My brother and I email several times a day. He lives closer to the coast — about 35 miles closer. We have been discussing for a couple of days whether to stay or go if Hurricane Ivan decides to hit the Tampa Bay area. He is on the highest ground in his county, but only 4 or 5 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. I am not in a flood zone either, but it is the wind that concerns us. It is difficult to make a decision when the projected track changes every couple of hours according to some forecasters best educated guess and computer models that can't agree.
He and I like to tease each other, so I wrote him yesterday. I told him I had seen a news report showing how the National Hurricane Center works. I described the scene... a room full of computers, large screens on the wall displaying radar and satellite images and a huge map on the wall. I told him that as the camera panned the room, I caught a glimpse of a forecaster. He was blindfolded and was being turned round and round and I wondered what the pin in his hand was for. Of course, I'm kidding. But, sometimes it seems that a good game of "Pin the Hurricane On the Map" would get just as accurate a forecast as present methods.
I went out this afternoon to pick up cash and a few more supplies. The parking lot of WalMart looked like it was Christmas. You could get supplies, but choices were slim. At this point it seems that you can take what they've got or do without. The lines for gasoline stretched probably 15 cars deep at each pump. I felt relief that I didn't have to wait in line because I filled up yesterday.
There was a rumor that spread quickly across the State today that gasoline would be rationed. It depended on who you talked to as to what version of the story you got. It would begin at 5 p.m. or midnight, there would be a five gallon for $5 limit, etc. Governor Jeb Bush set the record straight in a press conference this afternoon that there were no plans in place to ration gasoline. He said that there is no shortage and supplies should be adequate. I hope he's right.
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Doing What You Gotta Do
News reports all morning have focused on the faces of Floridians along the Gulf Coast where Ivan may be headed. Dealing with the preparations and aftermath of three major hurricanes in one month is beginning to take its toll on everyone. Some people's faces seemed as long as the lines that stretched down home improvement center isles. While ice and water were readily available at many locations in the Tampa Bay area, finding plywood, generators or gasoline proved nearly impossible. Today, instead playing in the sand at the beach, some spent the day filling sand bags. Some decided enough was enough and have left the area... some even the state. Still others seemed to take it all in stride, shrugging and then saying, "You do what you gotta do."
Sunday, September 12
Hurricane Cures
Hurricane Ivan has slowed from original forecasts and will not affect the Peninsula of Florida as soon as expected. The uncertainty of its path has left residents on edge and with time to ponder a number of things. I know I have wondered... do I have time to drive out-of-state to purchase a generator? That was answered by my husband being in one of the stores today just as they got a shipment. One now sets in our garage. I have also wondered if I should have just taken a vacation somewhere with my girls while they are out of school. It would have definitely been more fun. And, I wondered why, with all the modern technology, someone hasn't come up with an idea to lessen the punch of hurricanes.I remember years ago reading about experiments being undertaken to diffuse hurricanes. It was a long time ago, but it had something to do with dropping chemicals into the storm in the hopes of making them weaker. I believe they called it "seeding" and it was supposed to cause them to "rain out," thus breaking up the huge storms. I always thought it was an idea worth the time and effort and wondered why it was apparently abandoned, or at least why I never read anymore about it. Well, according to an article at CNN.com, Amateurs Search for Hurricane Cures, amateur hurricane-busters are always thinking up new ideas — some of which are downright crazy. They include one businessman who is so sure his plan will work that he has assembled a team consisting of two former astronauts to work on the plan.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Talking Trash
It seems that forecasters had just gotten the words out of their mouths — that Tampa Bay was no longer a target of Ivan — when the good will and pull-together-attitude of the last month seemed to dissipate and the complaining began. Although somewhat justified after over a week without power, those without complained. Those whose streets and homes are still flooded from Hurricane Frances were complaining, and perhaps they were justified too.Continue by clicking "Next."
