Have you been through a hurricane?

Question

I know this may be a touchy subject for many...so if you post to this question please be respectful to folks that may have lost a loved one to a hurricane(s).

I have never lived in a hurricane prone area until my husband went into the military in 1989 and his first duty station was in Hawaii. I am originally from KS. and have never been through a tornado, so I've felt pretty lucky about that until our last year of our tour.

On Sep 11, 1992 a Hurricane named Iniki (E-Nee-Kee) was coming towards the island and I was terrified! But by the time my husband got home we could not leave to go to a shelter and had to take refuge in our home. The radio said Iniki was heading right toward our side of Oahu, until it vered off and continued it's path and damaged the island of Kaua'i the worst killing 6 people.

Hurricane Iniki was scaled at a catagory 4 hurricane and struck just weeks after Hurricane Andrew affected the east coast of the US.

Answer 1

That sounds pretty brutal. You were very lucky it changed directions.

I was in a hurricane once in Mexico...I don't even think it was a majorly huge one but it was TERRIFYING. We were in Cancun and the lagoon was on one side and the ocean on the other...we were in a night club with a huge window that faced the ocean....all I remember is that the waves got higher and higher and the beach shorter and shorter till it seemed the waves were going to hit the building eventually. We thought we were best staying there but then decided to leave....and when we did, (the dance club was in a hotel) we found the lobby full of panicked tourists trying to call for cabs (which there weren't any as everyone else on the island was doing the same) so we decided to hit the road and hitch-hike back to the hotel (there were 8 of us)...so a pick up gave us a lift....I thought we would fly off into the night as I hung on for dear life to the back of that pick up....anyhow, back at our hotel they had taped X's on all the windows...the winds just howled and the rains pelted as we sat unable to sleep....we were on the thin part where you could see the lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other and the roads flooded until we felt like we were sitting in the middle of the ocean....I thought we would be toast but the locals working the desk didn't blink an eye...so I took that as either they are nuts or they are not worried so perhaps I should relax a bit...still....at some point during the night I guess it passed and we'd fallen asleep....it was morning...quieter, no rain but still windy...and the beach was awash with all kinds of conch shells and star fish and other shells etc....people were just grabbing everything up. The island was destroyed however and even years later you saw signs of that hurricane.

I'm sure that's true again now with all the battering from last year's hurricanes.

Answer 2

I live in Florida and yes I have been through many hurricanes. In my opinion the hurricane itself, winds and rain are not dangerous, at least not compared to what comes next. Don't get me wrong, Katrina took lives but it was not the wind and rain. It was the breach of the levy, floods, that take lives. The most deadly part of a hurricane comes after. No power, all the telephone poles blown down. Even if you could call 911 how would they find you. No street signs. Street lights are out so if you can find a road that is passable drive very carefully.

Lift stations that pump sewage can not work without electricity, watch where you step. It is a blessing to have cool weather after a hurricane. If you have more rain or hot conditions life can be miserable. Very few stores are open of any kind. Perhaps the most dangerous thing is the change that takes place in people. The rule of law ceases to exist. If you see someone looting a 7-11 after a hurricane can you "cast the first stone" ? Can you blame someone for taking a can of soup. Don't get me wrong, many good things happen after a hurricane. You might learn your next door neighbor's name. People tend to share things. Need to borrow some eggs, no problem they would spoil anyway in a few days. Need a tree cut up, no problem I have a chain saw. Much better to be doing something, anything than just sitting around waiting.

The local golf course, be prepared to see it changed into a temporary land fill. By the way the mighty oak tree will fall much sooner than a palm tree. Bulletin boards and signs are among the first things to go. Things with large surface area will be greatly effected by winds.

Answer 3

Hello Lyn , as an off/on lifelong resident of Ct. I have experienced many hurricanes, most of which were in latter stages by the time they reached New England. They are truly powerful events in nature's scheme. I was under the impression that such storms in the Pacific were identified as Typhoons though,so I too have a question now .... when the choice is available , seek shelter in any storm......

Answer 4

No but I have been at sea in a force 10 the hurricane would proberbly be about force 14. Not much diferance but i would never do it again unless i had to

Answer 5

Yes but it wasn't bad. (it was just like a REAL bad storm but was technically considered a hurricane) It was like 11 years ago when I was little and my family and I were on our way to Florida to visit relatives. We were DRIVING! Although it wasn't REAL bad, it was scary...the car was shaking and water was coming in. I can't even imagine how horrible it must be for people who had it way worse than that.

Answer 6

Yes manny, and typhoons. Just for your info thphoons are on the western side and Hurricanes are on the eastern side, so what you experianced was a typoon, and they are more stronger.

Answer 7

no, im from
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I
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But I am very lucky because I have escaped twisters by just a mile or two quite a few times.
Must of sucked for u, tho. SEE, there are always disadvantages to EVERYWHERE u can live.
Myself

Answer 8

never

Answer 9

unfortunantly not. it must have been scary for you

Answer 10

no