Hurricane Fiona that stayed active all the way to our cabins was the most personal. Hurricane Ian, was stronger, did more damage and received significant media attention in the US. In regard to each, it is wise to re-emphasize that history does not begin with one’s birth/memory. Nor, that every recent weather event deserves to be a basis of political points. Standing in or walking over the rumble of other peoples lives always seems a good time to advocate legislation, agendas or theories if one is a souless politician. Real heros of course come to the aid of the afflicted.
My first memory of a hurricane was in 1954. Hurricane Hazel. Perhaps it stuck in my mind because a few years later a Milwaukee Braves player who was on a hot hitting streak became known as Hurricane (Bob) Hazle. Plus, there was TV coverage in 1954. Plus, there was plenty of weather talk before that year in my opinion. At times it seemed that the weather was the only topic of conversation for adults. Rain or no rain? Snow and how deep? The Blizzard of 1948 stories. Rivers flooding across the plains. So much weather talk. How boring. And, of course, there was someone’s old aunt who could forecast wind speed or dew point or some such from her knee pain. Yikes! Yet, none bragged that they had the power to change the weather. That’s a new phenomenon. In olden days most still reserved that feat for God or Mother Nature.
Bad storms have arisen for a long time. Don’t trust Papa. Look it up. Deadliest huriccane: 1900. Strongest in 1935. While at it, look up record high temperatures for major US cities. I’d bet there were a few scorchers in the 1930’s (Think Dust Bowl) as well as before your birth. Bad things can happen in monster storms. As they did in the past. Now of course, Florida for example, has a big population in the millions. Lots of buildings built near the coast. In a state that was once derided by sioldiers as a big swamp in the 1800’s. Florida’s population may not have been one million souls in 1900. After draining and building the people came in droves. However, population explosion doesn’t change the weather. Just gave it a bigger target to damage.
Two big items to consider today. Not enough rain locally has everyone talking about that aspect of the weather. It’s not just a huge topic; its a big worry for the locals. They cannot stand an extended summer of sun. The buzz is that we could become like California. Secondly, elections are almost here. Papa must start reading the position statements of the candidates. I have to figure out who can step forward and make the skies rain. But, it has to be clean rain.