricane Irma decided to pay us a visit these past couple days. Between you and me she wasn’t the best guest. I am not complaining though because before coming to see us she wreaked havoc on my friends and family in the Caribbean. We are still waiting on word from them to see if they are okay. For us after being shut in for about three days due to heavy rains, tornadoes and high winds she left. Irma left us with uprooted trees and loss of power but left us our lives.
In the days leading up to the landfall of the hurricane we actually booked a flight to leave but as luck would have it our flight was cancelled leaving us with no choice we felt but to stay. So we stayed and we waited. I downloaded several books on my Kindle. I filled buckets and pots with water. I turned the freezer to the coldest setting and filled it with ice. I cooked- pasta marina, couscous and veggie meat balls. I cleaned out the fridge. I scrubbed the tub. I did laundry. I charged the phone, kindle, I-Pad, laptop and the extra phone charger. I made a list of all the phone numbers of my family and friends. I hauled out the flashlights, the Ziploc bags and the D batteries. I’d heard second and third hand reports about people who experienced Irma in the Caribbean and lost everything. With that in mind I packed a hurricane suitcase just in case my place didn’t hold up and I had to leave in the middle of the night, or if it was severely damaged and I would need to stay at a shelter. There is nothing that makes you re-evaulate all the things you have acquired more than having to decide what you will take with you in the event you can never come back. Trust me on this.
After a major weather event everyone becomes an expert on what should have happened, and what should have been said or done. I think all the weather agencies and the news media did the best they could with the information they had. I am firmly in the better safe than sorry camp so I will always err on the side of caution when it comes to storms.
Mother nature has been very busy with the fires in California(I know there’s debate as to whether those are man made but the drought they are experiencing is also an issue), the devastating earthquake in Mexico, flooding in India and Bangladesh, and mudslides in Sierra Leone. And hurricane season runs through November so we still have a ways to go. Wherever you are I hope all is well with you and yours.
Stardate:170012.09
I think the news media did great as far as letting us know what was about to happen. We got as possibly ready as we could here. My brother lives in Florida and had to take shelter in a hospital with his new born. It's unfortunate that these things have to happen, but I am glad you are okay. Great post!
Thanks Nerline. I hope your brother and his family are fine. I will never understand people who get upset about being warned about a storm and their decision to leave because of the warnings. Okay then. Next time just stay. Problem solved.
I'm so glad that you and yours are safe. You sound like you were well-prepared. I've lived through sandstorms and snowstorms but I honestly think a hurricane would be the death of me. As an African, I would have a ton of candles though. Love the RSA flag on your computer. These were stunning pics of the rain coming down.
I think I missed this. Thanks Neo. We are fast approaching hurricane season again in my neck of the woods. It's amazing how time flies.
I'm so glad you are doing okay; the aftermath of the hurricane is really dreadful. I'm sure it was pretty scary too while it was passing through or visiting; definitely an unwanted guest! You captured some amazing pictures. Happy Wednesday…:-)
Thanks Beauty! I'm sorry for the late response. I'm not sure what happened. Like I told Neo above it's crazy how it's almost that time again. All I can do is wait and pray. Take care.