Calm Before the Storm

If you live on the east coast of the USA, you're probably aware of Sandy. If you're not, check out the weather ASAP. The hunk and I did all our preparations yesterday. Bought the batteries, filled the gas tank, packed a bug-out bag in case we have to evacuate. Today we're down to piddly stuff like moving things away from the windows and clearing off the balcony.

We have some murky sunshine out there with low clouds, no winds, and nice temps. And here's what I'm reading on Facebook/Twitter..."The weather's fine here. This is just more media hype..."

There's a reason "calm before the storm" is a cliche. Most big storms have a period of deep calm before they roar in to smack you. And that's a good thing. It allows time to prepare for the aftermath. Trust me, it is NOT a sign that the storm won't be bad.

For those who have survived bad storms, whether tornadoes, blizzards, ice storms or hurricanes, preparation is key to walking away with your life. If you haven't started, get busy. And don't be fooled by where Sandy's headed.  Check out your local recommendations and do what they say.

Here's what I don't understand. Actual preparation doesn't really take that much time. And it requires minimal money. So why wouldn't you be prepared? If everyone just did the minimum that's recommended, more people would live through these storms. Isn't your life worth that bit of time?

Heads up. Time is running out.

anny

Calling Noah...

And the rain continues to fall. Isacc is making an indelible impression on the Gulf Coast. Homes and towns in Mississippi and Alabama are washing away. Thousands in Louisiana are evacuating as a dam threatens to give way.

And the thing I'm noticing on the news clips is one phrase repeated over and over. "It came so fast."

No, it didn't. Isacc was moving particularly slow. Multiple repeated warnings forecasted heavy rain and wind. People had over twenty-four hours to prepare and either evacuate or be ready to do so.

And yet...

Over and over you see pictures of folks who say they've lost everything. One woman escaped without even grabbing her purse. That's how fast the end came.

I admit I don't understand. Every time I've been under a weather threat, I prepared ahead of time. The car was packed. I was ready to go with the personal possessions I would need to survive. And when the authorities said, "Go!" we did.

Did I like it? Heck, no. Who wants to leave their home? But for crying out loud! Aren't lives more important than a bit of wood and brick? The people plucked from roofs and attics still don't have their homes AND they almost lost their lives. How does that make sense?

Some will say I'm unsympathetic. I only have one thing to say to that. Every single storm places the rescuers in danger--usually because someone was somewhere they shouldn't have been.

anny