Thursday, October 6, 2016

Day Before the Storm

It's very quiet in Georgetown on the day before the hurricane. The skies are gray and gloomy, heavy with their knowledge of the impending violence about to be released on the town. No one is in a hurry anymore, few on the roads, no sounds but the birds. Waiting. People and nature, waiting.

 

The hurricane flag, a black square on a bright red field, can't be missed as you enter the main street of town.

 


No problem finding a parking place today. Only Aunny's Home Cooking and the Coffee Cup Cafe were open for a while this morning. Sand bags were being delivered to the side of the street on the harbor, ready to be stacked against each door.

 


The shrimp boats were cozied up together for safety, tight against the dock.

First shift seems to be at work at the paper mill.

 

Hurricane shutters are pulled in tight and secured on the old houses. This is one of the oldest, built before the American Revolution. How many hurricanes have those shutters witnessed, I wonder.

 

Back through the park, the tulip trees are in bloom!

That's crazy.

They are supposed to bloom in the spring.

We have reservations at a hotel a couple hours inland for tomorrow night and Saturday night but we are still hoping we won't have to go. The predictions of Matthew's path are tantalizing as we are north of Charleston, just north of the ever-changing spot where it will (or won't) veer off into the Atlantic.

Don't worry; we will be sensible!

 

21 comments:

  1. We've pa med a bag, cleaned up the cat carrier, but we're waiting till the morning to make a final decision. Stay safe

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  2. Take care.. hopefully everything will be alright

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  3. All the best to you for your safety.

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  4. Been thinking about you. Hope and pray everyone down that way will be safe.

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  5. Looks as if all contingency plans are in place by the authorities as I have just
    read the latest reports on AAP news.
    Seems that the President and the 4 governors in the states in the present line
    of the hurricane have issued sensible, and the best advice, to the population.
    So just follow the reports. Good to know that your plans ensure that you have
    accommodation way inland. Very sensible.
    Drive carefully if you have to evacuate and get an early start as roads will be
    clogged.
    Hopefully "Matthew" will veer out into the Atlantic.
    Cheers
    Colin

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  6. Thinking of you and I know you will make good decisions. I have been watching the weather channel, it is one heck of a storm :(

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  7. Thinking of you at this time and hope you will be ok..
    Take care..

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  8. Glad to hear you have made arrangements to move out if necessary. Let's hope it doesn't come to that but it looks a nasty one. Take care.

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  9. That is the first time I've heard of the hurricane flag. My hopes are that you and family remain safe. My oldest daughter lives in Miami. She was putting up her hurricane shutters two days ago.

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  10. This is really waiting for the storm as the saying is. It is amazing that the old houses still have survived all the storms in the past. It must be a strange atmosphere in town. Wish you luck, take care.

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  11. That's scary, Cynthia. I haven't caught the news today yet - I hope you and everyone over there are OK. As others have said, 'take care'.

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  12. Ominous looking photos there. Hope all will be well and Mathew makes that right turn...

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  13. I wonder how many hurricanes those old homes have weathered too. It's amazing how well the craftmanship was that they are still around.
    Best wishes for sure and the best of luck
    betsy

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  14. I wonder how many hurricanes those old homes have weathered too. It's amazing how well the craftmanship was that they are still around.
    Best wishes for sure and the best of luck
    betsy

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  15. Just googled where Matthew came ashore and it would be just 20 or so miles south of you. Hope you are inland. Take Care :(

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  16. I do not envy anyone in the path of any hurricane. After Hurricane Ike we lost our electricity for 15 days. (So not fun when it's so hot and humid). Half of our neighborhood got their back on after just 2 days, but us... 15 whole days. It was such a horrible feeling. You feel entirely ignored and disconnected from the world. When the electricity finally turned back on I literally felt like I was hooked up to a grid. Lol! It was such an odd feeling.

    Even our dogs and cats could feel it. We were all SO HAPPY!!!!! (Well, I assume the cats were happy. Our cats were harder to read than our dogs. Lol!)

    Kristin

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  17. Oh my gosh. I just read in your sidebar that you've been to Scotland and Ireland?! You lucky gal you!

    Kristin

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