Batten down the hatches…
As a veteran of many hurricanes, near hurricanes and tropical storms, I have watched with interest over the past few days as Hurricane Irene approached. It seems a bit surreal as I sit here watching television as streams of cars clog the Parkway as evacuations are in order in New Jersey.
New Jersey? New York? New England?
I do know that hurricanes, many fierce and historic, have devastated those areas in years past. It just is unusual to me (I suppose) because I live in an area regularly on the alert for this type weather. My home has been in the direct path of Hurricane Camille’s eye and within miles of the eye of Hurricane Katrina. These two make the others that have inundated our area seem much smaller and less destructive. But….destructive they are!
Trees down, branches broken and strewn about, store fronts losing signs, glass windows broken, possible flooding. Just a few of the things to worry about with hurricanes. My vivid memories of Camille are still very much with me. THAT was a storm I will never forget. Katrina? I left the area and returned after the storm had passed only to find my hometown and many cities and highways around it covered with downed trees, no power, limited access to food and gas.
To those in the Carolinas, batten down the hatches…you are surely receiving wind and rain from the bands of the storm that are entering your area. To those farther North, please heed all warnings of your city and state officials. It is much better to over-prepare than to find yourselves with no food or water or gasoline for several days. Often we have gotten prepared for a bad storm only to have no power problems or destruction. But never let your guard down when it comes to these types of storms…they are unpredictable and dangerous. Wouldn’t you rather be well prepared…just in case?
High tide. New moon. The pathway of the storm. All factors when the storm approaches New Jersey and New York. Areas north of these states will also be affected with wind and rain…and probable damage.
As Irene travels up the East coast it creates dangerous currents and, nearer the storm eye, waves currently above forty feet.
To all along the entire coast and in both the direct and indirect path of this large, dangerous storm, please heed all warnings and stay safe,
KW
