Looking Ahead
This hurricane season is proving that no one is safe from natural disasters.
People living high up in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina never thought a hurricane could ravage their communities. But it did. In fact, Hurricane Helene started in the Gulf before leaving its mark on several states.
Florida has been hit by two hurricanes in two weeks.
First Helene battered homes and businesses, and now Hurricane Milton has left destruction in its wake.
Storm surge, winds toping 100 mph and tornadoes tore through Florida from one side of the state to the other.
People living in the affected areas are left in a state of shock.
Taking Stock
At the Sanders home in downtown Shady Pines, Edna washes the breakfast dishes in the sink. She watches the coverage of Hurricane Milton on TV.
“Oh my goodness. I feel so sorry for these people. That could happen to any of us.”
Her husband, Harold, rushes into the kitchen. He’s looking for something.
“Honey, have you seen my keys?” he asks. “I can’t find them and I’m going to be late for work.”
Edna points to a basket on the kitchen counter by the back door.
“They’re right over there,” she says.
Harold is releived. “Oh. Thank you, dear.”
He looks at the TV. “Are you watching the news about the latest hurricane?”
Edna nods. “I am. And it has me thinking.”
Harold is not sure he should ask. “Thinking about what?”
Before she can answer, there’s a piercing cat scream followed by a loud bark coming from the other room.
A silver cat with a pink collar races in followed by an Australian Shepherd dog. They whip around the kitchen table and nearly knock Edna and Harold off their feet.
Harold grabs the dog by his collar just as the cat leaps onto her perch by the window sill.
“Boomerang and Halley’s Comet what has gotten into you two?”
The animals look at each other.
“When dad uses our full names we’re in trouble, “says Boomer.
“You started it,” says Halley.
“You are the most confounding creature,” says Boomer. “I told you to leave my toys alone.”
Edna sighs. “These two.”
Harold releases Boomer who immediately looks for his rawhide bone.
“What were you going to say before we were interrupted?”
Edna sits at the table. “I really think we need an evacuation plan.”
Making A Plan
Harold agrees. “You’re right. In the past we’ve just been winging it.”
Edna can’t stop looking at the TV. “I know. But these storms seem bigger and are showing up more often than before.”
Harold has an idea “Why don’t I call my brother up north and ask him if we could stay there if we need to leave?”
Edna shakes her head. “That won’t work. Don’t you remember? He’s allergic to cats.”
Boomer looks up from his bone. “I’m allergic to everything about Halley. I still have to live with her. Doesn’t that count?
Halley yawns. “You are paws-itively hilarious.”
Boomer growls.
“Oh, yeah,” says Harold. “I forgot about that.”
Edna get up from the table and hugs Harold. ” I know you’ve got to get going, but why don’t we talk more about this tonight?”
Donations Needed
“I think that’s a great idea,” says Harold. “In the meantime, why don’t we both go by the Community Center today and donate to The Lantern Project?“
Edna turns her gaze first to Boomer and then to Halley. “I think I’ll take the kids with me. They seem to need a lesson in how to think of others and not just themselves!”
Harold laughs. “That project was set up to help people and pets impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Now with Milton, the need for clothing, food and household supplies is even greater.”
With that, Harold goes off to work. He own the Nuts ‘N Bolts hardware store on Main Street.
Edna heads upstairs to look through closets and drawers for items to donate. Her four-legged children are right on her heels.
The great thing about the folks who live in this small Southern town is that they practice kindness and caring as a way of life.
As for an evacuation plan… Do you have one?
How timely and needed. The poor folks in Asheville are a reminder that disasters show no favors and none of us are immune. Sadly it only seems to be getting worse. Thank you Mary Jane for the post!
Thank you Jerry for your comment and observation.
I still can’t get over the severity of these recent storms. Very scary.
What a good reminder from Shady Pines. You never know when you’re going to have to leave with very little notice
Why is it we make plans for everything but this?
No, we don’t have an evacuation plan. Thanks for the reminder.
Great post!🤗🐾
Thank you Linda. Most of us don’t!
This is an important reminder that practicing kindness and caring should be a way of life in every community.
#ShadyPinesStoryTownStrong
Thank you for saying that Tammy!
It’s really unnerving how these storms are coming with such frequency and force. Good post
Thank you!
This post made me think about my own situation. I don’t have an evacuation plan
Most of us don’t!
What a helpful reminder that no matter where you live these days you need to be ready to leave at any time
I really liked this. This is one of those topics that doesn’t come up over dinner. Not sure why. Especially when you live in hurricane zones. Maybe we always figure disasters happen to other people, not us
Excellent….asking us all, young &
old to be prepared for situation of
disaster. Supporting others when
these situations occur. Kindness
can be given at all levels
food, clothing, shelter and just
simple assistance Shady Pines children could do by befriending
those young victimst
Such a good point Jane. Thank you for your comment!
An evacuation plan is very important and you must include your animals. Everyone must plan now before a disaster strikes and hopefully one bever will. Edna is practicing caring and kindness by cleaning out her closet and donating items to the cause. We all need to do our part no matter how small!
What a great message. Thank you Tricia!
Bill Hall October 10 2024
Having an evacuation plan is always a good idea . At the moment I am visiting our son in Orlando having spent an evening living through hurricane Milton .Our plan was to go to one of several shelters in his town if we needed to evacuate. A plan should be established before not during your hasty evacuation . Extreme weather events seem to happen all over our country .
So true Bill. Thanks for sharing and so happy you and your son are safe in Florida
Good advice to discuss an evacuation plan. Being prepared can save lives.
It really can as we are learning. Thank you Teresa!
We are living in scary times. My sister lives in northern California. They deal with fires. Same issue. Evacuation is now a way of life
Oh my gosh. This is so timely. We were talking the other day about what we would do if we were forced to evacuate.
It’s absolutely true that it could happen to any of us. The oceans are heating up and causing intense storms in unexpected places. We haven’t had an evacuation plan, but having been discussing that we need one.
Three chairs for the Lantern Project!
Thank you Sheri.Yes. These storms are altering the way we live and plan!
Better to address possible evacuation in the event it’s necessary. Not pleasant but best to be prepared. We just don’t know. Thanks for the reminder.
So true. Thank you Elaine
What an opportune post – if only my kids would utilize those evacuation plans😀
One can always hope! Thank you Joanne
It’s just unreal about these storms and the damage they’re doing. Good idea to talk about an evacuation plan
What an important post given all that’s going on right now