Hurricane Season

 Run From the Water...

Hide From the Wind

Consider this a public service announcement.

I am sitting at my computer watching the news. Florida is in the path of its second major hurricane in three weeks. 

As we watched Hurricane Helene head our way, she looked as if she would merely brush the western coastline of Florida. 

Weather forecasters warned of a “storm surge” …though we had no idea what that would look like. In fact, as the storm was churning, local surfers grabbed their boards to ride the ever-increasing waves. Families gathered to take pictures before finally leaving the area to find shelter in the interior of the peninsula.

Mike and I have friends who live on the Gulf coast. Though their own home was untouched, it was like a war zone around them. The nation gathered around the television to view unimaginable images. We saw houses and furnishings, appliances, and cars floating far from their owners. We watched in horror as entire communities were flattened by the surge. People died. The west coast of Florida looked more like a war zone than a once peaceful string of coastal communities.

THEN…

We were horrified to see Helene blast her way north, ravaging unsuspecting communities in Georgia and Tennessee. Helene carried with her wind, rain, and mudslides unequaled in the memory of mountain communities in the Carolinas. 

Hurricanes are Nothing to Blow Off.

Accuweather Image of Hurricane Milton
at this Writing...

NOW... 

Now we watch as Hurricane Milton crosses the Gulf of Mexico, wreaking havoc along the Mexican costal area and taunting the peninsula of Florida as a Category 4 or 5 Bully of the Sea.

This time, Florida will take a direct hit. Projections of where Milton will throw the first punch vary. We know it will stretch along the Gulf coast and will sustain hurricane force winds across the peninsula to the east coast of Florida. 

Many predict this could be the worst storm in a hundred years. In part because of its power. But also because there are more people in Florida now than ever.

Hurricanes are Nothing to Blow Off.

If you are in an evacuation zone…Evacuate. 

Take with you: medications, cash, ID’s, water, food, flashlight with extra batteries, cell phone and charger, and candy. 

(Okay, you don’t actually need candy, but this has been such a heavy post, I decided to throw something in to make you smile.) 

The bottom line? Stay safe. Pray. Do what you are told to do. 

I know I sound like a mom or teacher.

Actually, I’m both. So do it.