Hurricanes

Let me tell you, I know from hurricanes. When Floyd was supposed to hit here I went to my week at the beach on North Carolina's Outer Banks. Floyd, being a boy, decided to follow me. We were evacuated and I ended up driving through the hurricane in a Mazda Miata with a sleeping schnauzer by my side. If you have never seen I95 with no other drivers on it or no lights at any of the exit ramps, good for you. I had gassed up at South of the Border before the curfew and was running very low by the time I reached Georgia (after driving through the eye). There was no gas at the first three exits. I wanted to kiss the guy at exit four who had gas for me to get home.

Then last year we had three storms blow through, including Charlie. Middle of August and no power for four days in Central Florida. If you have to take a cold shower, wet your head first and then the rest of yourself. It works really well.

So now I consider myself prepared. I have a gas grill with a side burner (coffee!), an extra tank of propane, canned goods, water, a battery operated television, a battery operated radio, flashlights, lots of extra batteries, an oil lamp, baby wipes (what if there's no water?), instant coffee, instant creamer. I'm ready.

But what if the storm had flooded my house and taken all my preparations with it? Store it in the attic? And when the roof blows off what happens?

I know how fortunate I am, I own a car and can (barely) afford gas to put in it, when it's available.

The people of New Orleans could have been as prepared as I but once the flood hit nothing mattered. All of your preparations are washed away. Anyone who wants to blame the victims - eat shit.

I cannot imagine living through the situation in New Orleans. Count your blessings and send your dollars to help the people of the Gulf Coast. Don't forget the SPCA. Mr. Sleeping Schnauzer thanks you for that.