Just a quick update to say we are just a few hours from feeling the first effects of Dorian. (We have opted not to evacuate.)
At first it was forecast to hit Thursday night which is doubly scary to have a storm and darkness at the same time. Now it’s supposed to be at its worst on Friday when there is light so I am grateful for that change.
Although I try to put somewhat lovely photos on the blog (as much as I can) these were kind of shot on the fly.
I went to Food Lion today and when I saw a TV crew looking for people to interview, I ran as speedily as possible in the other direction. I did watch a bit of the interview from a distance and was amused to see that the interviewee put on lipstick before the cameras started rolling. I’m afraid I would have had to do the same thing; without lipstick, my face disappears. Anyone else?
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This is actually the Food Lion where Sarah used to work so I sent her a photo.
A sentiment we can all get behind.
On a usual September day, our outlet mall would have people zooming everywhere. This was the scene today.
Here is a little bit of Dorian humor which I got from Mike’s Weather Page on Facebook. It didn’t say who wrote it but the author is brilliant!
This is the worst hurricane ever. We’ve been waiting for it to arrive for like a month now.First, we were told its nothing to worry about, then they said pay attention as it could be something. Then we were told it’s coming, not coming, could be coming, probably coming, definitely coming, not coming, small chance it’s coming, it shifted, shifted back, shifted again, it’s totally coming, not coming….and then they said we just don’t know.We were told to evacuate, don’t evacuate. You’re gonna flood, might get some rain, might not get any rain, you might get nothing. We just don’t know.It’s a tropical storm, cat 1, cat 2, cat 3, cat 4, cat 5 and now it’s a turbo cat 5 and the biggest storm ever.You’re in the cone but don’t worry, you’re out of cone but still worry, we moved the cone, if you’re in the cone you could be out of the cone, if you’re out of the cone you could be in the cone. We just don’t know.It’ll strike South Florida, Central Florida, Gulf Coast, North Coast, West Coast, South Coast, North Florida, South Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina…it might eventually destroy icebergs in Greenland and kill 4-leaf clovers in Ireland. We just don’t knowYou might just get a breeze or it might blow your house off it’s foundation. It might not, but could, maybe, probably, small chance, big chance, little chance. We just don’t know.We’ll know more on Friday, definitely know more on Saturday, for sure on Sunday, by Monday we will totally know, maybe Tuesday but definitely have answers on Wednesday. We don’t know when we will know.I’ve eaten enough hurricane snacks and gained so much weight that I might just end up strapping my house to myself to secure it and wait for Dorian.
If you are now (or have been) anywhere near the path of Dorian over the past week, you can certainly relate to the whole idea of “We just don’t know.”
The Outer Banks has had Spanish Mustangs on its northern banks for over 500 years now. (But not the same ones, obviously!) 🙂
Someone was asking what happens to the ponies during severe weather. As it turns out, even without the help of Jim Cantore, the ponies are already making their own provision, instinctively moving to the west side of the island.
This shot was taken by OBX local horse tour guide, Nathan Lawrenson.
When the storm hits, “they will survive the storm the way they have for the past five centuries; standing in a circle with their butts facing out.”
Here is an interesting article that tells more about that quote and these amazing animals.
Reading about them made me smile and also touched my heart as I thought of those intrepid creatures and their instinct to face a storm together–which is the best way to face any storm.
As long as we keep power and cellular, I’ll post some updates.
I would have liked to have seen you on television. Prayers.
Ann,
That would have been exciting to see someone you knew!
Hope you are all ok down there on the coast. Here in Raleigh we had some breeze and moderate rain but nothing dramatic. Hopefully you didn’t fare any worse. ♥️
Ellen,
Glad Raleigh was ok. Parts of our area are going to be without power for a LONG time. A lot more destruction than I was thinking there would be.
Prayers for the Smith’s , Lawrenson’s (I’ve been following their story prior since before their sweet daughter was born) and all others that are affected by Dorian. As the shutters above say Go Away Dorian … you are not wanted ! Much love !
Sarah,
Yes,the Lawrenson’s definitely have an amazing story. It’s nice to run into them here and there living on the OBX.
And if I am not mistaken, is his is your first comment? If so, welcome to the Commenting Corner. Don’t be a stranger!
Central Florida here…we bought hurricane snacks, ate them while waiting on the storm to arrive, bought more, ate those while STILL waiting…at least it passed us by with only some wind and rain bands!
Melissa,
I think a lot of people have probably gained a few pounds in the middle of all the waiting!
