Things to ponder - and for which to give thanks
Oh boy. Lights, water, a refrigerator -- These are wonderful things and as of Thursday, Ol' B2 has been using them with reckless abandon. Why? Quite simply, because I can.
More than 98 percent of Little Martin lost power when Hurricane Wilma was pounding us and little by little, power is being restored to neighborhoods scattered across the jurisdiction. As of this morning, approximately 50 percent of the county is still without power.
Thankful amid distress
This is the third time in four hurricanes where I lost power for several days, and each time I had to empty out the freezer and refrigerator -- an expensive endeavor. I know you're thinking portable generator right about now, but we've already had seven houses burn down due to generators so no thank you. And mind you, if you use well water there is also no bathing, clothes washing, or toilets. So you smell, wear dirty clothing, and do your business outside. I don't even want to get into the emotional aspects.
Let me state right now that this article is predicated upon the fact that your dwelling is habitable and secure. Unfortunately, many of my neighbors have once again experienced considerable damage to their homes, and the last thing they are worrying about is cleaning out the freezer. I have opened my house to them so they may use the bathroom facilities, wash clothes, or simply have a place to sit down and rest.
Preparation is key
Things are looking up now, but so many people once again did not heed our repeated warnings to stock up on critical items to last for five to seven days. Here are just a few of the issues unprepared residents have to face the first 72 hours after the storm exits the area:
If you didn't stock up on potable water and non-perishable food before the storm, good luck finding it. All of the stores are closed as well because there is no power, even those that are not damaged or destroyed, and all of their goods are spoiled as well. Gas stations? Forget it -- no power. Need cash to buy anything? No banks are open and ATMs are without power as well. Need to refill a prescription? Hah. When grocery stores and gas stations do open, they will only have limited supplies and will ration sales.
"... scars will be everywhere; My beautiful county will be a little bit uglier, and its residents a little bit wearier ..."
Then there are those little things that are not life-sustaining but with which we are comfortable. Cable television, the Internet, coffee makers, toasters, etc. Kiss them all goodbye. How about those of you with children? You have to return to work but your children must remain home because the schools are closed. How are you fixed for building supplies or critical repair goods?
Getting on with it
Those living in rural areas have a bit more leeway than metropolitan dwellers to work out solutions for some of these issues, but the challenges are still considerable nonetheless. And remember, I haven't even touched upon outside damage such as sheds and barns destroyed, animals to tend, animals to bury, fences gone, patio roofs and screen enclosures peeled away, trees down, and every sort of debris imaginable that must be cleaned up and hauled away. A friend of mine still has two huge traffic signal lights in his back yard.
I know from experience that it will take anywhere from four to six months before life begin its return to normalcy here in Little Martin. But the scars will be everywhere, my little county will be just a little bit uglier, and its residents a little bit wearier.
But today I have power and I am so very thankful.