Irma is finally history!
Just waiting for her to do whatever she was going to do was a long,
drawn-out ordeal. I’m so over hurricanes! I feel I have been battered with wind and
pelted with rain. If you know me, or
have been reading my columns for over three years, you know that I’m a news
junkie. While I prefer political news,
I’m fascinated by weather news. No two
events are ever the same and it brings the best out in people, whether it be
bravery, resilience or kindness. Unlike
political news that divides people, weather news can be discussed and everyone
is on the same page.
I WATCHED every
twist and turn of both hurricanes Harvey and Irma for about twenty days. I have
learned more about hurricanes than I ever wanted to know. During that time, I flew into the eye of the
hurricane many times and am in awe of the courage of those pilots. At one point, I even thanked George for not
choosing that job as a profession. I
have learned the importance of reservoirs, levees and dams. However, the term,
“open the flood gates” strikes fear in my heart, especially since we live down-
stream on the river from the High Falls dam.
I learned why I may not be suited
to live on a beach, bay or canal in Florida because of the power of storm
surges.
THE NEWS coverage
of these two hurricanes have been unprecedented. The meteorologists have been excellent at
forecasting, primarily because they used a new visual aid that looked like
spaghetti. These spaghetti strands
predicting the possible path of the hurricane included every possible path,
therefore they could not get it wrong. But
they did, kinda sorta. East coast or
West coast, it still hit Florida.
FOR ME
personally, the days leading up to Irma’s arrival was very frustrating. I have a nest of family members in and around
Brunswick. I knew I could expect from 2
to 20 to evacuate to my house and with them, a pack of dogs and a ferret. Their reservations were made with the caveat,
“Depending on if it’s a mandatory evacuation.”
After the mandatory evacuation order was issued, the caveat was changed
to “if it’s category 3 or 4.” I watched
those spaghetti strands until I nearly went blind. The forecast path kept changing. Many phone calls back and forth. I was constantly adding to and subtracting
from my grocery list. My first two (and
only) evacuees arrived Thursday night.
Their plan was to drop their dogs at my house and travel on to their
daughter’s in Atlanta. However, with the
traffic on I-75, they couldn’t get there from here. On Saturday when we learned the hurricane was
headed to Monroe County, fearing one of my trees may fall, I said, “Bro, I
never thought I’d ever say these words, “but you have to go!” They left Sunday morning and it took them
three hours to get to Atlanta. I don’t
know how long it will take them to get back but they’ll return—they left their
dogs with me.
WE ALL SAW first-hand
the effects of the storm on the people of the state of Florida. They fled their homes with their children and
pets and headed into the unknown. They
didn’t know if they would find enough gas to get them to wherever they were
going, and some didn’t know if they would be able to find a warm bed. This was evidenced by the tens of thousands of
vehicles that clogged our Interstates. I
cannot imagine that stress. I have been
in several hurricanes and have even experienced “the eye” of one, but I have
never faced evacuation. If I ever do, I
pray I find myself in a place like Monroe County.
THE GREAT people
of Forsyth and Monroe County sprang into action when these evacuees arrived
here. We have great caring churches in
our community. Forsyth Presbyterian
Church provided their Parish House to a big family with pets. New Providence, New Beginnings, Maynard
Baptist and High Falls Baptist provided Shelter. I am certain there are more churches
providing aid and comfort to the evacuees but these are the ones I know. I apologize if I left your church out.
LASTLY, I was
proud to be a part of the coming together of First Baptist of Forsyth, Rocky
Creek Baptist, and Forsyth United Methodist Sunday Evening. At least two hundred evacuees were fed, with
enough food left over to take to two other churches providing shelter. I had the opportunity to talk to many of
these people. They all had stories to
tell of their trip to Forsyth, some taking as long as 16 hours. Most all were nervous about what they will
find when they finally make it back home.
Every single person was grateful for the help received from our
community. One man stated to me,
“Forsyth has the nicest people anywhere I have ever encountered.” We should all feel proud!
I AM LEFT with
two questions. What is going on in
Houston since the cameras left to cover Irma?
And, where is Hurricane Jose?
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