By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that since 1851, the United States has been hit with nearly 300 hurricanes? Of course, since then, technology has helped meteorologists give us days, if not, weeks in advance to prepare. We should be thankful that we now live in an era where we can take advantage of time to protect our loved-ones as well as personal property, and if ever we lost power to our home, we have the ability to have already stored for ourselves and others, food, water and other precious-life sustaining items.
What has also changed however over the course of time since the official record keeping of hurricanes impacting the United States. are people’s attitudes. Even in the course of my short life-time of nearly 60 years, I have come to see a prevalent attitude of what we used to call, “The Golden Rule”, that is—treat others, as you would wish to be treated”, to become today’s, “stick-it to everybody else whenever you can.”
While some days before Hurricane Dorian’s arrival to Florida, I couldn’t help but notice people hoarding food and water. If that wasn’t bad enough, price gouging by stores, gasoline stations and convenient stores for water and gasoline, were common place.
Like many who now call Florida as “home”, I hail from a State where family and friends were important. If I had an emergency and asked one of my family members or friends for help, they would indeed drop everything and come immediately to help. That same willingness seemingly is missing here in Florida, or at least when a hurricane is forecast to hit us.
Surely, we all have an ability to be better than this, and I have some suggestions that may help,
1) Before hurricane Season begins, stock-up on nonperishable foods.
2) When hurricane season begins, purchase an extra case of water every week.
3) Have extra gasoline containers already filled. You can always use the gas in your vehicle later.
4) Be a good neighbor, if you stock-up early, you can share with those who may later be in need.