Hurricane Matthew Update
Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know everything is okay with us. We were spared the brunt of Hurricane Matthew and my heart goes out to all those up the Florida coast, Georgia, and the Carolina’s where Matthew did the bulk of his damage here in the U.S.
If you’ve never been through a potential hurricane, it’s a surreal situation. Hurricane coverage is on 24/7 for days on end on nearly every television channel, cars are lined up bumper-to-bumper for gas, there is a constant faint noise of hammering in the background as people rush to put up shutters, grocery shelves are nearly bare as people stock up on food and water, and your phone is bombarded with texts from people worrying about you. I know it might seem weird to say, but it’s almost like a holiday – there is a certain common buzz in the air and all people talk about is what could happen, and what did happen if you’ve been through hurricanes in years past.
This was Publix the night before Matthew was to arrive. Dan and I went shopping for some last minute stuff (i.e., wine) and this was the bread aisle.
I was let go early from work on Wednesday to prepare – things like filling the bathtub with water, picking up yard ornaments and potted plants, preparing an emergency supply box with batteries, candles, first aid items, canned goods, and more had to be done. We don’t have hurricane shutters, but the company Dan works for was kind enough to provide plywood for families in need, so we were able to cover up some of our key windows.
And of course, making sure our cats would be safe was of highest priority. We got the cat carriers ready, stocked up on food and litter, and made sure we had a safe room to go to when the wind started to pick up. I was extremely concerned as to how they would react while Dan and I were getting things ready, but honestly, they were so excited to see all the new comings and goings in the house, that they actually enjoyed the hustle and bustle and there was a lot of excited sniffing and exploring going on from them.
I woke up Thursday with a feeling of dread and impending doom. Having personally been through several hurricanes, many of them quite devastating, I don’t take anything lightly and I felt as if my heart was going to burst with the fear of the unknown. My life could literally change in the blink of an eye later on in the day and the suspense was palpable. The cats, again, were quite pleased. Unless I’m sick, I don’t ever sit on the couch in the morning, let alone the afternoon and I was glued to the coverage on TV from the moment I woke up.
This pretty much sums up my life on Thursday waiting for Hurricane Matthew to arrive. I took this picture from my cell phone (even thought I should have been conserving battery power). Mia and Zoey were on my legs, Jazmine at my side.
With most of the windows covered, the house had a cozy feel to it and they were thrilled to snuggle on the couch with Dan and me as we watched the never-ending coverage. And then it happened – between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. it became abundantly clear rather than heading straight for us, Matthew was heading further north and was going to spare us for the most part. Nerves, fatigue, call it what you like but even after that I couldn’t move from the couch. I think I was in shock and disbelief that Matthew was going to bypass us.
We did get wind and rain and our yard was a mess and several people lost power, but I’ll take that any day. And, of course, lots of people grumbled that we prepared for no reason. I’m not one of those people. It’s far better to be safe than sorry when it comes to life. And trust me, as I’ve gotten older, I truly know what’s important. Never once did I worry about losing the “things” in my house. Dan, the cats, that was all I cared about. And my family and friends who live here, them too I worried about. Nothing else mattered.
Yup…Jazmine sure is one concerned kitty…Sigh…but thank goodness we are safe and sound!
Thank you again for all of you who worried about me – we’re just fine and I pray every one else will be okay too.
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Oh, Jazmine … that gorgeous belly! We’re so glad you and family are safe. As scary as it was in the run up, we’re glad it turned into a relaxing day with the kitties 🙂
I’m so glad you’re all safe. And it’s a testament to how well you’ve “raised” your kitties that they handled all the commotion so well.
So happy that you, Dan, and the sweet babies are safe and sound! ❤ ?
Glad your safe.
Glad you were spared the bulk of the storm, thank COD!! My dear friend in N.Carolina (who is inland), got hit BAD…..the road by her home was washed away and her yard is totally flooded. She has no power too 🙁
So happy that you bit the bullet as we did. We were without power for almost two days, and that was awful. The cats were very unhappy about the heat and humidity but they took it in stride. We were even able to hydrate Sir Hubble Pinkerton when it was time and he was just a sweetheart- I think he knew that we were all stressed out and he just was purrfectly behaved even though the fluid could not be warmed to body temp.
We pray for all the folks who weren’t so lucky and all the animals who suffered through this storm. It was one of the most frigtening things to be facing a cat 4 – but we were blessed.
Thanks for the update Deb:) headbonks to you, Dan and the furry ones.
I sure am glad all is okay in your neck of the woods.
Not sure Jazmine was going to survive the stress 🙂 Glad you are all safe.
We’re so happy that you are all safe. It’s funny that your cats were as cool as cucumbers and actually enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the hurricane preparation. For all you know, they were trying to calm you! We pray for those less fortunate who were badly affected by this. Have a super Sunday, wth love from the Chirpy Cats crew! ❤️?
We are so glad you’re all safe. It must have been terrifying.
Purrs xx
Athena and Marie
I am glad you are safe and I agree it is better to be safe and prepared than sorry.
Very glad you are okay. We live on the Florida west coast, in Clearwater. We just got a little wind and rain but they still felt the need to close all the schools.
I’m so glad you guys were spared the brunt of the storm. I can relate to all of your feelings. A few years ago when Sandy hit my area, I was a bundle of nerves. I had everything packed up for the cats (and a toothbrush for myself) and was ready to go if I had to. I was glued to the TV, and went on panic mode when I saw the main boulevard three miles from me was under water. I was one of the lucky ones and had absolutely nothing happen, save for a few downed tree branches on my street.
Big Cat Rescue in Tampa is safe and sound, and Cedarhill Animal Sanctuary in MS is not in the danger zone. I am grateful for this, and for your safety as well. And though of course the battery is important, those are some stellar pix! 🙂
We’re so glad that the storm wasn’t bad for you. You’re right…better to be prepared thank to not be and be sorry.
We are so happy you are okay. I did catch something to that effect either on Twitter or facebook and was extremely thankful for the news. You are wise to prepare – mother nature always wins in the end. This is great news, and it was interesting to read how you prepared. I lived in Melbourne for a year a hundred years ago. We never had a hurricane that year. At the time I never gave it a thought as I don’t even think I had a TV. It has to be a frightening experience.
I am glad you are all safe and sound, and that the worst of the hurricane bypassed you.
Thank goodness you’re safe, dear friends. Love you!
Glad to hear you were spared the worst of the storm. Your preparations sound similar to what we do for a big blizzard. We have tornadoes too but you can’t really prepare for them very much 🙂
Pawsome News !
I’m so glad you and your fameowly are safe & sound.
=^x^=