It appears we have the makings of a hurricane brewing in the Gulf. Tropical Storm Isaac is expected to reach hurricane level by the time it makes landfall in the US. Right now, it appears it will strike the Florida Panhandle by mid-week, depending on how much momentum it picks up. We only live a couple of hours from said Panhandle. Having been through Opal, Ivan, Dennis and Katrina, we now have some experience with these massive and potentially devastating storms.
Image of Tropical Storm Isaac taken August 22, 2o12. The storm has already caused damage and deaths in Cuba and Haiti. Courtesy of CSM.com
Once upon a time, we were far enough inland that we never really worried about the effects of hurricanes on our area other than knowing we would likely get some heavy rains. And those were generally welcome because we often were dealing with drought conditions and rain was much needed.
That’s all changed in the last 15 to 20 years. Now when we say houses were damaged or trees went down in the hurricane, we have to specify exactly which hurricane it was. Opal took out my late dad’s barn and a number of mature trees, roots and all, surrounding the old farmhouse. Neighbors lost every single tree surrounding their property.
Damage from Hurricane Opal in Panama City, Fla. Courtesy of Corbis images
Ivan removed a chunk of the roof of the lovely historic Episcopalian church in town, Saint Thomas, and caused extensive damage to many homes and businesses. Hundred of trees were toppled at the beautiful golf course close to town. Katrina thankfully left us relatively unscathed, but we still felt its impact as our county became a haven for many of its survivors from Louisiana and Mississippi.
Orange Beach, Ala. after Hurricane Ivan. My sister and brother-in-law own a condo here. I am sure my BIL is watching the weather forecasts very closely
I am hoping it’s all going to fizzle out greatly before it makes landfall, but judging by my own specific physical aches and pains, something big is brewing. Hubby’s gut tells him it could be rough for us, too. He emailed me from town and said he’d picked up a small generator and stocked up on batteries. I checked out our supply of lamp oil and took stock of the pantry.
I will charge up both Kindles fully just in case and dig out the solar-powered crank-up radio.
I guess you could say we’re going to hope for the best, but try to prepare for the worst.
And pray.
I hope it fizzles out, too! Take care!
Thanks, Laurie.
I think of you and hope for the best Angie !!!!I
Thank you, Nadia.
Take care…fingers crossed it leaves you well alone, or at the very least it’s calmed down before it gets to you xxx
Thanks, yes, I really hope so.
Sounds scary…I too hope that it’ll keep well away from your area! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and your loved ones!
I’d be terrified! I’ve experienced very damaging winds when I lived in Scotland but never on this scale, thank goodness! I pray it will steer far away from you and yours!
Thanks, Teuchter. It is daunting when I think about it and when I look back at the photos of the destruction from past storms. I remember sitting out Opal in my parents’ farmhouse (we didn’t have our home here yet), with the wind howling like crazy and things crashing down outside (it hit at night) and wondering what was being destroyed. Later, after the worst of it had moved through, Benny and I put on rain gear and ventured out with flashlights. Amazingly, the two huge trees that fell behind my parents’ house fell away and not into the house. Another tree went down into my dad’s old shop, just missing the car shelter and the car. And a tree narrowly missed hitting our car by a few feet. Daddy’s barn was a loss and we had no power for several days, but it could have been so much worse. Others were not so lucky.
Oh dear! Here’s hoping for the best possible outcome. Take care!
It’s interesting that you say you have noticed a change in the weather in the past 20 years or so. I too have seen the effects of climate change in my area. It is definitely warming up and storms seem to be increasing in number and magnitude.
I will be thinking of you with my fingers crossed!
Thanks, Phylly. Opal hit in 1995, which is 17 years ago now. That was the first of the hurricanes that affected us inland. And we’ve had more really major tornado incidences too, I think. That horrible line of tornadoes that swept across this region in 2011, killing more than 600 people in Alabama alone and millions in property damage. That storm just narrowly missed hitting my sister, two of her children and her grandchildren. Hard not to believe in global warning. As you say, fingers crossed!!
Praying hard, Angie. I wish I could do more. I hope that all the force dissipates before it makes landfall.
The prayers are much appreciated.
I’m praying, too, Angie. Let’s hope some of the fierceness of the wind, etc., eases by the time it reaches you.
Of course, you know about that huge hole in the ozone layer near Australia? Our weather has changed, too, in recent years as you’d expect. We’ve had a very cold winter this year in Canberra, colder than last year, but we’ll no doubt have a very hot summer, too. We now have to worry even more about skin cancer here as there’s no air pollution to help protect us. Ah well..
Please take care of yourselves
Thanks, Kathryn. Quite a few people I know have had incidences of skin cancer here, too. So many folks have spent a lot of time at the beach, out on the golf course, etc. without proper sun protection.
Stay safe, Angie! We’ll be hoping it fizzles before it reaches you. Hurricanes aren’t any fun …
Prayers and long Kindle-battery life wishes heading your way.
Certainly hope it will, Zan, and no, they aren’t.
Take care and stay safe, Angie, you are in my thoughts. Here’s hoping that Isaac peters out before it hits land.
Thanks, Mezz, we will try.