Hurricane

[ArthurWood]

Oh, darn (I'm being polite for this forum), we are in Atlanta visiting our son and a tropical storm/hurricane is forming outside our back door in Florida. Our 540 mile drive back on Sunday could be interesting. Let's hope the house is still there and the boat is still in the water when we arrive. The boat might be in the house! Our insurance is paid up, fortunately

 

[Guest]

The boss and I were on holiday in Florida a number of years ago and there was a hurricane coming in just around the time we were leaving. We could not believe the exodus. What's the problem says she -its only a little bit of wind.

We left the day before and were waiting in Boston for a connecting flight and the news came on the TV showing the hurricane and my lasting memory was of what looked like a relatively undamaged Grand Banks or similar about 36ft bobbing about in someones swimming pool, some distance from the sea. The home owner must have thought Xmas had come early and Santa was being extraordinarily generous.

Nick

 

[ArthurWood]

Nick, My reaction to a tropical storm was the same as your wife's the first time I encountered one, but after a couple of experiences, I now have more respect for them. It's not just the wind which is a problem, but the enormous amount of rainfall(up to 20" in 24 hr) and the tidal surge which accompany them. Of course, a slow moving storm is the worst as it just hangs, blows and drops buckets of water. Our house is 0.25mi from the Gulf and 12ft above sea level.

 

[Guest]

Coming from the West of Scotland, we see lots of gales and quite a lot of rain. I guess its just not in the concentrations of a tropical storm (thankfully) and as I have never experienced one first hand I can only guess what it must be like, especially when so many people run for cover.

Still, I often wonder about that Grand Banks. I have this mental picture of the owner down at the marina scratching his head trying to find it under the pile of yachts etc., and another one of the home owner getting back and finding this small ship in his swimming pool. That would really have upset the Sunday barbecue.

I know its not funny and I hope all was OK for all concerned but I still can't help a little chuckle.

Nick

 

[ArthurWood]

We arrived home last evening and found the house and boat safe and sound. That storm which developed just off the coast here has gone north and is now a hurricane.
I am originally from SW England, so I also know what gales are, but I've also seen the effects of hurricane Andrew on a friend's house and on his local marina. His 2" thick Brazilian mahogany front doors were each simply split down the middle
and the wind rushing through the house blew the roof off and projected roof tiles through his furniture and into the walls. Ironically, his 20ft boat on a trailer in the garden was almost untouched. Ah, the forces of nature, but you are right, the results do bring a smile, sometimes, especially if you are only a spectator!