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September 1, 2006

The Storm is Here

Ever since the end of last year's hurricane season, I've been predicting that North Carolina would be hit this year by a named storm. I would get strange looks, as the person listening would wonder if I was privvy to some top-secret scientific data, or if I was pulling a prediction out of my butt. The truth lies somewhere in-between.

First, I'm a North Carolinian. Hurricanes are a way of life for us. The North Atlantic weather swirl simply places us in the path, seemingly more often than not. I've also had a little weather training from the National Weather Service (something the global warmiacs might think about getting to reduce their ignorance). When you see a map, with the tracks of all of the major storms for 20 years laid on a map, you have trouble seeing North Carolina through all the stormtracks drawn over it. Last year's North Carolina drought was caused by an unseasonable storm-free year, except for one storm that skirted the coast, leaving the rest of the state unscathed.

Count me as a bit strange, but I've come to enjoy the storms. I've ridden out a few major storms, including Fran. The eye of Fran woke me from a comfortable sleep, as all of the storm's noise died down for a few minutes, producing a complete calm. When the eyewall passed back across, and we were in the thick of the storm again, I quickly fell back asleep.

Well, it doesn't seem to be much, but now we have Ernesto. Riding this one out is going to take on new meaning, as I walk out to my car in a few minutes and drive through the storm to work, a commute that normally takes just under an hour. I love my commute, but I don't know what to expect on this morning.

Stay prepared.

Posted by Lockjaw at 6:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack