It seems to me that the hurricane season here in Florida is much like the cat and mouse game played in the world at floor level, close to where these games are played out.  Due to long range forecasting when storms are reported thousands of miles away, the forecasters can plot possible tracks of the coming hurricane and tell where it will hit our mainland after destroying many of the islands that are in the way.

For a while there, I became interested in laying in greater supplies for the impending strike of wind, water and airborne debris.  I do not think there is anything I could have done to prevent disaster hitting us other than to check out the inner closet, see if batteries were charged in our “hurricane” lamps and seek shelter if not warned to evacuate.

I once thought that hurricanes (those that hit New Jersey) were adventures where you went down to the beach and watched the waves roll in while you leaned into the wind.  This was easy for me for we lived less than a mile from the Atlantic Ocean.  I have no memories of tropical winds at hurricane speeds tearing anything loose.  Of course, everything got extremely wet and my sump pumps worked overtime for the duration.  Trees did go down and electricity did go out but there were none of the things that many of the old Florida hands report happening in previous storms.

It is hard to conceptualize a hurricane or tornado bearing down, ripping apart, and uprooting whole communities.  Nevertheless, that has happened here and we are told to prepare for it happening again.  That is not too hard to do and we are willing to follow directions and lay in supplies and go where it is most safe.

What is particularly frightening is the realization that an approaching storm of hurricane proportions is like an approaching war.  You can hunker down but you really cannot hide.  The randomness of attacks of bombs hurled at you or pellets of rain driven your way is unpredictable.  What is predictable is the misery of anyone in the path of destruction.  That is why there are provisions for evacuation.

An unfortunate realization is that evacuation may not be an option for many of us who are old and sick.  Such people cause much concern for the officials who make the decision for us to depart.  I would much rather make plans to pack and take a trip.  I do not like to think of cowering in our closet. But, we will.