Tropical weather and the price we pay for beach living
By TessWhite
@TessWhite (3146)
United States
July 21, 2008 11:49am CST
Well I'm always so very grateful to be able to live blocks from shore. I love the beach and surf. Unfortunately everyone who lives in "Paradise" often has to pay the price with bad weather.
Right now my area is under a hurricane watch for Dolly. I'm gathering items, and getting our home ready in case we have to evacuate. The storm is expected to hit landfall as a Type 1 hurricane Wednesday. I've made motel reservations inland, and tonight I'll be stocking up on necessities just in case.
I'd appreciate all the good thoughts, positive energy and prayers you all can send for all of us in this area. I know some of my fellow myLotters are in this area too so they are probably preparing as well. I may not be on here as much the next couple of days trying to get ready. I guess this is just part of living in the tropics!
3 people like this
9 responses
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
21 Jul 08
Tess, I think you know all your myLot friends are with you all the way. I live in Miami, so I know how frightening this can be. According to the news report about 5 minutes ago, it's not doing much damage. I pray that you have none!
Why are insurers asking for 40%+ increases in our homowners' insurance rates? We haven't had hurricane damage in many years, and they found that most of the frausd was perpetrated by their own agents!
Yes, we pay a premium for our beaches, but I don't think I could survive without them!
Blessings!
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
21 Jul 08
You got out of the midwest just on time to miss the floods and tornadoes that afflict that area recently. Now let's hope you miss the hurricanes, too.
I can't imagine anyone on any coast not having hurricane insurance. The damages are devastating, and many people are unable to rebuild all they lose, even with insurance. I can't imagine what they'll do when it's all gone!
1 person likes this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
21 Jul 08
Thank you. See hurricanes are new to me. I've only been south for 3 years. In the midwest we didn't worry about such things. I am one of the lucky ones who chose to take out hurricane and flood insurance. Many say they can't afford it in my neighborhood. Since I don't wish to be homeless, I say I can't afford NOT to have it. So if it does hit, at least I'm covered.
1 person likes this
@embattledsparkle (1072)
• United States
21 Jul 08
I'll definately be thinking of you and your family. I can't image how scary it would be to have to prepare for a hurricane when the weather turns nasty.
1 person likes this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
21 Jul 08
Thank you. These storms are new to me since I haven't lived on the coast long. Such things are indeed scary to me.
1 person likes this
@tyc415 (5706)
• United States
21 Jul 08
I hear you about that TessWhite. I do wish you all the best and that all will be safe at your place. We are more at the top of the "chart" on it hitting us and are calling for some wind and rain. They do include us in the Hurricane Watch too and I feel like we won't get anything much out of Dolly if anything at all. Right now we aren't even preparing at our house. If we have to board up that will be done by my husband and son. I have been through many hurricanes and the worst was in '70, Celia, now she was a nightmare. Even though I don't think we will be getting much if anything out of Dolly I will continue to monitor since they are so unpredictable. The stores are already getting hit hard here for lumber to board up and water, batteries and food. We will not be leaving.
1 person likes this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
21 Jul 08
Wow T - can't imagine you staying. The noon news scared me. Of course if you live in a house you can probably ride out a low level hurricane. But in a mobile home, only 7 blocks from shore I don't think we could handle the winds. Wish you the best too T - I know you are under the hurricane watch too. Good luck
1 person likes this
@underdogtoo (9579)
• Philippines
22 Jul 08
Bad weather really scares me and I have had two occasions when water almost drenched my computers. That is a truly scary thing but I managed to move it away in th nick of time. The second time was even worse but I moved two computers from a place which suddenly sprung a leak. I was at the attic and something broke.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
22 Jul 08
Bad weather doesn't do much for my nerves either. Thanks for the reply.
@inia_54 (175)
• Malaysia
22 Jul 08
It must be hard on you TessWhite and the people out there. But it is good that you get the early warning. It enables you the make the necessary preparation. Hope to hear from you soon.
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
22 Jul 08
Thanks for the reply. Right now it looks like it will make landfall south of our city. But, we will still deal with high winds, surf and rain. So still watchful.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
21 Jul 08
I can't agree more Tess, it's always best to be safe than sorry. As much as I love the way mobile homes are built, I won't have one out of fear of tornatos and hurricanes can rip them to shreads much faster than a brick home. For that reason I won't have one UNLESS I have no choice. I've survived several of mother natures attacks and don't want to go through any more if I can help it. Good for you for carrying the insurance coverage that you need. By getting away this first time will give you an idea how well your home will stand in a catagory one and so next time, we hope there isn't a next time but we all know there will be and you'll know what to do then. I wish you only the BEST of luck in this time of triumph!!
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
22 Jul 08
Thanks. We've spent the day preparing and still have some packing to do - just in case. Homes would probably withstand it. I'm not so sure about the mobile home though. And if it comes, I'll not risk it and leave.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
21 Jul 08
Gee Tess, I know that getting ready everytime there is another
storm isn't fun. My mom goes through that too. She lives
in Ft. Launderdale. Pack up your stuff, close up the house,
put away anything that can be airborne, and get the family
ready to go. We will keep you in our prayers. Take care and
we will all be thinking about you! sending hugs,opal
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
22 Jul 08
Thanks Opal. Its time like these that I miss the midwest.Yes we had tornados, but you'd ride it out in the basement and it would be over in an hour. LOL With hurricanes its days that it can last and affect - much more stressful.
