I know many of you are probably already tired of hearing this, or maybe you just don't care, but I'm a bit nervous and I have to write something about it or I'll go a bit nuts. I'm watching the Weather Channel trying to get my mind to thinking that this Hurricane Season will not be a bad one. Well, we have Tropical Storm Eduardo in the Gulf and it's forming fast. They are expecting it to make landfall around Port O'Connor Texas which is by Galveston and Houston. Thank God I don't live in Houston. But the weather lady did nothing to sooth my nerves. She mention that even Lake Charles, LA were I currently reside is in its path. I've had my mom and dad call me worrying their poor guts out. I told them that I could probably survive and Category 1 or 2 but 3 on up, I'll have to leave. Not that I believe this storm will hit 3 or higher, but I do believe it has a good chance of reaching a Cat. 1. 

The destination of this beast could change at any moment. I remember for Rita they said it was going to hit Galveston and Houston, and the stupid storm turns and travels up the Sabine pass which isn't far from Lake Charles. Lake Charles is probably just a good hour away from Beaumont, TX if you're wondering.

I know we're supposed to get a lot of rain for the rest of the week. *sigh* August is always a bad month for us. Hurricanes just pop up from no where. So I'm a bit on edge right now. I'm sitting here hoping the weather lady on the weather channel doesn't mention Lake Charles name again in the path of the storm.  Hell, I need to buy some camera film, which I"ve not done like I was supposed too. I wish I could afford a digital camera. It would be so much easier cause the stupid people at Wal-Mart lose your pics. -__-

Okay, well, I feel a tad bit better but not much. I don't know what the future may hold. Maybe I'm getting anxious for nothing (and I certainly hope this is the case) but you can never be sure. My job, my home, everything is on the line each time someone from the Weather Channel mentions Hurricane. As long as it's not a CAT. 3, we're okay. *takes deep breath* Stupid sleeping pills, when will you kick in. -___-

 

As you all know, it's now Hurricane Season. I hate and love this season all at the same time. Of course, this year, I'm not prepared at all. So, either tomorrow or the next day, I'll probably go shopping for some perishables like chips, spam, and other things like that that don't need to be refrigerated. I still have some MREs from when Rita hit, so I'll use those as well. 

Another thing I have to do is make an emergency contact list for the ITS department at the hospital. I was supposed to have finished that a couple of weeks ago, but I got side tracked and now I'm like...okay, tomorrow this is getting done. I know right now they are forcasting Dolly to probably hit around Brownsville, TX. Hopefully it'll just remain a tropical storm and not turn into anything. If it does, I can guess it'll be a 1 or 2 if it makes landfall. The odds of it turning towards Lake Charles are somewhat slim, but we've seen Hurricanes do strange things. I'm 22. I know how crazy those beast of the air and sea are. -__- 

I also need to buy some camera film just in case. I'm not saying that thing will come here (God I pray it'll not) but in the case one does manage and I have to evacuate again, I'll have my  camera to take before and after pics for the insurance people, fucked up FEMA (hate those guys), and for all of you to see the before and after.

So as of right now, we have one hell of a Tropical Storm in the Gulf of Mexico and my eyes are ever vigilant to weather.com. 

This is, as of right now, Tropical Storm Dolly. Looks like it's dropping loads onto poor Cancun. When dealing with Hurricanes, always expect lots of rain and flooding, high winds, tornados, power outages, flying objects, and a killer heat wave afterwards with tons of misquitos.



When Rita hit, they said it was supposed to hit Galveston, TX. Then all of a sudden it was going to hit up the Sabine Pass. Well, thank God I went back home. Even though it's only like an hour drive, that hour made the difference. I still remember that night clearly though. Were my parents live at, it's very prone to tornados, (we live in the woods so the trees protect the house). The electricity went out at midnight right on the dot as we were watching the hurricane on t.v. Then this horrible wind and noise outside was just wild with loads and buckets of rain pouting down. The trees were swaying and going nuts. I could hear the tornados over head (just because they don't touch down doesn't mean they are harmless). We were all in the living room honkering down and praying as we (or anybody else) would do in such a crisis. I was in my mom's recliner trying to sleep when I could hear this sound outside. When people tell you that tornados sound like a freight train, it's true. It sounds like a train coming down the tracks. No whistle, no horn, just that deep steady, hard sound like a million horses galloping and reigning down on you.....next time a train passes by, pay attention to the sound it makes, You'll understand. Then I felt this horrible pressure in the house and I could just feel our house lift off of the blocks for a second and then it was down.

