Burnt Orange Report

BORed: The Morning After, Don't Come Back

By Matt Hardigree

Through rain, wind and limbs we've surived the storm. Though, for us, it wasn't much of a storm. Winds didn't seem to get much higher than 45 mph sustained with gusts up to 65 mph. I learned a lot about myself. I learned that half-frozen water is better than regular water. I now know which reporters for which stations don't speak Spanish. I learned how much my relatives smoke (about 600 cigarettes since Thursday morning), but also how much it means to have them around.

I learned that the President, the governor and the mayor don't want people to return. Yet, I know people who are doing that. I now know which friends are well prepared for catastrophe, and which ones we'll eat first.

There are a few trees down in the area, some large branches and about one million small branches. All of our utilities are working (with only an occasional flicker). I've got so many batteries I feel like I need to buy a Sega Nomad.

I've decided I like Judge Robert Eckels and Mayor Bill White, a lot. Though, after Katrina I already decided that. Though we dodged a bullet, I hope that no one think that will happened again.

In Corpus Christi, Hurricane Beulah struck in 1967 and everyone packed up. Not a lot happened to Corpus Christi, though it spawned a significant number of tornadoes and caused a lot of damage. Then, three years later Hurricane Celia struck Corpus and not as many people left. Unfortunately, 20 people died. People learned that a 130 mph storm can have gusts as high as 180 mph and do significant damage. We shouldn't make the mistake.

I'm going to get something carbonated, I've been pigging out on storm food (and storing some away for next time).

**UPDATE ONE** Highlight from local media "People need to not come through Hempstead, there's bumper-to-bumper traffic, no gas... and our McDonalds is Closed!" Having eaten at that McD's, I have to say it's a travesty. Godspped Terry Kolenovsky.

Whew, it's windy outside.