For those of us that have lived in South Florida for more than twenty years this is a "special" if not a surreal weekend. Twenty years ago today, South Florida was hit with the first hurricane in many years. Miami had grown since the early 1980s. There had been massive development of new communities and few, then residents, had lived in Miami in the 1960's which was the last hurricane most "remembered " which flooded parts of Miami and Key Biscayne. Even fewer remembered the last major, devasting, hurricane in Miami back in 1926.
This weekend, South Florida is watching Tropical Storm Issac while remembering Hurricane Andrew 20 years before. This week the groceries store shelves were cleared out of certain items. Many have spoken out loud of the memories, of fears and concerns.
This is a "loaded" weekend. While we may remember what happened to us twenty years ago, we must remain calm while taking intelligent precautions. Keep some extra cash around, buy some non perishable foods, load the car up with gas, find the battery operated radio, and for home, get a "cheapie" phone that connects to wall and is not cordless. This is a time to stock up and be ready, not to panic.
While everyone has lived through a lot of pain and growth in the last twenty years, lets focus on growth, we are better, stronger people today. We have been tested and tried and have survived. Let's focus on the positive, be smart and hopeful. Key word for this weekend KEEP CALM. : )
