Rainy Hurricane

The day before the remnants of the hurricane were to arrive in the mountains, I received several very severe warnings on line. It seems emergency sirens had been placed all around my county. These devices also have voice announcements, and I would be told where to go to evacuate. I think the forecasts for Hurricane Helene truly missed the mark, and the weathermen would not be caught short again. I could expect severe flooding and must leave my home on foot at a moment’s notice. I laughed, because the nearest siren would be at the fire station about a mile away. That building is right beside the creek, which would flood before anything else. Nevertheless. I had been notified to expect flooding in the area. I live on the lower slope of a mountain, and it would take a catastrophic amount of water to reach my house.

It was already sprinkling when I got up on hurricane day. There was no wind, so I quickly used the washing machine and dryer before the electricity went out. Once I saw the bushes whipping about, and all the garden wind spinners were whirling. That lasted all of five minutes. The rest of the daylight hours were the same – light rain and very little wind.

Grandson David was dog-sitting in the next town for two nights. After he fed the dogs and got them ready for the day, he went out to lunch with me. We ate barbecue just down the road, shopped for a few things in Dollar General, and came back to my house. I asked him to help me use the burrito method to get my winter duvet ready. He has helped me do this for a couple of years. I had the fresh cover laid out on the bed, inside out, and the duvet lying on top of it. We just had to roll it up, turn it, and unroll it. I always get stuck in the middle of that operation. David doesn’t even have to watch the video, he just figures it out every time. I don’t know what I’d do without him. Tonight I will be warm, even if the electricity fails.

The photo shows a pile of pulled pork, fries, and David’s most favorite mac and cheese in the area.

As David was leaving, we both noticed blue sky above white clouds right above us. The radar still shows rain coming through the night, but that should be over in the morning.