The International Writers Magazine: Two Florida Hurricanes
and Ivan still to come
Enchantress
in the Wind.
Michael Levy will not evacuate...
As
I tap the keys on my computer keyboard the ferocious winds outside
my beach front condo are howling and rattling the storm shutters.
It seems to be saying 'huff and puff and I'll try to blow your condo
down. Or, perhaps it is saying, 'Feel my power and respect it?'
You know, I like the second voice far more than the first one.
|
|
You might well ask
what are you doing staying in a beach evacuation area, on a barrier
island, in the middle of a hurricane named Frances? (With Ivan on it's
way.) Some subjective folks could possibly answer... 'Where there is
no sense, there is no feeling.' However, the simple answer is,
it is for me, a once in a lifetime experience and one that I would not
have wanted to miss.
Proceeding at just 5 mph, this probably will be known as the slowest
moving, most widespread hurricane in the history of Florida hurricanes.
With wind gusts up to 105 miles per hour the enchantress who is guiding
the storm is in no hurry to move on. It is moving over a three hundred
mile coastal front. South, Central and Northern Florida are all experiencing
the effects of the power of hurricane Frances. It started on Friday
afternoon with outer bands of 40 mph wind and heavy rain. Followed by
an evening of periods of calm and heavy showers. Just a prelude to the
orchestration that was about to begin on Saturday morning. And boy,
did it begin. It is now Saturday afternoon and the powerful winds keep
trying to command my attention.
All local TV stations have been giving 24 hour coverage since Thursday
morning, hyping up the fear and anxiety. Continually pounding viewers
with all the terrible things that could occur. I think people already
know what damage can be done without being brainwashed continually on
every station. To be fair, the metrologists do a super job in tracking
the storm and locating its land fall, but all the rest of the hype is
magnifying unnecessary stress.
|
How
much better it would be if they showed tension easing meditation
classes, stress reducing programs and pacifying, soothing music
to help people relax and enjoy whatever nature brings. We're going
to experience a hurricane regardless. Accordingly, as long as we
have battened down the hatches, if we can have a choice to enjoy
the storm or fear it, I think most folks would want to choose enjoyment.
|
Everyone will have
many diverse experiences in their lives and the way they are envisaged
will be recorded in their memory banks as a good or bad experience.
With the correct mind set, the optimum positiveness can always be established
from the most detrimental, negative events.
Today, the TV crews are on the beach from Miami up to Melbourne relating
what it feels like to be standing on the beach in the winds of the fierce
hurricane. I feel sorry for the crews who have been told to go out to
report from dangerous places. How uncaring are the media chiefs in their
hunt for sensationalism? In contrast, all the emergency services and
Red Cross do a most super job in helping people to find safe shelters
and assisting them overcome anxiety and fears. The emergency folks (police,
fireman, ambulance staff, etc.) do go out, whenever possible, in extreme
storm conditions, to calls for aid and assistance. Kudos to all. The
police also deserve praise for preventing looters and other unsavory
creatures who try to take advantage of other peoples misfortunes
|
There
are always amusing stories to be told, relating to the media coverage.
Last night (Friday) two TV stations were reporting from the same
spot, A1A and Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach. One reporter
claimed the police are strictly enforcing a 10 PM curfew and everyone
was obeying it. I then clicked over to the other channel and another
reporter stated, although there is a curfew in place, the police
are not enforcing it and the Irish pub across the road has a lots
of people inside enjoying drinks and meals. Just one of the many
contrasting reports that made little sense, but when you have a
storm that is set to last for over 48 hours, you have to find something
to rattle on about. |
In my eighth floor
condo, that has an east and west vista, I look out towards the ocean.
