[lizardlady]

The season started June 1st, but we are moving into the most active part of the season now.

My heart goes out to the folks in Puerto Rico. Large parts of the island still haven't recovered from Irma two years ago. Now Dorian has them in it's sights.

I'm a survivor of the 2004 season that slammed my part of the state. FIVE storms made an X with us at the center. My home was so damaged I had to replace it.

Then there was Irma in 2017. Traveled up the center of the state wrecking havoc. I was lucky with no damage except spoiled food from power being out for days. I evacuated. It took me six hours to get home due to power outages and debris in the roads. The drive normally takes three hours. My oh so generous employer ordered us back to work the day after the storm. I contacted my boss and told him a) I was still evacuated and b) I didn't know if I had a home to return to. Luckily, he's a good guy. Told me to do what I needed to do and come to work when I could.

I'm not sure why I'm posting this. I guess because I have the willie's about Dorian. It's far enough away that they don't even know if it will make landfall in Florida, but if it does it will likely be a Cat 3 storm. That's a pretty significant storm.

I prep at the start of the season. Went by the store today to add some staples to the food supplies. Store was already getting low on water. I have a place I can go if I need to evacuate. I'm taking Friday off for a long holiday weekend. Will probably use it to batten things down around the property. I'm ready in a practical sense. Emotionally I'm on edge and nervous.

Please keep those in the path of the storm in your thoughts.

[happysobercrafter]

I hear you on the anxiety!!

I live in Tornado Alley and natural disasters make me want to throw up, honestly. The dread of not knowing what will happen or if it will, how bad will it be, is horrid to go through.

You are in my prayers, Liz, as is everyone in the path of this storm. xoxoxoxox

[lizardlady]

Latest prediction is that it's going to cross the center of the state. I have a bad feeling about this one. Am starting to make plans to possibly evacuate.
Please keep us in your thoughts.

[possum220]

Is it possible to get together with people you know? It's sometimes easier to be with others at times like these. You and your furbabies are in my thoughts.

[Taylor27]

Everyone is in my thoughts and prayers, I hope it isn't going to be as bad as they predict. Hugs to everyone and there fur babies

[happysobercrafter]

Liz, how are you doing today?

[Travelinglady]

liz, thinking about you! Keep safe!

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by HappyCrafter

Liz, how are you doing today?

I am about two steps shy of freaking out. This one is scaring me. I was just talking to a friend who said people need to stop freaking out. That it's gonna come, do it's thing and blow out into the gulf. She says the east coast will see damage, but the storm will blow itself out by the time it gets to our side of the state. Maybe, maybe not. I didn't tell her I'm one of the people freaking out. Not after what she said about others.

I'm using positive self talk. I have my supplies in the house. Tomorrow I'll gather it all in one place. I'll also police the property tomorrow, picking up anything that can blow around. I'm prepared. I'm doing what I need to to stay safe. I'll evacuate if I need to. Still I'm scared silly.

[Nammu]

Sending good vibes that it exhaustes itself before it gets to you. Sure it's all fine and good to tell people not to freak out but I bet she's got qualms.

[possum220]

Sometimes I get mad at the weather people. They seem to dramatize everything and have me cowering. More often than not it turns out to be a non event.
Have to say I was beside myself with the Y2K thing in 2000. I had supplies stacked up and had the bath tub filled with water.

Truth is you can only prepare as much as you can. Things may or may not happen. You are in my thoughts.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by possum220

Is it possible to get together with people you know? It's sometimes easier to be with others at times like these. You and your furbabies are in my thoughts.

It's hard to get with other people with the number of critters I have. Plus when I'm this stressed I'd rather be by myself. I tend to get cranky when stressed. It's exhausting being nice when what really want to do is rip their head off.

[*Beth*]

I cannot agree with the person who told you that people need to stop freaking out. Especially for those of us with a number of pets, nature's disasters can be justifiably terrifying. We had the massive wildfires here last year and, let me tell you, whenever I smell smoke I cannot help but going into a degree of panic mode.


