...I actually heard Gov.Jeb Bush say ..."We don't know where God will ...(not sure of the word here...maybe 'direct' or 'send')...a hurricane.
Meanwhile, his FEMA rep was talking about 'mother nature'....
..Frankly, I've never met mother nature, but I sure know a lot about God from reading His bestseller.
Seems like Jeb might have read the same Book.
OK. Here's my hurricane survival story.
Moved to Florida last fall from Vermont. Bought a home in rural Manatee County east of I75 on ten acres in a nice development with not many trees.
On hearing the initial storm warnings, we picked up all the outdoor furniture, hoses, cans, etc and put them away. Checked with neighbors and looked around the area, absolutely no one has hurricane shutters or was putting up plywood. So, felt comfortable doing the same.
We do have two sets of large sliding doors on the south side of the house, and tile floors. So, we moved the furniture from this part of the house to the bedrooms in case the windows broke, we might still save the furnishings.
Storm was initially predicted to hit land slightly north of us and about 25 miles west. That could have been worst case for us as the winds were stronger and coming at us from the south in that scenario.
Followed the storm's progress all day via local TV/radio and internet. Thing most lacking was a clear track we could use for the path of the storm. Plenty of info on who must evacuate, when and where to. In this county at least, handicapped, who were pre-registered would be picked up from their homes.
Shortly before storm made it's jog to the east, we lost power and started relying on radio only. Six area stations had pooled their personnel and were simulcasting on all six stations. They were taking phone calls from anyone and everyone and answering all kinds of stupid questions. Actual storm info was there, but not in very good detail.
We did finally learn, as the winds and rain started pounding us, that the storm had actually moved east of us and had almost passed us. It was hammering Arcadia at that point. We got winds of maybe 40 mph and a total rainfall for the day of less than 3 inches. Because the storm was east of us, the winds we got were from the north, and the sliders were not in jeopardy.
Power was restored mid morning today and ISP came back on line shortly after. Absolutely no damage here or even debris to pick up, but there will either be storm shutters or precut plywood ready to protect my windows before we have another storm.
We have a generator and a well, so that part is already taken of
Keep our fellow citizens to the east, south and north in mind. They were not as lucky as we were.