Sunday, June 1, 2025

Hurricane Season 2025

"In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love," Locksley Hall (1842), Lord Tennyson. That may remain true here almost 200 years hence. But spring, for me, is when thoughts turn to hurricane season (and admittedly, I am not young). Not to be overly pessimistic, but the season always presents us with potential challenges. Recognition, preparation, and communication are likely our best resorts each June 1.

I have chronicled many storms over the years. A list of old posts is included below. My personal experience includes Ivan, Dennis, and Sally. I have driven into the aftermath of Katrina, Michael, Zeta, and more. It is fair to say that I have no love for hurricanes. I spend half of each year worrying about storms. Some of that is more immediate than others; the ones that threaten Paradise build more angst. 

Nonetheless, I worry each year about everyone from Charleston to Houston. That said, my focus is the 1,300 miles of Florida coastline, and those of you who could be in harm's way there. But, when the storms threaten Paradise, then it becomes frfr ("for real, for real). To keep it 100, hurricane season is tough. 

Way too many people get caught short when disasters strike. They rarely planned to fail, but that was the result indeed. The failure usually results from not planning - "it can't happen to me." The running analogy is the ostrich burying its head in the sand, which is not a real thing. Despite its inaccuracy, the image has come to represent ignoring the truth or danger. 

Courtesy Adobe Images

This is a good time of year to prepare for hurricanes. Although the season starts June 1, there is still time to make a difference. Everyone knows that the serious storms usually come a bit later in the season. Preparation suggestions or reminders for you include:

Know when you will evacuate - what storm approach or strength is most likely to prompt you?

Know how to get information, "favorite":

Understand that power outages are likely to create interruptions. Make these sites and tools available and handy on your portable device in case that is all you have. Keep a charger for your devices in your car. 

Make a list of names, addresses, and phone numbers for your team. Do you know how to contact work, social, and family connections in the event of an emergency? What if your phone is damaged (everything I used to remember is in my phone)? Make a physical list and put it somewhere safe (car, email it to yourself, etc.). Do they know how to contact you? Do they know where you might go in an evacuation? Share information and collaborate in communication. 

Think through where you might go. Can your pets go there? Is there a better place? Is there someone who can watch your pets while you evacuate and even recover post-storm? Are you covering contingencies?

Gather your important documents, memorabilia, and treasures. The day a storm threatens is not the time to strive to think about what to load in a vehicle. Know before you need to, and make a list. 

Get some supplies. Bottled water is the easy one to contemplate. But some canned goods are a sound investment, as are some unspoilables like peanut butter, nuts, jerky, etc. This is a good excuse to stock snacks, and if the storm doesn't come, you can enjoy them anyway (I get one or two each year that my physician would likely disagree with, but why not?). 

Print your calendar. Everyone is now fully engaged in electronic records. But if e-JCC goes down (as it did in 2024), you may be in a dire situation. I recommend printing on the first of each month - print the whole month. This gives you important dates, tasks, and reminders. What to do with it? Put it in your car, take it home, email it to yourself (somewhere like G, Y, or other mail that will not go down if there is a local power outage). 

Plan ahead. This is a good time of year to avoid deadlines. Strive to file early, and do not put off tasks. The earlier the better when there are possibilities of interruptions or power outages. 

Communicate - does your team and family know the plan for any closure or evacuation? Do they know how to regroup, reconnect, and persevere after?

When you contemplate return, remember The Waffle House Index (May 2017). It is a good tool to assess how bad the outcome(s) might be, and how soon to attempt a return. 

Look out for you and yours. There is danger from storms. There is danger in cleaning up afterward. There can be long-term challenges for the person, family, and community. Anticipate that, accept that, and prepare yourself for the challenges that can persist in life following such events. 

Be safe, and focused. Many have been injured, dispossessed, and killed over the years. Avoid these with planning, care, and communication. 


    

Previous Hurricane Posts?
Tis the Season to be . . . Prepared (April 2014)
It is that time of year again (May 2015)
Hurricanes and Knowing their Impact on the OJCC (October 2016)
Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season (May 2017)
The Waffle House Index (May 2017)
Harvey and Irma will be on Lists (September 2017)
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love Ya, Tomorrow (September 2017)
Farewell Irma, I Never Liked you (September 2017)
Because we need it, They Will Come (September 2017)
Hurricanes - Past and Future (April 2018)
Mental Health and Recovery (November 2018)
National Disasters and Planning Ahead (December 2018)
Dorian Passes and Reminds Us (September 2019)
Sally in September (September 2020)
"She was no Ivan" (October 2020)
The Bridge that Isn't (January 2021)
If You Were Half the Bridge I Am (June 2021)
It's not That the Wind is Blowin' (June 2021)
It's that Time Again (April 30, 2023)
A Harbinger? (May 2024)
New and Improved (July 2024)
Name one Litela? (October 2024)





at