I love to write. I didn’t come to writing from anything I learned in “J” school, where I never went, but rather in the school of hard knocks, working in business in New York City. Funny thing about writing, when I look back at the words I put on paper, my reaction is, “Who wrote that?” Sometimes writing is like an out-of-body experience; you know you wrote it but have no memory of doing it.
When I wrote last year’s hurricane column, we were experiencing a down real estate market and the idea of the hurricane season approaching wasn’t making that fact any easier to accept. Based on the April sales statistics in last week’s column, we’re still in a slow market, which may be a serious understatement. It’s been a challenging year for real estate, and we won’t know what happens next until we get into the fall and the buyers and sellers have had a year to forget and relax.
Since real estate sales is such a vital component to the economy as a whole, everyone is holding their breath waiting to see what storms we may be looking at. I have decided not to read any of the predictions and close my eyes and ears every time I hear the Colorado State University forecast as my personal self-preservation tactic. That’s not to say when one gets close, we don’t still all need to prepare.
After last year, if you live on the Island and along the coast, have your evacuation plan in place. Food, medications, first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, radios, cash and some clothing. I remember last year there was a chance the water supply may not be available a few days after the storm so store some drinking water and water for flushing and washing. Last year for the first time, I took my homeowner’s and auto insurance policies when I evacuated and actually looked at them the day after the storm. I’m guessing this year generators will be a hot item to purchase, so if you’re planning on getting one, do it now.
When you leave, secure your property – lock everything tight – because last year, there was so much damage residents couldn’t get home and there were reports of vandals. Get out or roll down your window and door protections and put away any outdoor furniture or plants that can become airborne. Turn off utilities, particularly gas, and don’t leave your refrigerator and freezer with any raw meat that could damage your refrigerator if power is off for several days.
Manatee County’s website has extensive information and guidance for after the storm. And remember that the FEMA value of your property now appears on county records along with tons of information going forward if you have damage.
Hurricane Helene was Sept. 24, 2024 and Hurricane Milton was Oct. 5, 2024. These were historic events that we pray won’t repeat themselves. Whatever the predictions are, don’t tell me the stress of anticipation is almost as bad as the actual storm. Florida is a big state, so storms have a very long coastline to choose from when striking.
I’m sure when I reread this column next year, I again won’t believe I wrote these words. If I can stick to my not listening to predictions vow, it will be a miracle.