Prayers for the Smiths as Dorian heads your way. A couple from my church, both in their mid to late 80s, just moved to South Carolina in May to be nearer to their son. They have evacuated to Atlanta. I think they live west of Hilton Head.
I love Mike’s Weather Page, he even weighs in on winter weather and spring storms here in Kansas.
Phyllis,
Yeah, we are big fans of Mike’s. He explains things calmly and clearly which is important in a storm!
Becky, I was thinking about your guys on the coast, here in Raleigh, we are just getting torrential downpours and my husband secured some small trees around the property today and we brought in all outdoor furniture….we lost cable for a bit and hope we don’t lose power which happens almost on a weekly basis! Stay safe!
Dale,
So weird that you lose power once a week? That would be quite frustrating.
So glad the storm has passed!
I often wonder about the animals out there during the storms. Thank you for figuring at least the horses out=)
Here in ND, we get pretty severe storms in the summer- thunder, lightning, strong wind and rain. And that Facebook post is pretty much what our weather people say during those storms. Cute
Continuing to pray for you and all in the path of Dorian.
Krista,
I feel bad for weather people sometimes because no matter how good they are, they are just no match for figuring out the weather!
Prayers for safety during Dorian! I love storms and being out in them though not fond of the damage done by them. Had there been such a thing as stormchasers when I was younger, I probably would have been one. I’d read the article on the horses standing butt to storm and was reminded that animals have an amazing innate sense of how to protect themselves. Think if I stood butt to trouble it would be beneficial?! 🙂
Guerrina the Storm Chaser. I can picture that, for sure!
Butt to trouble. Sounds like the title of a new self help book.
I forgot to say we live in NY, so they did a lot of driving! How did Nathan make out? He lives in fla , right.
Michele,
Yes, he lives in Auburndale. Thankfully, they saw very little effects.
And yes, NY IS a very good drive!
I hope you remain unscathed by Dorian. You are right; iit has been confusing for lack of a better term. I have 2 daughters in fla. one lives and teaches about 1 1/2 hours west of Daytona the other is a grad student in Ft Lauderdale. Last Firday when when iit was predicted to hit fla as a category 5 and both schools were closed at least through awed. They hopped in the car and drove home ahead of the storm. Then since nothing much happened in Fla they had to turn around and drive back yesterday. So they had 2 full days home and the last just got home a little while ago. They took an inland route to be safe. A lot of driving in a few days but at least they were safe and would have been if things got bad down there. The uncertainty is so frustrating. I wisg you all the best
Michele,
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a hurricane hang around so long. It’s nice that your daughters live near enough to each other to evacuate together. Even though it proved to be unnecessary, they got to have a sister road trip, which is always fun! 🙂
Thanks for the good thoughts.
Glad preparations are being taken seriously by everyone there. This has to be one of the slowest moving storms ever. And I agree, I’d much rather have it hit during the daylight hours. How does Summer do with storms?
Those horses are amazing, its crazy how they know ahead of time something is coming. I just love horses.
I will be thinking of you in the next few days.
Les,
Summer is NOT a happy camper with storms; gets very frantic and anxious. She had dental surgery last week and is already on pain meds but vet said we could also add Trazadone as a sedative.
I agree about horses. Such gorgeous, elegant, amazing creatures.
I noticed the picture you sent to Sarah included some trees that seem to be on their best lean. Are they usually that way or is that from past storms. Seem like it wasn’t too long ago there was flooding a few miles from you, and now – here it comes again, under a different name. Know you will do everything you can to be safe.
Sharyn,
We do have some permanently leaning trees due to steady winds.
And yes, we did have some flooding in recent months; it’s a lovely place but certainly gets its share of “interesting” weather!
Thinking of you while you wait this out. Loved the picture you created in my mind with the horses in a circle with their butts facing out. I am interested in what preparations you and Steve did. Board up windows etc. Stay safe and post when you can.
Mel,
I know–isn’t that such great imagery? 🙂
Steve boarded up our two big windows downstairs and of course, brought in loose stuff from outside. At our church, we also had to put things up off the floor in our Youth House which was badly flooded a couple years ago. So we’ll see where we are 36 hours from now!
If I saw a TV camera crew looking for people to interview, I would high tail it in the opposite direction. Even with lipstick on! No TV cameras for this gal!! LOL
I got a chuckle out of the Facebook post…what a great sense of humor! 🙂
I’ll be thinking of you all in the stormy days ahead and praying for everyone in it’s path.
LeeAnne,
I’m with you on running away from a TV camera! That would NOT be on my list of happy things to do.
Thank you so much for the prayers and thoughts.