Hurricane Irene: A Florida Editor’s Look, a Native Long Islander’s Report

I’ve learned something already, this Florida resident who was raised up north and has returned here in time for the wrath of Irene.

As editor of the Brandon Patch, and a longtime community journalist in the Greater Brandon area and beyond, I have written my good share of hurricane and hurricane preparedness stories.

I own a home in the Greater Brandon community of Valrico, and I’ve raised my kid here, so I know the importance of being ever-vigilant for a storm that threatens to strike — and especially so with a “Category 3 or higher” designation.

And I know as well that forecaster and reporter alike walk a fine line between warning people, and warning people too much, to the point that if the worst-case scenario doesn’t materialize this time around they just might not heed your concerns should it come to pass for real the next time.

I write this to you after midnight Aug. 27, a couple hours into the day that reportedly will go down in New York history as the day Irene tore through two islands — Manhattan and Long Island — with a fury that promises to be unprecedented in our lifetimes.

That’s pretty heady stuff.

I’ve learned something already: That up here it matters much less the category (1, 2, 3 or higher) and much more the hurricane’s mass/size and surge . They don’t bury power lines up here and stately, mature trees rise from ground that is already over-saturated with summer rains.

Again, we’re on an island, as is Manhattan, and so lots of flooding is expected, so much so that New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia officials, by noon today, will shut down subways, buses, commuter trains and airports. High winds threaten to close bridges and roads as well. This ceasing of planes, trains and automobiles marks an unprecedented shutdown of mass transit systems.

As for now, though, it’s a beautiful night. I think I’ll take another walk around the house on this tree-lined, Plainview street. In short order I will become one of some 55 million people they say have been, and will be, affected by this historic hurricane, a nor’easter on speed, which promises mass, wind and surge of epic proportions.

As in Florida when such storms approach, as tracks are determined, debated and discussed, there are people who “doubt the hype” and question if all of this is too much about too little.

Here’s hoping that the naysayers have the last laugh and that the storm blows far, far away, but that does not appear to be even remotely likely. The official talk of the day has reminded me, as a Floridian, of the language forecasters reserve for the worst of storms, with no words minced.

So, I leave for you — and myself, this time — a very necessary list of hurricane do’s and don’t’s as I prepare to catch a short night’s rest.

Goodnight, Irene. I’ll see you in my dreams.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Brandon Patch posted information about  as part of its Florida Severe Weather Awareness Week  coverage. The posting includes links to other weather events and to the hazardous weather background, tips and information posted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross.

The Hurricane Preparedness Website offers extensive links and information about:

• Hurricane history,
• Hurricane hazards,
• Hurricane forecasts,
• Hurricane preapredness, and
• Actions to take to save lives as work and home and while on the road or in the water.