10/09/2024
Hi all, I borrowed this from a friend, it does a good job saying what we are all trying to say about the hurricane.
ยท
"...Dear everyone who doesn't live in Florida but loves someone who does,
Here are some things you need to know about hurricanes:
๐ They don't come until they come, so if you ask us how we are 72 hours before we expect the winds to start, don't be surprised if we tell you we're fine. Please believe us. We're actively preparing, and we're watching the forecast more closely than you are, but we're truly fine at the moment.
๐ Hurricanes are unpredictable. No matter how good the models are, hurricanes often demonstrate a mind of their own. We're always hoping and praying for a turn or "wobble" that sends the monster further from civilization. But if you ask us what's going to happen three or four days from now, we honestly don't know for sure (and neither do the meteorologists).
๐๏ธ An entire state can't evacuate. Everyone packing up, jumping into their cars and heading north may seem like a great idea. However, the truth is that those of us in "safer" inland regions generally need to stay put to reserve the roads, gas, hotel rooms, shelters, plane tickets, etc. for the most vulnerable folks who live on the coast in the storm's path (where evacuation orders exist). Some inland folks may choose to leave, but most of us stay put and follow the instructions of our local governments.
๐ We truly appreciate your love and concern, the offers to stay in your homes, etc. Know that the national media is doing a pretty good job of stirring up your anxiety. Our local weather teams are much calmer and more knowledgeable about how the hurricanes affect our area. They are working nonstop to give us updates and telling us to prepare. We trust them. When the tie comes off, the sleeves are rolled up, and we're told to hunker down, we're ready.
๐ Of course we're worried, but we're trying to do all the right things to prepare and not freak out. Thanks for offering words of love and encouragement (and not jumping on the freak-out wagon - it just makes it harder on us)..."
With Love From Your Florida Loved Ones โฅ๏ธ
From me: one of the real problems we deal with is the weather forecaster hype. After months of boring weather outlooks, suddenly, the forecasters have something with meat on it to talk about it. And the hype starts before the storm has even formed and it's a race to see who can get the most spaghetti models on the chart or who can predict the largest storm surge. We live with this every single storm and having lived in Florida for a few years, most of have learned to ignore the hype, keep an eye on legitimate and accurate forecasts, make appropriate preparations and not fall prey to the "we're all gonna die tomorrow" prognosticators."
In the meantime, we prepare...we watch...we wait...and we pray...