John S. and all other Cape Dorians in the path of Hurricane Flornence:
You will be in our thoughts for the next many days and weeks.
Unfortunately, it looks like Florence is projected to make landfall very close to Wilmington. You may get the eye of the hurricane or the "NE wall" of Florence. That will be the "dirty side" of the hurricane and will have the most destructive power. While tornadoes can form anywhere, the dirty side is historically high on the list.
As the veteran of several hurricanes I offer some thoughts which I am confident you already know:
1. I urge you to consider evacuation. I know you are a Marine and that grates the wrong way. Understood. Retreat is NOT defeat. Live to fight another day. If Florence does as projected it may well make landfall as a Cat. 5 hurricane with sustained winds in excess of 150 mph.
Very few structures will survive that level of sustained attack for hours. As you noted, Florence is projected to stall at or near the coast. Very bad.
2. If you stay, make sure you lay in a supply of:
Water - enough for at least 2 weeks for each person; you will drink much more water than you normally do.
CASH - possibly (probably) no electricity for weeks; no banks; no ATMS, CASH IS KING
Get small bills and much more than you think you will need
Vehicle gas tank full - gas pumps will not be working for days or weeks.
Batteries, radio, flashlights
Keep all cell phones on battery charger until electricity goes out.
If anyone in family takes meds, make sure you get an extra refill NOW because pharmacies will not be open, will not have electricity and will not have medical records for prescription refills.
Collect all important legal documents, insurance documents, etc. and make sure they are in a safe, dry place, preferably in your "go bag". Each person should have an individual "go bag".
Turn OFF at circuit breakers all non-essential electrical systems
Wash all clothes, etc. just before storm so that you start with a clean slate. Possibly no electricity for weeks; no washer/dryer.
Provide contact information, etc. to someone you know who is not in the path of Florence.
Some of the above may not apply if you have a sufficiently large generator with a sufficient supply of generator fuel.
Just some thoughts from a hurricane survivor, including Hurricane Andrew (24 August 1992; Cat. 5, sustained 160+mph winds). My house blew away. Andrew created this beautiful 10' square sky window in the bedroom - no roof but you could see the stars every night while sitting on the salt water soaked bed. What fun
I will end with this thought. If I had known just before 24 August 1992 what I know now, I would have done what I could to protect my home and property and then loaded up the truck with everything I could and "bugged out". I would have driven as far north as possible to get out of the path of Andrew. I have been in some scary s**t in my life; Andrew was at or near the top. Once it hits there is nothing you can do. You just sit for several hours hoping it will end soon. Three (3) people died (including 2 children) in my neighborhood when second floor collapsed onto the first floor. Many others died when their homes blew away.
In your situation, I would think driving west towards the Tenn. border or deep into SC would be options.
Please keep us posted as long as you can. I guarantee you everyone on this board is thinking of you, fingers crossed
Those of us who pray are praying as well.
P.S. It would not hurt to lay in a special supply of Guinness. If you leave, when you return you can celebrate your return with a bottle of Guinness - warm, just they way the Irish like it.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
