Hurricane Katrina

I know there have already been a lot of posting on the Katrina, but I am just gonna add my 2 cents in. I am so thankful that it only hit South Florida as a category 1. About this time last week, there were reports of a tropical storm out there. We didn’t know anything about it! By Wednesday, we were told it was going to be a hurricane and was heading straight for us. Thursday, there was already a hurricane warning posted. My office shut down before it even had a chance to open. The storm track had the eye coming over my house. So, all morning was spent moving patio furniture inside, turning the AC way down so that it would be cold if power went out, and cooking dinner in case the power went out when I was trying to cook later. 8am, on Friday, all of my neighbors were outside. It seems like this is what we always do after a hurricane. Stand outside. Help each other clear away big branches and sweep and rake up all the leaves and other debris while the dogs all run around playing with each other. At least someone was enjoying themselves. Luckily there was no damage to my house or car. A tree came down and took out two of my neighbors fences and one tree is still leaning at about 60 degrees directly over where 3 cars were parked.

One thing about hurricanes, it does bring everyone together. We share our food and ice and grills and portable TVs and radios. We get to know about everyone’s’ jobs and families and likes and dislikes. The morning after someone always go out in search of coffee for everyone. If you are really nervous about the storm, they’re happy got get you drunk and make sure you make it back home ok. If you can’t stand the heat, leave your number and someone will call you when the power is back on. It was only 2 days and that was enough for me. One of my girlfriends lost power too. As soon as I got mine back, we moved her 2 cats and fish right in. They’ll have to put up with my dog, but at least they’ll be cool. It looks as though she may have to wait till Friday to get power back. FRIDAY! That’s 9 days!! They had concrete power poles that cracked, a couple were even knocked down. It’s going to take a long time to fix that. Sunday was the first time I saw the news. I didn’t even know that Katrina was a category 5! This storm has done nothing they though it was going to do. It was supposed to hit above us, go across the state and hit the panhandle again. What happened to that? I’m really glad those poor people in the panhandle don’t have another hurricane to deal with, but at least if it had gone that way, it would only be a Cat 2. I pray for people in Louisiana and Mississippi and every else the storm is going to causes damage.