you’ve seen the storm has shifted and high winds on the Outer Banks are not as much of a concern as flooding is.
When I saw that the storm was changing directions, I felt a little selfish for being thankful, knowing that there would be other people and other homes in its path. My heart is with those who will be experiencing more of the brunt of this storm because I know from experience the anxiety and stress it creates waiting for it to arrive and not knowing what the outcome will be.
I had called her Monday to see if she wanted to go to Charlotte with us but she was supposed to start a new job on Wednesday and none of her classes had been cancelled so she said she should probably stay put.
After Steve and I hit the road Tuesday morning, Sarah called. I could hear the stress in her voice when she told me that Regent had just cancelled classes for the week and was evacuating the campus due to “severe winds, possible flooding due to prolonged rains, and power outages on campus.” Even though their area was not under mandatory evacuation orders, they said they preferred to err on the side of caution.
All the students who were able were asked to leave by Wednesday afternoon. Sarah does have a car and technically she could have driven herself to Charlotte, but it was five hours away and we didn’t know if the roads would be crazy busy with evacuation traffic and she has never driven more than a couple of hours by herself. That would be an especially big challenge when she was already stressed.
A roommate of hers and some friends were driving to Delaware (about 4 hours) to stay with family and invited her along. She considered doing that for a while but then finally opted for Plan C which was to move her necessary belongings over to the Founder’s Inn right next to the University. (The chancellor of the university, Pat Robertson, is also president of CBN which owns the hotel.)
Two ballrooms have been set aside–one for the twenty girls and one for the ten guys. So that’s where Sarah will be hanging out at least until tomorrow.
She just texted that the students are also allowed to wander about the lobby and other sitting areas so it’s nice that they aren’t confined to just one space. It will be an adventure that she will remember awhile. Even though the effects to the VA Beach area are looking less and less severe, Sarah is in an apartment building where flooding happens easily. I appreciate the university making provision for the students who remained behind.
for the first time since we moved to the Outer Banks (nine years ago this month) Steve put up a few boards on our front window and back sliding door. At the time he was doing it, we were expecting Cat 4 winds.
We also finally bought a generator; we figured living by the ocean we will need it sooner or later. A day’s outage doesn’t bother me but the thought of being without electricity for many days or even weeks is not a happy thought.
As we were getting packed, Summer assisted by lying on the unfolded laundry. I actually kind of envied her in her dogdom; she had no idea what was coming and certainly had no worries in her life.
When we pulled out, I paused for a moment to take a picture of the house we love so much.
Steve was pulling out behind me; he dropped his car off at the church since we have a lot of trees.
As we left the Outer Banks Tuesday morning,the sky and water were as peaceful as could be. No sign of any smidgen of a storm.
We were so thankful that Steve’s parents had a place for us to evacuate to, especially when so many people are having to pay for a hotel room.
We were a bit concerned about having Summer in the same house as Tippi, Ken and Vernie’s dog. So far, the dogs have done okay; only snapping at each other if one gets too close to the personal space of the other.
This little scenario ended up in a snapping contest but it was over in a matter of seconds and all was well.
When Tippi went back inside, I took Summer off her leash and let her wander at will. She acted like a miniature Magellan, out to explore the world. It was quite the adventure for our little lady to be leash-less in a new place.
I was coming up the driveway with her when a strange guy walked across the grass toward me and said, “Hi. I’m here to cut the lawn. Is everything okay?”
It was such an inexplicable question that I stared dumbly at him for a few seconds. Why would this guy tell me he’s going to cut the grass and then follow it up with such a worried query?
The light finally dawned when he explained that whenever he and his boss came to cut the grass, there were never any cars out front. They knew that Ken has been having heart issues and when they saw an unfamiliar car on the grass and Ken and Vernie’s car in the driveway, they assumed the worst had happened. They were both concerned about starting up lawn mowers at a time like that.
I was really impressed by the way they genuinely seemed to care about Ken and Vernie. Steve was about to leave with his parents for a doctor appointment and the two fellas were up on the porch seeing what they could do to help.