It is only a hundred feet away from the edge of our development, (maybe
not even that far). I watch huge waves bouncing into the air and crashing
down with an almighty roar. The ocean waves are putting on a show of
strength that I have never seen before. I am in awe of the magnificent
beauty of its rollicking and heaving movements. Tossing and turning
super wave energies, magnetically electrified with super potency and
strength. It seems there is some greater power that is holding back
the tide and stopping it from engulfing the whole development. I can
understand why the ancient Greeks believed in so many gods with unique
powers. I am thankful to the mythical water god for putting on such
a splendid show. However I must say, I am extraordinarily grateful to
the wind enchantress that is holding back the waves.
As I look to the West I can see a deserted road. On the A1A, I observe
an empty boarded up shopping mall. Wind and rain lashes over a car park,
as palm trees cavort an excruciating dance for survival. I see many
empty houses and condos all boarded up. It has a very eerie sense to
it, with the atmosphere of a ghost town. Even the birds have flown to
safety, having the sense to take shelter in some nook or cranny.
I live in a holiday town that is accustomed to lots of traffic and people
laughing as they cross the road with beach chairs in their hands. They
go to lay in the sunshine and enjoy bathing in the calm Atlantic ocean.
But not today, for this day belongs to hurricane Frances. I suppose
this could conceivably be my last day on earth, if that normally smooth
ocean decides it wants to take over my space with a tidal, storm surge
wave. The major part of the hurricane has not yet hit (due in eight
hours, around 1 am) so, I should be feeling anxiety, panic and trepidation.
Instead, I cannot get beyond my joyful feelings of being privileged
in having a grandstand seats to the most spectacular show of natures
power I am ever going to witness first hand.
I retire to bed at ten-thirty, the cable TV is down, so no more local
channel nonsense. Tomorrow I can tune into the radio and get weather
updates from people who only want to report essential news. Sunday morning
arrives and there is a lull in the storm. The eye of the hurricane made
land fall about ninety miles up north. Because of the size of Frances
we can still expect a full day of storms once the slow moving eye heads
more inland towards the Florida Panhandle. I try to go online but find
my telephone line has gone down. But I am thankful I still have electricity.
Perhaps because most folks evacuated this area, the demand is very light
or maybe we are just lucky at the moment. Over two million homes are
without electricity.
Well, morning has passed with minor turbulence, so I guess the worst
is over and we can expect an afternoon of more strong winds, heavy rain
and some local flooding in low lying areas. Thankfully, the life
threatening tidal storm surge has been put off for another day, another
time. I am thankful to the universal powers that control the tides?
One other thing about Frances, she is a very quite storm, for there
was not one clap of thunder, nor one streak of lightening as far as
I am aware. She went about her natures business in a very dignified,
leisurely manner.
Perhaps I have been hypnotized by the lady enchantresses magnetic awesome
power? And perhaps I do have a few slates loose in my exploratory mind?
But, I would not have missed this experience for all the money in the
world. I think most folks in Florida now realize it is nature that controls
mother earth, not humans. I take my hat off and gently bow my head in
respect to the powerful lady Frances, who sure knows how to kick up
one phenomenal storm.
Authors note;
I do not recommend anyone follow my example and stay near the beach
during a hurricane. I did take a gamble and it was not an intelligent
thing to do.....This was a one off experience. I guess that is why some
folks climb mountains. You can be assured, I have great respect for
the power of nature and will seek a safer haven from any future hurricanes.
But, that said, I did enjoy every moment of being embraced by one of
mother natures most powerful productions. I think I'm ready for a nice
cup of tea.
© MICHAEL LEVY. September 15th 2004
Michael levy was born in Manchester, England on the 6th March 1945.
After many life experiences and a successful business career he retired
to Florida in 1992.
In 1998 Michael established Point of Life, Inc., as a vehicle to project
his philosophy and spiritual understanding. The website www.pointoflife.com
and the associated newsletter (Point Of Life Global Newsletter) are
visited and read by thousands of people around the world every month.
http://www.pointoflife.com
Previous Miami Hurricanes:
Irene: Why is Florida always surprised?
FLORIDA
HURRICANES
Sam North
Home
©
Hackwriters 2000-2004
all rights reserved