Anyway. I'm sending anti-hurricane vibes. Let's all focus on causing the current hurricane threat to reduce in its power.

[happysobercrafter]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I cannot agree with the person who told you that people need to stop freaking out. Especially for those of us with a number of pets, nature's disasters can be justifiably terrifying. We had the massive wildfires here last year and, let me tell you, whenever I smell smoke I cannot help but going into a degree of panic mode.


Anyway. I'm sending anti-hurricane vibes. Let's all focus on causing the current hurricane threat to reduce in its power.

@BethRags

I'm with you on focusing on it to lose its power! And that everyone's needs are met no matter how it turns out. I am trying to cover all the bases as best I can.

[TunedOut]

I will be praying for you and all the other people (there are many PC members who will likely be affected ) in the storm's path. Hugs.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by BethRags

Anyway. I'm sending anti-hurricane vibes. Let's all focus on causing the current hurricane threat to reduce in its power.

A friend suggested we all save up burbs and farts then direct them at the storm to push it out into the Atlantic. Some humor to help handle the stress.

[happysobercrafter]

Let me know if you need any extra; I am happy to add mine too!!

[lizardlady]

I'm a bit calmer tonight. Being so stressed burns tons of energy. I can't maintain it. It also helps that I spent today being physically active. That's a big stress reliever for me.

I was down to half a tank of gas this morning. That's nowhere near enough if I need to evacuate. I finally found gas at the FIFTH station I went to. Filled the tank and a couple of gas cans.
Tomorrow will be the day to police the property. That'll be a major job. Then it's sit back a wait. The latest forecast is that it won't make it to my area until Tuesday or Wednesday. I'm a readaholic. I got the latest book by my favorite author yesterday. Picked up a stack of books at the library today. I'm going to have a readfest!

[happysobercrafter]

I am so glad to hear this!! I am glad you found gas for your car and books! Who is your fav author?

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

.... I got the latest book by my favorite author yesterday. Picked up a stack of books at the library today. I'm going to have a readfest!

What an excellent idea!

[Nammu]

Super idea, reading. Usually helps me. Glad you thought of that.

[TunedOut]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

A friend suggested we all save up burbs and farts then direct them at the storm to push it out into the Atlantic. Some humor to help handle the stress.

Your friend's suggestion may be working! More of the models are saying the eyewall might stay totally offshore!!! Let's keep using our burbs, farts, prayers, esp, etc. and envision it moving into the Atlantic and missing everyone.

Originally Posted by possum220

Sometimes I get mad at the weather people. They seem to dramatize everything and have me cowering. More often than not it turns out to be a non event.

I definitely agree with this. I live too far north to have a serious hurricane but every year we have blizzards. I cannot tell you how many times they put me in a stupor and then it all came to nothing. I have even noticed that weather forecasts are inaccurate now and I suspect they are *sorry* lying to get ratings.

That actually happened one time. We had a storm that was forecast for major power outages and then at 8 AM they got a new map that showed it taking a turn. The weather channel did not update their materials until 12 AM the next day, after all news programs had gotten one more day of high ratings and the storm was on top of us.

It is depressing that you can't trust the weather anymore.

[lizardlady]

I pick and choose which weather reports I watch. I agree some reporters try to create a lot of drama. I watch the ones that just report what's going on.

With the shift to the east I'm going to hold off on moving things in the yard. I have a huge number of potted plants outside. I don't want to have to move them if I don't have to.

Emotionally I've settled into wait and see. Like I said in another post, I can only stay that jacked up for so long before it burns itself out. I'm as prepared as I can get. All I can do now is sit back and wait.

[lizardlady]

Dorian now a Cat 5 with sustained winds of 180mph. That means it's a beast! Tropical storm warning just went into effect for the counties to my east. Am very close to the county line so stressed bumped up again.

My heart goes out to the people in the Bahamas. Cat 5 storm crawling across the islands. Area is gonna be hammered.

[lizardlady]

Sustained winds now 185. I wonder how much will be left of the Bahamas when this beast passes?