Florida Hurricanes; Not My Cup of Tea

I grew up in Vermont so I had never experienced a hurricane before. I had heard about them on the news but never took the time to think about what it would feel like to be caught up in one. As I think back I wished I had learned more about this type of furry Mother Nature can cast.

In December of 1999 I decided to move to Florida. I had found my dad on the internet and thought it would be nice to live closer to him; to get to know him. At first I was impressed by the warmth and sunshine Florida had to offer. The palm trees inspired me as I had never seen one up close and personal and the abundance of geckos running around my yard was something to write home about. But, those feelings changed quickly in 2004 when I encountered two hurricanes back-to-back.

The brittle snow storms in New England had left me without power, but only for a few days. Nothing like the twenty days we were powerless due to hurricane Frances. I never realized just how important this utility was until I was without it for so long. It wasn't only the power outages that affected me but also the food, water, and gas shortages. I had never imagined myself waiting in line for hours at a time to receive free ice and government meal packs. In the beginning I felt like a loser but within a few days that changed as I realized that I needed these supplies in order to survive.

Being without power wasn't the only bad experience caused by Frances, I could not take a shower, the toilets wouldn't work, and the damages to the house were mind boggling. I swore that I would be prepared if another hurricane ever passed my way, little did I know that hurricane Jeanne would be paying me a visit.

Three hurricanes hit Florida in a matter of 8 weeks; the last time this happened was in 1964 so no one expected this disaster. My family and I made it through 2004 and immediately prepared ourselves should this rare occurrence happen again. I suggest that all Floridians take charge of their lives and their homes by readying themselves for future hits.

My first suggestion is to have an evacuation plan and secondly, purchase a generator and make sure you are able to start it up and are not afraid of filling it with gasoline. Also, make sure you place it in a safe place away from your family and pets. You may have to evacuate but for those of you who choose not to you will find that the generator will be your best friend. Stock up on water, candles, easily accessible foods, gasoline, tarps, sand bags, propane, flashlights, and batteries. Take the time to board up your windows and gather all of your important paperwork and personal items. Doing so will make it easy for you to grab them when having to evacuate.

A few more suggestions would be to have a list of contact numbers to include family, friends, and insurance companies. Create an immediate plan of action to care for your pets should you not be able to take them with you because abandoning them is not an option. Also, videotape or photograph your belongings so you can easily report losses to your insurance carrier. It is important to know the make, model, and serial number of any item of value.

Another important factor when it comes to hurricanes is to stay inside. Don't try to be the hero or the curious cat. Protect your life and the lives of your family. There is nothing you can do until the hurricane blows over. I say this because I tried to be the hero and put my life at risk doing so. Homes and their contents are for the most part replaceable but lives are not. If you are prepared and remain calm you will pull through the hurricane season.