In case you hadn't heard, the hurricane season did not end with Irma and Jose. In fact, Jose is still alive, but that's another tale. The West Indies, battered by Irma, with islands like St Maarten, the Turks and Caicos, and Barbuda coming uncomfortably close to being wiped off the map by the storm, is in the crosshairs yet again, with Maria, a storm that went to a Cat 4 during the day (and we are awaiting a recon flight that may well call it a five) aiming a bit lower, looking to nail Dominica head-on, dealing damage to Guadeloupe just north, and with a track that will bring little comfort to a Puerto Rican populace who are still saying, "That was a GLANCING blow?" about Irma.
We have done a good job pitching in, donating and volunteering to help Texas (which is still underwater in some places from Harvey) and Florida. But keep in mind: We have resources. We have insurance. We have a vast hinterland in which to marshall supplies and house the temporarily displaced. Places like Barbuda and St Maarten have had 90-95 % of buildings destroyed, communications cut, ports destroyed.
And next up is Dominica, an island nation where most buildings were designed, when rebuilt after the last 'cane, to handle up to Cat 1 winds- and are about to face winds that may double that strength. I discovered a link to local radio station Kairi FM, and have been listening to the hosts taking calls, including one from the Prime Minister- who was telling people to PLEASE stay indoors (I would think the trick would be keeping the doors around you)...
And in between, playing praise and worship music.
The hosts have been begging people to take shelter "as best you can". Against a storm whose eye- an eye so tight it's being called a pinhole- is half the size of the whole island, a storm whose furthest bands are brushing the South American coast- shelter is a relative thing.
So far, the Prime Minister says he has heard of nothing life threatening happening yet. And the one host put it the best way possible: "...but, I think, God is good..."
We've been on our knees a lot lately over these storms. Please don't hesitate to do so one more time...
Chris:
ReplyDelete---Anyone whose heart DOESN'T become "heavy" over this ongoing plethora of tragic events of nature has no soul...simple as that.
---I agree that every knee bent in prayer helps (as does a bit of supplication).
Makes me wonder how much MORE could be accomplished to aid these victims...IF all the "protesters" across our nation would (instead) devote THEIR time to more "eternal pursuits"...
Very good post.
Stay safe (and keep cool) up there, brother.
I wouldn't want to judge them at this point. They, too, shouldn't let the right hand know what the left is doing. But it would be nice to see people concentrated on something good for a change.
DeleteI'm praying, trust me. My heart breaks for them. May God protect them all.
ReplyDeleteI know you made it okay down there, did you have any big problems where you were?
DeleteMy wife and I have been watching these hurricanes closely since we have family in the zones. Maria especially caught my attention since that's the name of one of my wife's sisters.
ReplyDeleteI just don't want to hear any nonsense about the hurricanes being the result of man-made climate change. Besides shouldn't women be blamed too.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Yeah I get a lot of the climate change crap on the WU blog. Where was the effect the 12 years since Katrina and her merry band?
DeleteThe season doesn't end until November so I do hope and pray it passes quickly and with minimal damage the remaining time.
ReplyDeleteOne weather guy said October might have four more named storms, and maybe two majors...
DeleteSo many storms so much destruction so much suffering by so many and so many can do nothing but pray
ReplyDeleteThere is an unfortunately vocal minority who like to inhabit boards and hashtags that would bash you for praying. They don't realize it is the greatest thing we can do.
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ReplyDeleteYou know from reading my book how much I believe in the power of prayer. It works! I have felt my deepest connections to myself and to God after I've prayed. I've also felt an inner peace like never before after I've prayed. God is listening. I have no doubt.
ReplyDeleteWe are keeping a close eye on Maria. We were hit by Matthew last year. We lost electricity for about 36 hours, but it was the flooding that was the worst part. We were trapped in our neighborhood for days. We were blessed to have no real damage, but our neighbors weren't so lucky. Several neighbors across the street had two feet throughout their entire homes. I still don't understand how we didn't get water into our home. It lapped against our front door as people in trucks drove through and caused wakes. We shoved towels against the front door to stop the water from coming in.
Elsie