What do we learn from Hurricanes?

The basic precautions for us here in East Texas when a Hurricane Watch is in effect have to do with being ready. 

Be Prepared . . . Isn’t that the Boy Scouts marching song?  Well, in a way, Boy Scout principles apply. 

Essentially, if you are living in the South, in the possible path of a hurricane, you try to assess how safe you might be if you stayed. 

If you are in a manufactured home, it is pretty likely you are going to leave that home as the structure is not really a match for torrential winds and rain. If a family is too late to get away from the area, they generally go to a brick or concrete structure (possibly a church or a school) to wait out the storm with others. If a storm came without any warning, they might dive into a ditch at the side of the road and perhaps cover themselves with a small mattress or bed roll. 

We are fortunate to live in a brick home but that does not mean we are totally “safe”. 

Hubby, being a Sagittarius as well as an Engineer used to disasters, tends to take preparations in stride. (I am a Taurus, an Earth sign.) At my beckoning, he does check the battery stock and makes sure we have water on hand. Hubby has lived on the Gulf Coast of Texas and on the island of Aruba, so he has seen lots of hurricanes. 

Now, when they lived on the Gulf Coast, he and his first wife, Jayne, used to drive to where we live now! Hmmm . . . when I think about that, it reminds me that East Texas is generally fairly safe. Probably the most danger comes from all the old trees in this area. 

Of course, I am more nervous than Hubby, so I make sure I have a few provisions stored in the bathroom in the middle of the house as that is where we are supposed to go in the event of a ferocious storm. 

What do we learn from hurricanes? Well, we learn that we can survive. We can survive without power although it will get pretty hot at this time of the year. (Air-conditioning here is not a luxury, it is a must.) 

We learn that we can play cards, eat simple foods and just sit and enjoy each other. 

We recall what it was like when we were kids and did not have all the frills we have today. Hubby and I both came from northern areas, so generally it was not as hot as it gets here. It is kind of fun to do without – oh, for about an hour or two! 

We also learn how generous and helpful people can be.

Churches open their doors for shelter to evacuees. Food is provided and prepared for those forced to leave their homes. 

Professional Counselors (we have several in our family) donate their time and talent to help people survive the ordeal mentally. 

When the tumult is over and the damage assessed, people stand up and help with repairs and clean-up. 

What becomes apparent is that we’re all in this thing together and the only way out is to pull together. 

We think “Love your neighbor as yourself”, our Lord’s teaching, comes in to full play during a hurricane.