Hurricane Milton Part 1
9am-11am:
After I'd completed my work, there was nothing to do but hunker down.
11:30am:
Jameson went out to siphon the pool off a bit, and our neighbors were outside doing the same.
Here are the menfolk chatting while they drain the pools, spliced image. Jameson left, Tom and Dan right.
We are lucky to have friendly, helpful, good neighbors.
12:40pm:
As they were wrapping it up, a curfew notice went out.
Jameson has been sick, plus working two jobs, and hasn't really had time to grocery shop. We have plenty of food (oats + protein powder + potable water = food for a month) but that's stuff *I* prefer to eat, not him. We decided to do one last-ditch attempt at getting some food (even though personally I have plenty, I want my sweetheart to be comfortable!)
We found out that Marco's pizza was still open, so placed an order. Then in case they couldn't complete the order I decided to venture out and see what was still open. All of the grocery stores in the area were closed except for Target, and this had resulted in the store at maximum capacity, with cops organizing people into lines to get in.
Here are the throngs of people standing miserably in the rain, waiting in line to get into Target.
Obviously I did not go in. This is why you absolutely do not wait until the last minute when a natural disaster is occuring.
Instead I popped into a Subway, but they were almost out of bread and there was a large family ahead of me. But just then Jameson texted to say we'd gotten the pizza, so I called it a success and went home.
2pm:
Back home as the pizza was cooling I had the bright idea to brew some coffee for coming days, in case there's no power. I only drink one cup each day, but without it I get a wicked caffeine headache. I also brought my thermal bag in from the garage and put it next to the fridge. If the power goes out and we end up having to throw things out, we can fill the bag with ice and ice packs and try to keep a small amount of food a little longer that way.
After that a local friend suggested putting on the E-brake in my car. I thought this was a good idea, opened the front door...and almost stepped on a big fat garter snake taking shelter on our doormat! He shot into the bushes, and I felt bad for having not checked before opening the door (ALWAYS check before opening the door in Florida, snakes and lizards and bugs and alligators could be on the porch or directly on the door.)
2pm-5pm:
Cracked open a High Moon and enjoyed that. We ate snacks, Jameson gamed and I typed and shared storm footage with my siblings. I had wanted to practice Disney music but as the wind picked up and several areas around us got tornado warnings, I felt on edge and couldn't really focus. Filled out some tour paperwork and did some doomscrolling about the storm.
5pm:
Pizza time! No issues with power so we heated our pizza and watched TV together.
We split the pumpkin spice whoopie pie that my sister sent us for dessert.
It occurred to me that I'm supposed to be giving notice at the hat shop tomorrow. Maybe I'll delay it an extra day or two.
Also, they still seem to expect everyone to be working tomorrow night. That seems rude.
7pm:
Here's what it was like outside at 7pm tonight.
Right now the storm has still not made landfall. That means it's 100+ miles away from us, and it's already this windy and rainy here. We are probably in for a long night; they're saying the eye is supposed to pass over/near us around 2am. I don't expect to get much sleep.
After I'd completed my work, there was nothing to do but hunker down.
11:30am:
Jameson went out to siphon the pool off a bit, and our neighbors were outside doing the same.
Here are the menfolk chatting while they drain the pools, spliced image. Jameson left, Tom and Dan right.
We are lucky to have friendly, helpful, good neighbors.
12:40pm:
As they were wrapping it up, a curfew notice went out.
Jameson has been sick, plus working two jobs, and hasn't really had time to grocery shop. We have plenty of food (oats + protein powder + potable water = food for a month) but that's stuff *I* prefer to eat, not him. We decided to do one last-ditch attempt at getting some food (even though personally I have plenty, I want my sweetheart to be comfortable!)
We found out that Marco's pizza was still open, so placed an order. Then in case they couldn't complete the order I decided to venture out and see what was still open. All of the grocery stores in the area were closed except for Target, and this had resulted in the store at maximum capacity, with cops organizing people into lines to get in.
Here are the throngs of people standing miserably in the rain, waiting in line to get into Target.
Obviously I did not go in. This is why you absolutely do not wait until the last minute when a natural disaster is occuring.
Instead I popped into a Subway, but they were almost out of bread and there was a large family ahead of me. But just then Jameson texted to say we'd gotten the pizza, so I called it a success and went home.
2pm:
Back home as the pizza was cooling I had the bright idea to brew some coffee for coming days, in case there's no power. I only drink one cup each day, but without it I get a wicked caffeine headache. I also brought my thermal bag in from the garage and put it next to the fridge. If the power goes out and we end up having to throw things out, we can fill the bag with ice and ice packs and try to keep a small amount of food a little longer that way.
After that a local friend suggested putting on the E-brake in my car. I thought this was a good idea, opened the front door...and almost stepped on a big fat garter snake taking shelter on our doormat! He shot into the bushes, and I felt bad for having not checked before opening the door (ALWAYS check before opening the door in Florida, snakes and lizards and bugs and alligators could be on the porch or directly on the door.)
2pm-5pm:
Cracked open a High Moon and enjoyed that. We ate snacks, Jameson gamed and I typed and shared storm footage with my siblings. I had wanted to practice Disney music but as the wind picked up and several areas around us got tornado warnings, I felt on edge and couldn't really focus. Filled out some tour paperwork and did some doomscrolling about the storm.
5pm:
Pizza time! No issues with power so we heated our pizza and watched TV together.
We split the pumpkin spice whoopie pie that my sister sent us for dessert.
It occurred to me that I'm supposed to be giving notice at the hat shop tomorrow. Maybe I'll delay it an extra day or two.
Also, they still seem to expect everyone to be working tomorrow night. That seems rude.
7pm:
Here's what it was like outside at 7pm tonight.
Click to viewRight now the storm has still not made landfall. That means it's 100+ miles away from us, and it's already this windy and rainy here. We are probably in for a long night; they're saying the eye is supposed to pass over/near us around 2am. I don't expect to get much sleep.