"The world is ending."
At least, that's what it seems like these past couple of weeks. Harvey was only the beginning. Before we could even finish sending our prayers and aiding in the relief effort, Irma came in hot, just as powerful and catastrophic.
While these two hurricanes were the main focus of the world, Hurricane Katia and Hurricane Jose brewed under our noses. Not only were there hurricanes, but tornados that destroyed areas of Florida, and even severe earthquake warnings in California. So what is actually going on? What have we done to deserve all this?
Well, we won't get into the real causes (*cough cough* climate change) of these hurricanes. Yes, it is hurricane season, so they are expected.
But the severity of these storms are nothing like the typical hurricanes that form each year, which has led to a lot of people irrationally claiming the world is ending or Jesus is coming. This likely isn't the case. However, when we are faced with situations like these, it's important to remember what to focus on: staying safe.
The most obvious thing to do is to listen to evacuation orders. Don't be that person who thinks they're stronger than a hurricane, because guess what, you're not. Yes, packing up all your belongings and driving or flying to a safe area is quite a hassle, but it's worth it.
You wouldn't be forced to leave your home unless there was a serious enough reason to. However if you are leaving, please don't neglect your pets. They can't fend for themselves; don't ever leave them behind thinking they'll be alright.
If you wouldn't be alright staying there, they definitely won't be either. Pack food for them and take their water needs into consideration. Pets are family - they're not expendable.
The rush to supermarkets after a storm is announced is always crazy. Everyone wants to stock up on food and water, which is a smart thing to do, but also make sure you're not overdoing it.
Chances are you're not going to need ten cases of water to survive a couple of days. Be considerate to the fact that pretty much everyone else needs what you need too. If you're buying out a store of all their water just so you can resell it for profit, you deserve to be swept up by the hurricane.
If you're in an area that's going to be directly hit or severely damaged, reinforce your home. Yes, boarding up all your windows could be a hassle, but it's better than having shattered glass all over your living room and a clear invitation for the hurricane to destroy your house. Do what you need to do, even if there's a chance that it might shift and miss you completely, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Finally, be considerate to those who might need a little more help. You may have friends who have nowhere to go; if you can, offer them a place to stay. You may have elderly neighbors who can't make it to the store or who are unable to reinforce their home; offer them a helping hand. Check up on those who are in dangerous areas. As much as someone says that they'll be okay, it's always nice to know that someone cares about you and wants to make sure you're alright.
