The Day before Milton arrives

                                The Day before Hurricane Milton arrives

         It is Tuesday, the eighth of October, in the year of our Lord, 2024. The rains had started last night and will continue all day. They are not yet a deluge, but steady. Forecasters advised that these are the product of another coastal system and not really related to Milton. The grounds around us are saturated and the roads are already ponding.

         We had been out early this morning in the rain. Some sense of normalcy reasserted itself. Five of us were in the gym at 8 A.M., trying, as usual,  to turn back the years. Faithful maintenance chief Shane Hanley was manning his post. God Bless him. He always puts our community first. We stopped by and talked with this capable lad. He is originally from the Corning, N.Y. area and we had lots in common. 

         Afterwards, we had hoped that our faithful Panera Bread store might offer up some of their wonderful coffee. But, alas, they were closed. Many of the local businesses had been spooked and closed a few days in advance of the storm. Publix, the big grocery chain hereabouts would be open until Noon.  The parking areas around them were jammed with last minute shoppers. Fortunately, our pals at the New York Bagel shop were open until noon. We got some of their delicious coffee and headed on back to the ranch.

            In general, things have quieted down right now. The rain is still falling in sheets. Forecasters now say that Hurricane Milton’s  land fall will be in the Tampa area, so that is a better for Southwestern Florida. The Tampa Mayor has issued a very quiet but stern warning to its coastal residents. “If you don’t obey the evacuation orders, then please write your name and birth date on your arm in ink, so emergency personnel who will know whom to notify after your passing.” This is how serous they view the threat from Milton.

         The highways North towards Georgia have been clogged with bumper to bumper traffic, of those fleeing the storm. The area hotels are all sro, (standing room only)-no room at the Inn. Even one of the T.V weather casters had been bumped and announced he would be sleeping on the news room floor for the next few days. A niece of mine and her child had evacuated from coastal New Port Richey to Orlando, for the duration. Various public shelters are opening around Lee and Collier Counties today to house the evacuees. County officials had even thought to offer free bus rides and uber rides to anyone who needed shelter, but couldn’t get there. Authorities have been pretty much on top of preparations for the storm. This was certainly not their “first rodeo.,” bless them for their diligence.

        Though the forecast for landfall was north of us, in the Tampa area,  the tornadic monster could change course at any time, within a range of fifty miles north or south,  before it hits land. All of the barrier islands around Fort Myers are all under mandatory evacuation orders. That is where most of the damage will occur from flood surge, estimated at six to ten feet. Memories of Hurricane Ian, from two years ago, were still fresh in everyone’s mind. That pernicious wall of water had rolled over the SW Florida barrier islands like a tsunami, inflicting horrendous damage in both life and property.

        For our community of Estero,  the winds, even if Milton veered north to Tampa,  would still blow across our bow at 74-100 mph. It is that force that will do the damage. But, we can fix any property damages afterwards. We are ready and waiting for Milton to arrive. The storm is supposed make Tampa landfall about 2 A.M. on Wed, night. It should be reduced to a category three hurricane by that time. But, that is a big enough storm to do real damage to the coastal communities, including our area. 

        We were as ready as we will ever be for what comes to us on Wednesday evening. One piece of good advice came to us late in the day. Prepare a "go" bag. Include toiletries, medications, credit cards, cash and passports. Throw in comfortable clothes for two days. This way, if the effluvium impacts on the rotary oscillator, you will be ready to grab and go on short notice. If things get that bad, no one would be calm enough to remember everything. It is good advice.

On a whim, we invited newly arrived friends from Milwaukee over for Pizza and Euchre this evening. It will help to take all of our minds off of the storm to come.

May the Good Lord look out for everyone in Milton’s path.

                                               -30-

                                             (787 words)

                                         Joseph Xavier Martin