| Debris. Wind. Rain. Sand. Surge. Sun. It is still a hot and humid summer season that extended into our Florida (FL) fall. As a Floridian since 1971, I have always known that the months of June 1st – November 30th are hurricane season. We go into the hurricane season being prepared in our home, and always have. We also have learned that meteorologists only predict within approximately 24 hours of where the hurricane will make landfall. So everything leading up to that is “nervous noise” in our minds, causing undo stress. We try to avoid getting caught up in the pre-landing fear and hype (especially that has surrounded FL’s hurricane season since Hurricane Andrew in 1992) focusing instead on being prepared for whatever may come. Although Helena did not damage our home, we did have trees down on our property that created debris. The largest impact was to our little-slice of old FL home-away-from-home to our 22 year+ condo on Sunset Beach, Treasure Island (SBTI), FL. Follow the City on Instagram to see the rebuilding that has started and the resiliency of coastal communities. Almost all of FL’s west coast barrier islands were impacted and turned into a war zone due to the storm surge and sand. Homes with first-floor levels of any type were hit hard, as an eight-foot storm surge left 4-6 feet of sand and devastation along the barrier islands. It was devastating and saddening to see and life on SBTI will not be the same for a long time for the people who work and live there, especially with Milton now headed this way. And then there is of course, the tragedy left in western North Carolina and neighboring states hit by Helene. To better understand how a hurricane can hit an inland State like this, here is the best article I have found explaining it: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/03/helene-climate-western-north-carolina-00181959 I have been in the environmental and sustainability industry since 1992. It basically means we walk the talk in work, home, and play. I grew up and have lived in FL all my life and got into this field to be and do the good for the state I grew up in (lakes, springs, rivers, oceans and land). For 54 years I have lived in all parts of the State (central, east, west, and south) and have witnessed 83 hurricanes that have hit FL. During that time, these hurricanes caused at least $45 billion in damage and 54 fatalities. I am a believer in climate change and have done work in my sustainability career and life to protect the earth globe and FL’s beautiful environment that I love. I encourage you to give, donate, or get involved in local hurricane relief programs. Many communities have been devastated by the storms and are left with nothing, and your support can make a big difference. Just google them. I leave you with this Arts in Health colored-pencil piece I made for calming of all the sunsets I have witnessed in FL since 1971. It is a bold reminder that mother nature is in charge. She reminds us every night through her soft and bold colors that we can wake up the next day to a sunrise of rest and resiliency. And still we rise. (Maya Angelou) |
Hurricanes! Florida Sunshine State Girl
