A Few Of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-14-03....Hurricane Hunters

dansangel; Billie

[nicmarlo]

Morning, dixie sass! : )

[LadyX]

Growing up in Florida gave us the alternative to snowstorms of Northerners - hurricanes.
My first years were in Coral Gables, a residential area by Miami, and I remember well all the hurricane precautions. Fill the tub with water (to use to wash up, flush toilet, etc.), secure everything outside (garbage cans, lawn chairs, etc., tacky pink flamingos, if you had one..:)).

I enjoyed them as a little one, since I was allowed to stay up late and listen to the weather reports on the battery-operated radio (pre-TV days).
Inevitably, the power would go off, and I thought it was really cool to have a kerosene lamp and play endless board games with my sister.

I do have a story that predates me a bit. My father in his 20's was a Manager of Florida Power & Light facilities, and in 1928 had the one at Okeechobee.
My sister Anne was 3 when the very destructive 1928 hurricane was brewing.

To ensure their safety, the Lake Okeechobee area a sea level swampy territory, he placed Mom and Anne on a train to go to South Carolina to stay with her parents.

Surely enough, it was a monster in terms of lives lost - -

* Deadliest Hurricanes

Hurricane Year Category Deaths

*FL (Lake Okeechobee)1928 4 1836

*FL (Keys)/S TX 1919 4 600#

*FL (Keys)1935 5 408

*FL (Miami)1926 4 243

Those 1,836 deaths in 1928 resulted from the storm itself and diseases from the flooding and lack of potable water.
The number would have been greater had Daddy not had a great idea and acted swiftly.

In a day with few cars, much less trucks and no way to get planes in (which could not carry hefty loads anyway), he ordered through the government emergency water supplies to be brought in by trains early on, saving the day for many.

Side Note: Anne describes to me remembering that time well, staying right here in Barnwell, SC with our grandparents, my grandfather a minister here.

The parsonage was a two-storied house, and as she stood at the head of the stairs, the remnants of the storm had headed here, causing a huge oak to crash through the wall right at the foot of the stairs while she watched!
Safety indeed, but it nearly caused her early demise!

I've been through many a hurricane, including two at Parris Island, two in Virginia on the coast in Chincoteague (1955), and quite a few inland in North and South Carolina, as well as Florida.

Later years brought bizzards in Ohio and South Dakota and literal whiteouts in Alaska, as well as The Good Friday Earthquake there in March of 1964.

Someone once asked if I thought perhaps it could be that I trail disaster in my wake!

I report - you decide..:))

[HiJinx]

Maybe it's the other way around --

You're there before, during, and after disasters in order to help those in need...

[nicmarlo]

perhaps it could be that I trail disaster in my wake! . . . I report - you decide..:))

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Let me think about that one! : )

I certainly haven't caused any place I've lived in to have experienced a hurricane. : ) (I'm glad, too!) I once saw a water spout, though, while vacationing in Clearwater...that was amazing to watch....and so very close!

[LadyX]

How kind of you, Jinxie!

I was afraid I was the female version of Joe, the cartoon character of long ago, who had a little black cloud over his head..:))

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin' ! :O)

[dixie sass]

The C-130's are beautiful. With hurricanes becoming bigger, harsher, and faster, their job becomes more important. The Air Force performs many important tasks here in Charleston, the C-17 flights in and out of Iraq, carrying everthing from goods, fighting equipment, and paratroopers to bringing home our civilians and military, but by far the Hurricane work is the most important effecting everyone and everything between the outer islands in the Carribean to much of the eastern seaboard.

Off we go into the wild blue yonder...

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe ! That's why I tried to fix that boo-boo quickly . . .

[MeekOneGOP]

I'm going to take you up on that second cup....Meekie, another hot chocolate, please! :-)

Caaaaaaaa-rrrrrrr-lllllll !! Another cup for the lady, please !!

Here ya go, ma'am !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[Diver Dave]

You mean this joe?

[jwfiv]

Good day to our Hostesses...thank you, dansangel...I'm usually blown away by the Finest, today especially so...)

Thanks for all the good info on the noble fliers who skirt the edges of chaos...gosh, they've a lot more nerve than me, I'm such chicken.

Good morning and blessings on all Freepers...wishing you a most wonderful Wednesday.

[dixie sass]

Oh,(red face)! Patriots of the Republic is a chatroom at Paltalk. They broadcast over Mel Piots Christain Broadcasting every night Monday through Thursday, 11 est, 10 central, and 9 pacific.

We have a Molly Pitcher over there who is also a Freeper. To funny. She is from Pierce Mo. and due to the Tornadoes there hasn't been on line for about a week.

[Pippin]

Hi, (((LG)))!

I thought you found one of them icons you was looking for?

[Pippin]

LOL!

sounds like an idea.

as long as the guy picking me up is cute and single and RICH!

[Pippin]

Hi, (((Dansy)))!

[Pippin]

Hi, Molly!

[Pippin]

it's the pits!

[Pippin]

Hi, (((JW)))!

[The Thin Man]

Hi dansy! These Hurricane Hunters are quite a special breed. I know there's nothing more I'd rather do than fly into hurricanes, but unfortunately there are none in my area. What a shame. :)

[Billie]

Good morning, Sistah! I wanted to tell you what an excellent job you did on this presentation. The visuals and the content are just perfect - and so is your pledge graphic!

This is very informative and interesting, and timely, with the Hurricane Season approaching.

Hey, wonder who is in charge of naming these Hurricanes.....think we will ever see one named "Dansangel"? :)