I was so touched by meeting these two workmen who were so compassionate. I couldn’t help but think, “Those two fellas must have had really good mamas!”
And so ends post three of Hurricane Week. I’ll keep you in touch as we find out more of what’s happening on the Outer Banks.
Oh, and I did want to mention that I rescheduled my chest C.T. for next Thursday but the pulmonologist can’t fit me in to go over results until October 30 which was disappointing. I told them to please call if they had a cancellation.
I will close this post with a hurricane poem written by my very talented sister, Ruth. She has painted a picture that perfectly captures the personality of a hurricane.
THIS ONE
By Ruth C. Rehberg
It begins with a sigh,
a soft breeze,
latent and drowsy
in ambition and form;
innocence at ease…
then somehow,
with playful cunning,
curls itself
into a child’s pin-wheel,
as a new thought of corrupted
whimsy floats by its calm, blue eye.
Suddenly, pivoting
to expand this vicious vision,
it explodes into fretful action;
calculating the consequence
of negotiating with naivety,
it aptly drowns
any ambivalent rules;
then slowly starts to play
by diabolical force.
Rolling wide and low
over continent- wide
waters, gathering
strength of horrible
dimensions that a
consuming calamity
will be unleashed on
whatever it comes near.
Unafraid of man or beast,
knowing no master,
no submission;
this power will not
bend to any earthly king.
Roaming the sea, breathing in
warm water then filling
turbulent skies with utter chaos,
spinning out its own wrath;
and possibly– wild pleasure
of being created for such a time as this.
This one hurricane will implant
a permanent memory on all
who may encounter
this marauding monster
of the majestic, driven sea.
What about you? Are you getting any hurricane effects where you are?
Hope all is well with you in Charlotte and your place at the Outer Banks, concerning the storm. The Lord keeps you all your days and directs your way. Thanks for sharing my poem here too. Ruth
Ruth,
I am always honored to be able to feature your amazing writing. Thanks for sharing it with us.
We came home to no damages whatsoever. Charlotte is getting slammed with rain this weekend but Steve’s parents are fine. Thanks for commenting!
So glad to see all is well even with the dogs. Living in Southern Ontario for the most part we do not have to worry about hurricanes although we will be getting the rain from Florence come Wednesday of next week. We are quite susceptible to tornadoes and winter here can be brutal. We are in what they call “the banana belt” which makes me laugh as no banana tree would survive our snow falls. I grew up just the the road from a little town named Florence and it was much more quite and quaint than what this Florence is. Praying for everyone in Florence’s path.
Mel,
Banana Belt is indeed a funny name for a place in Canada. I Googled it just so that I could get a little background. It looks like a place I would LOVE to visit with my camera!
Hard to believe that Florence is affecting you way up North. A truly massive storm–to use a word we all keep hearing on weather reports.
Continued prayers for you and all those affected by Florence.
Thank you, Sue Ellen! There will be a lot of people in need of those prayer.
I have not been around lately in posting but you all have always been in my heart an thoughts. Many reasons for that to happen, just changes in situation but never enough to loose sight.of friends and souls of mine. My heart and prayers are with all of you as you face hurricane weather and all the fears and strength you will endure and share with all your family and friends and anyone who need your prayers and aide in the next several days. In my heart! In my thoughts!
Mary!
How lovely to see your name appear here. 🙂
Your always have such compassionate and empathetic words to share. I hope that some of the changing situations in your life are for the good. Many hugs.
Nice to get an update and pictures. Glad all the Smith’s are doing ok. Loved Ruth’s poem–amazing.
Love to all.
Deb
Deb,
Thanks for your concern, calls, and texts. Means a lot.
And yes, we DO have an amazing sister!
Ruth’s poem is beautiful. Glad that Sarah decided to move to the hotel. I agree, the normal 5 hours to Charlotte would turn in to much longer I fear with other people trying to evacuate.
