Hot air and hurricanes
It seems like this time of the year, we
are being warned daily about steps to take should a
hurricane threaten the area. While traditionally, hurricanes
of note (BIG ones) that have hit the area wait until about
September. But, changes in the patterns and predictability
of these storms has made them anything but predictable.
Since so many Fort Bend County residents are from places
where hurricanes and tropical storms are not a threat,
forgive the media and local government officials for
hammering in the need to “be prepared” should these storms
threaten the area.
Officials tell us to purchase
non-perishable food ahead of time. Be sure and also purchase
a non-electric can opener too (yep, they still make them)
because these storms play havoc with electrical service.
Officials tell us to get a substantial
amount of bottled water. Be sure and remember that if a
hurricane is predicted for the area, to run a full bathtub
of tap water and put it in other receptacles as well. It is
amazing how fast bottled water disappears from store shelves
when a hurricane is predicted. It is also amazing how fast
that bottled water can disappear if you don’t plan to have
extra water stored for toilet flushing!
There are just a lot of “common sense”
tips on planning that anyone who is not familiar with Gulf
Coast storms should study now. For those of us who have
weathered several of these tropical events the plans may be
second nature.
The hot air
It seems like only yesterday, we were all
breathing a sigh of relief because local elections and the
hot air that goes with incumbent and hopeful politicians had
turned into a mild coastal breeze. Well, not for long. Now
all those who plan to challenge anyone—be it city, county,
state or even on the federal level—are blustering and
blowing again in preparation for the 2008 election.
So, when you are making hurricane plans,
it might be fun to make a “hot air” plan as well. Some
suggestions that come to mind: Have an emergency plan to
deal with large hot air masses—read, study and evaluate
before taking the wind at face value. Have an emergency
escape plan—once you’ve determined who the best candidate is
(see above criteria for doing so)—plan to go to the movies,
filter all calls with an answering machine and do not answer
the door if you see anything that looks red, white and blue
with an elephant or donkey in your neighborhood.
Have emergency supplies stocked—lots of
pizza, soft drinks and crunchy sweet snacks take the edge
off of the political ads that will inundate you in the weeks
preceding the election. If you already know who your
candidate of choice is—run—don’t walk—to the kitchen for
sustenance when the ads appear on the screen. It might
behoove you to keep some sort of antacid on hand should you
not reach the emergency stash in time.
