Hurricane Season—Again...

I made this image as Hurricane Irene just passed through our area on August 28, 2011.  James River. (click to enlarge)

I've now prepared for my 22nd hurricane in the 46 years I've lived in southeastern Virginia.  As I post this on Friday morning, September 6th, Hurricane Dorian is slowly approaching the region.  However, this storm doesn't seem to be too bad as it is skirting out to sea after hitting the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  Nonetheless...

Until I retired, because of my position as a police official, from detective all the way up to chief of police, I had to work each time we had hurricanes or bad storms come through our city.  I have to confess I love stormy weather, even bad storms.  I don't want anyone to be hurt or suffer property loss, but the unusual weather was always "beautiful" in a way and a challenge for which to prepare.  Good for photography also.

Hurricane Isabel, 2003,  Interested in sitting on that bench and watching the storm?

The hardest part of hurricanes coming through our area was leaving my family at home.  It is really tough to walk out that door with an impending hurricane approaching and see the look of concern and even fear on the faces of your spouse and children.  All I could do was evacuate them prior to the storm coming if I thought it necessary and prepare them and our house and property if the storm didn't seem as though it would be that bad.  I would rationalize to my two children that I needed to be protecting everyone, not just them.  That didn't lessen their fear, however.  All in all, we never suffered any severe damage other than losing some trees that were uprooted due to the high winds.  Luckily none of those hit our home when falling.

Hurricane Isabel, 2003

For today's storm, we are supposed to experience Tropical Storm Force Winds. Dorian won't come close enough for Hurricane Force Winds, thankfully.  I would suspect, based upon our specific location, that they shouldn't get more than about 40 mph winds with higher gusts.  We should also received several inches of rain.  All manageable.  I'm prepared.  Also, I learned my lesson many years ago and had a natural gas whole house generator installed.  That was one of the best decisions I have made, when it comes to safety, security and comfort, not only for hurricanes but for ice storms, nor' easters, etc.

Although I like storms and stormy weather, I never, ever took them for granted nor underestimated them.  I always over-prepared and erred on the side of worst case scenario.  Thank my emergency management training for that.  Better be safe than sorry.

I'm hoping the rest of this hurricane season is not bad for anyone in typical geographical locations in which the storms impact.  I hope it will be rather benign.  A much as I like storms and stormy weather, my wish for no harm to others is greater.  I'll willingly give up opportunities for making interesting photographs it it will be beneficial to others.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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