So nice to have people looking out for Steve’s parents. Several years ago, there was a plumber where my parents lived that bought an old ambulance to use as his service vehicle. One time this old ambulance was parked in front of my parents house – not sure it he was there or not. Anyhow, the pastor that had baptized me some 50+ years ago happened to drive by and see the ambulance. My parents live on the Main street (actually called Main) of a town of about 3,800 people. Seeing what he thought was an ambulance, he stopped to see if something was wrong with my parents.
Prayers continue for all impacted by Florence! Here in the Midwest, we are not seeing any impact from Florence although we did have rain last week from Gordon. I just find it ironic that Florence formed before Gordon but Gordon made landfall before Florence.
Phyllis,
Thanks for your encouraging words on Ruth’s poem; that means a lot to her.
Isn’t it wonderful to have a pastor who cares enough to stop and doesn’t just drive by? Sounds like a special man.
Glad you are safe from the storm. And Sarah too! I live in Baltimore, Maryland, and wasn’t unhappy when I heard the storm was taking a more southern route.
I live away from my dad, who resides at a retirement community in Ohio. While I have a brother and sister-in-law near my dad, I realize, during my physical visits, that there are numerous strange-to-me folks loving and caring for my dad as well! There’s the maintenance guy who will borrow from my dad’s tool collection from time to time, the nearby auto repair guys who keep Dad’s handicapped accessible van in order, the folks at Panera who run to open the door when they see him and his scooter trying to enter. Dad is a beautiful, jovial soul, so giving of himself, and learning to accept and appreciate the outreach of others.
I value the numerous friends of my dad’s who have become special to me, during my visits over the years. We just lost 96 year old Fred, who shared his memories of WW2, who made it real for me. His daughter and family don’t know me. But I loved and cared for this special man I often shared breakfast with, during my visits. I now mourn with my dad, and rejoice that Fred’s path became part of our path.
What a special time you have with your in-laws right now, Becky.
My prayer is that Florence CALM DOWN as she approaches.
Ann,
I loved reading the description of your dad and all the people who impact his life, whether it’s just for five seconds or whether it’s down through the years. And I also appreciated what you said about him learning to accept and appreciate the outreach of others.
I think that must be such a difficult part of getting old–losing the ability to do what you want when you want and having to rely so much more on others. And yet people like your dad (and Steve’s dad) lean into it with grace and dignity. A true inspiration to me.
(And God bless Fred who impacted both you and your dad so greatly.)
I, too, was glad to see that Florence had turned south a bit. I am still praying for everyone in it’s path.
This will be quite the experience for Sarah. I’m sure her friends are great but there is nothing like being with family in a situation like this. Prayers for her, her safety and courage in the uncertain days ahead.
Ruth’s poem paints quite the picture…..she is so talented!
We are in the center of the U.S. so are not really experiencing anything hurricane related. (Thankfully) Times like this make me extra appreciative of our location.
Thanks for the update!
Lee Anne,
Sarah sent a picture last night of a fun game she and her new friends were playing. It did my heart good to know she is having a great time–even though, of course, my mama heart wanted to have her tucked right in beside me. 🙂
Thank you for your prayers for the hurricane victims and your words of affirmation about Ruth’s poem.
Wind is picking up in Roanoke Rapids. Feels good outside now but I know it will get worse. Have put all yard items in the shed and all yard flags inside. Plenty of water if needed and food. Watching the news continuously but need to take a shower!?. Washing clothes, too. Glad Sarah is safe and y’all are able to be with Steve’s parents. Prayers for all affected.
Ann,
Sounds like your are hunkered down, tucked in and ready for whatever comes. Hopefully you all won’t have too many storm effects. I read on FB about your busy, productive day. I don’t know why it is that storms make us feel extra energetic but it sure is nice to have all that work done! Hugs to you and Jim.
Well, here in Raleigh we were expecting to be in the direct path as well, all the store shelves are empty, gas lines are long, bank lines are long but I see now it is veering to the south so we are just expecting heavy rains and probably power outages…..but at any rate we are set….
Dale,
Better to over prepare than under prepare! I’m so thankful your storm effects won’t be as bad.