My adventures living on a Caribbean island. Welcome to my monthly, or not so monthly adventures. We try not to commit too soon here on island.
Impression #9
Hurricane Season. Yes, it’s that time of year when
all islanders in the Caribbean start watching Noah and The Weather Channel on
an hourly basis. Having lived in areas with tornadoes, microbursts, and ice
storms, I have discovered I have the right mindset for handling Hurricane
Season. Of course, it helps having a retired Fire Chief and Coast Guard
auxiliarist living with me :-)
Some people wondered why I moved from sunny, hot
Arizona to sunny, warm and moist St. Croix, especially since St. Croix gets
hurricanes. Hmmm, well eighty degree temperatures year-round, warm aqua waters
a person can stay in all day without getting cold, and lush green vegetation
are just a few reasons. Another reason is while the Caribbean has hurricanes
which I can prepare for a week in advance, Arizona has microbursts (often
called upside down tornadoes) that come up out of nowhere with absolutely no
warning and yes, I had the opportunity to experience a couple of those. I’ll
take hurricanes over microbursts any day.
I think one key to being ready for a hurricane is
coming to terms with the possibility of losing everything I own. When I look at
all my “stuff,” I realize that it is only that which has emotional strings that
truly has value to me. So when it comes
to preparation, that evaluation makes the process much easier.
Another key to preparation is knowing where we will
go in case of strong storm surge, (we literally live on the beach) and
deciding what we will bring with us. Of
course, the cat, computers, important papers, and medications will make the
exodus. For a more mild event, we prepare with a tune-up of the generator,
propane gas for the grill, and easy to make food and snacks (usually and excuse
to but all the “bad for us” food :-).
So living in an area that has hurricanes is all
about having a plan and being prepared.
Yes, we need to be on watch 5 months out of the year, but it sure is a
lot better than freezing for 7 months a year in New Hampshire, or dehydrating
from over 110 degree temperatures for 5 months of the year in Arizona, at least
in my opinion :-)
Lesson #9
It’s worth a little hurricane preparation and
watchfulness to live in paradise!
Stay Warm,
Alexis
Stay Warm,
Alexis
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