Hurricane Hysteria…It's That Time Again!

Being that I live in hurricane alley in my state of FL, I feel your stress, K. Last I heard, southern TX was looking at possible concern. However, as already pointed out, sometimes the models grossly misread projections and, anything can happen when it hits the Gulf (including the already mentioned dreadful U-turns). I LOVE storms and am fool headed enough to walk out in the middle of a hurricane just to get trounced by the wind and pelted with rain. I just wish that they didnt cause destruction and death to both human and animals.

Im a native NYer and back in 84 (I think) we dealt with Hurricane Gloria. I was at boarding school and had the wind not shifted, one of our HUGE oak trees in the quad would have fallen on the mansion and through my window and bed, but instead it was taken down in the other direction.

Since Ive lived in FL since the end of 1993, weve dealt with some snippy storms in south FL; but nothing was ever major. And that is when I was closest to the coast (east). I moved to central FL in Dec. 2001. Since then, I have seen and been through more intense weather than south FL ever served up. I live in the most narrow part of the state, so, during the rainy season, even with no hurricanes, when the west coast system & east coast system move inland, they meet up over my head and cause intense, dangerous thunder & lightning storms. I relish it but respect them as well as the fear they instill in others.

In 2004, we had a most major hurricane season. We were hit directly back to back to back with Charlie, Frances and Jeanne. We were nipped by Ivan and Rita and even Katrina as well since she was so massive. There were other feeder bands we were hit with too but after a while, storm names run together. My late fiance, his father’s side of the family are all cops; mostly homocide cops but others as well. When we were together, he built us a house that would specifically have room for at least 50 puppies at any given time, with NO compromised living space restrictions; quite the opposite (he was an architect… I thought I was playing it safe as Id never marry a cop. When I found out his family were mostly cops, I was relieved that he was an architect. I thought, right, was a building going to fall on him. The irony here is that he was killed in the first tower during 9/11… Im being blunt here and Ive worked through all this and accept it so if your eyes are wide 😯 that I could be so candid, understand I had a lot of support and therapy from this since I was also on the phone with him at the moment his floor sustained that direct hit).

Anyway, we had lots and lots of dogs born in our house that were then groomed into going through the K-9 police academy (I loved putting on that big marshmallow suit for “take down” training 😀 ). Whether they went into the force or not, they all had that training. None were ever sold and if they are still alive (none ever died in the line of duty), they remain with either someone in his family or mine or with very close friends. The point Im getting at in an anti-cliff notes version way, is that we have many SAR dogs (Search and Rescue). So, when the initial threat of a devasting hurricane has left, Im part of (as is Nicole and Anthony; my sis/bro in law) a volunteer program that take our dogs and do a SAR for both people, but animals as well. There are many orgs that focus on seeking out humans first. Many times the animals (domestic and wild) are forgetten about after a storm. So Nicole, Anthony and I decided to make as best use of our SAR dogs and volunteer to seek out animals in distress. It is a very warming and rewarding feeling to reunite a family with their storm displaced pets as well as save some wildlife that got trapped or tangled up due to the hurricanes. I cant move as well as I use to, but Id rather colapse in a field somewhere while trying to save an animal than kick the bucket while watching a movie or tv show.

Sorry for the novel. I had just wanted to come in here and tell you Keschete (and any others in the potential path of hurricanes), to be careful, good luck and that my thoughts are with those in those areas. I always try to direct positive energy towards any location that a storm is heading. If youre worried Keschete, then my thoughts are with you even though Im scared of you cause youre a bidding & offer making dynamo! ::ducks and runs even now::😆

I live on the coast, close to Tampa, FL. I watch every hurricane closely. You just never know which one will have your name on it. 🙁

I do hope that you guys do stay safe. I think the closest thing I had to watch out for was a tornado (I think it was about 5 years ago). The next thing I would have to watch out for is a earthquake, but that doesn’t happen very often either.

Im a native NYer

Me too!! What part of NY are you from?
I grew up on Long Island and spent summers mostly in the suburbs of Buffalo or Plattsburgh (way upstate west for Bflo and way upstate north on Lion Mountain in Merrill NY for Plattsburgh, about 30 miles south of Montreal). Both gorgeous areas.

I hope everyone secures their lives just in case this time is bad
Try living in Earthquake country!!
We still never know when they will hit or how strong they will be. At least with hurricanes you can see them coming. 1987 was a 7.2 earthquake in No CA and many got hurt or died from something they could not warn us about.