Afterwards, the wind still howled, tree branches still snapped, and the rain still poured, but we passed the eye. It's after the hurricane that's truly the killer. There's no water, no electricity. It's hot like hell. My dad had to cook almost everything in the freezer before it went bad. I ate bar-b-que three times a day if not more. I tend to treat these events as a camping trip though. My dad doesnt' like it cause we're girls yada yada. Whatever. Power was out for  a week and I remember everyone going to the police station in town to meet with the National Guard to get dry ice and MREs. We had to stand in line for gas. It was horrible. I hated it cause I had to sleep in the trunk of my mom's car. I got claustrophobic. Please give me a tent anytime.

So yeah. I'm 22, and like I said, I've lived through quite a few of these. This is nothing new. I'm just grateful that each time we come out barely scratched. So heres to hoping that this Hurricane season, no one gets to view my before and after pics.

I've lived in Louisiana all my life and since I was a child, I've lived through numerous Hurricanes. With the approach of Hurricane season coming (for the Gulf Coast, it's June), I've decided to post up this tidbit on how to prepare for an eventual Hurricane. I've lived through Hurricane Katrina and Rita, those being the last two, and so I thought that if anyone from around the Gulf Coast, Atlantic coast (North/South Carolina,etc.), and Pacific coast (Hawaii or California) read this, it would help them to prepare.

First, make sure you have a plan of action. Do you need to evacuate? If so, where will you evacuate too? Is there an easier way to get to your destination with out  taking the interstate and main highways (because those roads will most likely be blocked with traffic)?

For an approaching Hurricane, always make sure that you are tuned into your local news channels and listening to the reports via internet, radio, or any other type of communication. Keep track of the Hurricane.

Prepare: Stay tuned to your local weather forecast and keep track of the approaching beast. Make sure that all of your medication is filled and packed to go. Make sure that you have a full tank of gas and if you can, have an extra gas tank on hand with you. Make sure you have enough cash to last for a couple of days (this includes: food, shelter, gas, and any other necessities). Pack a survival kit. Gather all important papers (insurance claims, social security card, policy renewal identifications, family photos or any other important items to you) and pack them away. Take pictures of your property before the storm approaches. Check all pipes in the house and the roof to make sure for no leaks. Write this all down so that when you return, if something is amiss, you'll know. Cover all windows and doors.

Survival Kit: Make sure you have one prepared for your journey. When Hurricane Rita hit where I live, I was out of my home for almost a full month. Be prepared for the worst if you have been asked to evacuate.
Make sure you have:
Prescriptions and medication; water for drinking and other necessities; canned and nonperishable food; baby food, formula, and diapers; pet food and supplies; portable cooler and ice; eating utensils; manual can opener; portable radio/flashlight/batteries; candles and matches; cellular phone, emergency numbers, and phone charger; tools, including hammer and nails; duct tape; tarps (heavy duty plastic or canvas) although a tent would be just fine; Bleach (not scented and with no additives) cleaning supplies; resealable plastic bags to waterproof valuables; bedding and sleeping bags; clothing; toiletries; insect repellent; first aid kit; camera and film; cash; valuables and important papers; full tank of gas in vehicle.

This is just a view essential items. Just make sure that you have everything you need including maps of the surrounding areas and states just in case you really need to evacuate way up north or to a different state.

Also, please make sure to know where you're family is at and how you can get in touch with them. And last but not least, the most important thing to remember is to always stay calm and not get angry. Everyone is in the same boat as you and is afraid of what awaits them after the storm.

If you have not been asked to evacuate but the storm will still hit you, just not as badly, then please stay in your home and batten down the hatches. Make sure you have emergency provisions in case the electricity goes out.