The Storm

People are waiting for the storm. Everywhere you go there's storm talk; there’s fear and there’s complaisance. Some of the old time locals don't pay much attention to the professional forecasters. The old one's look for signs in wooly caterpillars, birds and squirrels, and in the fact that moon will be full in the next few days and that will effect the tides.

Preparations are underway and some mandatory evacuations have been in effect for the low-lying areas near the ocean. I live in the mountains north of New York City. Our concerns here are stream flooding, heavy winds, power outages and impassable country roads. We prepare just like everyone else.

We put away the outdoor furniture, filled the extra gas tanks, checked the generator, primed and started the chain saw, cleaned the gutters from the fall's leaves, brought in extra non-perishable food items, wine too and wonder if we will again be without power as we were a year ago when Hurricane Irene became an ill-wind in the northeast. Last year one of our main roads washed out and it took six months to fix it and that was quick.

I have several large trees around my home. I've had some of the tall pines topped just in case and years ago had some the oaks and maples de-winded where several key branches were removed in order to let the wind pass through. Some of the forecasters are calling for sustained high winds and that could be a problem.

There is a sense of excitement, of anticipation before a major storm arrives. Storms invoke an atavistic instinct in humankind. We prepare for a battle, the adrenalin awaits it's calling and we become vigilant and alert. Some people become careless and go where the danger is. Curiosity kills the curious who seemingly see themselves as invincible. It's a strange if not a mystical attraction to danger.