by Cheryl Batavia

Hurricane Milton

Photo of a hurricane by NASA from Unsplash

Hurricane Milton

Monster storm approaching

from the Gulf of Mexico…

Days of rain and wind,

watching hurricane news…

endless models and predictions.

Considering our options,

we decide to shelter in place.

Gusty winds howling

around the corners of our house,

blowing rain against the windows,

dry palm fronds falling.

Darkness descends, storm subsiding.

Power fails;

we go to bed early.

Soothing breezes rustle trees.

Ecstatic the worst is over,

talking, laughing, loving

by the glow of a tiny flashlight.

Lying in bed, holding hands,

enjoying bands of thunderstorms,

last vestiges of the hurricane.

Grateful to be alive,

happy we still have each other.

No TV, no internet, no phones…

Our thoughts turn

to the people northeast of us,

wondering how they fared

in the path of the storm.

Copyright© 2024 by Cheryl Batavia

Epilogue: After the Storm

A week later, our power returned, and we became aware of the devastation in nearby cities and communities. Milton was a major hurricane. Due to storm surge, high winds, and numerous tornadoes spawned by the category 3 storm, people in several states lost their homes, businesses, vehicles, and boats. Roads and other infrastructure are damaged or destroyed. More than a dozen people lost their lives.

Electrical, roofing, and general construction companies, military personnel, and relief workers from many states have come to help those who suffered losses in Hurricane Milton. There are many heroes in our region in 2024!

This poem was written shortly after Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida on October 9th. I was on break, and didn’t post it.

Robert’s sister and daughter visited for three days last week. We wanted to take them to a nearby beach, but beach restoration is still not finished. A tsunami-sized wave had washed sand up on the beach higher than the two-story restaurant where we had lunch. The bulldozers are still leveling sand, and the beach is still closed!

39 Comments

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Yes, I think the hurricanes are getting worse. Ian, the storm that hit our area a couple of years ago was the largest and wettest in our history. ⛈️🌀 🌊

      I am happy that you enjoyed the poem. Thank you for your lovely comment. Robert and I live a very quiet life and try to enjoy the simple things. 💕

      I hope you and your family are doing well! 🪻🌼🌷

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  3. Unknown's avatar

    I’m so pleased you guys came through the hurricane relatively unscathed, but it’s so sad to hear about the communities that suffered from the full brutal horrors of the hurricane… wishing all the best, Cheryl 💕🤗🌏

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you Ivor. 💕 Florida has been hit very hard by hurricanes the last few years. We had considerable damage to the house during Ian, but it was all repairable, and we were OK.

      Milton was a terrible storm that flattened a lot of property. Thankfully, most people survived it without injury. Homeowners insurance has greatly increased in cost, especially in coastal areas.

      All that happened to us from Milton was a week without power. I am now an expert at washing dishes in a small amount of cold water, by flashlight! 🍀

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  4. Unknown's avatar

    Thank you, Cheryl, for the reminder how cruel nature can be. I love your description how you both copped and stayed safe. I was impressed by so many companies and people helping those in need without expecting anything in return. I just watched your dreadful Trump saying that devastated Ukraine should pay for the help as if he was a market trader. It is a code of decency that we help anyone in need without first assessing what we can get in return.

    Joanna

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Joanna, for your very kind comment. 💕 During Hurricane Ian a couple years ago. the response was amazingly well-coordinated. We had people from electrical and construction companies from all over the country. Military personnel passed out water, ice, food, and tarps to cover damaged roofs.

      I should not start saying what I think about Trump. The negative adjectives alone would fill a book. He is being described in the news as “transactional,” a very polite term for how he operates. No empathy, ignorant, lawless, manipulative, vengeful…You get the idea!

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Maggie, for your empathetic comment. 💕 Though hurricanes are scary, I resolved a long time ago not to live in fear.

      After stocking up on batteries, bottled water, ice, and nonperishable foods, you watch the news until the power goes out. Then you try to get news on the radio. We never put our storm shutters up. If it got too bad, we would have gone to a room without windows.

      During Ian, I sat up in bed watching the storm out the window as trees from the wooded lot next door fell on our house. There was some damage. The insurance company repaired the damage and replaced the roof. We have been very lucky.

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you for your reply, Arlene.❤️ Hurricanes can be deadly and destructive, but you need to focus on doing what needs to be done to be prepared and to stay safe. In the old days, people could be surprised by storms, but meterologists now give plenty of warning so that people can prepare or evacuate.

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Ivor. Hurricane season starts in June. I am planning a road trip with my daughters before then. We are hoping that hurricanes skip Florida altogether this year. We have had 4 in the last 10 years, and 2 of those were last year. 🌀🌊⛈️

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you so much, Rupali, for your kind concern. 💕🌹💕 We feel reasonably safe.

      Hurricane season officially begins June first, and we will be well-prepared. Our house is not in a flood zone, is constructed to current hurricane codes, and has a new roof.

      Since Hurricane Ian, there are no trees left in the empty lot next door that could fall on our house.😅

      I hope you are safe and well. going into the monsoon season. Take care! ❤️

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  10. Unknown's avatar

    A beautiful poem depicting your real feelings, Cheryl. I had seen the devastation on the tv. I’m happy that you two were okay despite facing the hardships like fallen trees and power cut. 🙏💐

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you so much for your kind remarks, KK. 💕❤️💕 Yes, I think the poem does express my feelings during Hurricane Milton.

      Hurricane season here is from June through October. We feel well-prepared and relatively safe. Our house is constructed to current codes and we are not in a flood zone. Since hurricane Ian a couple of years ago, there are no trees in the empty lot next door that could fall on our house.

      I hope you are doing well. Wishing you a blissful day! 🌸🌺🌻🦋

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      1. Unknown's avatar

        Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing additional information! I’m happy that your house is not in a flood zone. Wish you all the best 🙏💐❤️

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Punam, for your thoughtful response! ❤️The power of nature is impressive and can kill and destroy the work of human beings! Fortunately this storm has relatively few casualties, though many homes snd businesses were wiped off the map.

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  12. Unknown's avatar

    Nature has its way to show it is still there and can be dangerous. Humans will die; everything will come to an end but simultaneously the things start restoring. Nature restores itself. Every second a new baby is born. Everything feels to be always going.
    Love your poems, always.

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you so much, Ritish, for your perceptive and empathetic comment. 💕 The cooperation that follows disasters is truly inspiring! I wish we had more of that spirit of cooperation in everyday life.

      There are a few people who follow disasters to take unfair advantage of others. An example of that is the out-of-state contractors who overcharge people because they can. We had a guy who came after Hurricane Ian to remove the trees that had fallen on the house. He had the nerve to tell us God sent him! Then he overcharged and left a mess behind. We had to hire someone else to clean up behind him!

      Thank goodness, such opportunists are the exception! Most people are honest and kind.

      Hope you are doing well, Ritish! You are one of the good guys, finding the heros in dialy life! 💐

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      1. Unknown's avatar

        Disasters bring out the best in people, but also frustrating how a few take advantage of others when they’re most vulnerable. I guess every storm, literal or metaphorical, reveals both heroes and opportunists. Wishing you and your community strength and smoother days ahead, Cheryl ❤️

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  15. Unknown's avatar

    Oh my. That was in October. But still feels fresh. I seldom turn on the news.
    But your words are heartwarming. Holding hands and flashlights and such liveliness. A beautiful poem dear Cheryl. Enjoy and cherish those moments. Bless you

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Selma. Your reminder to cherish precious moments reminds me in the midst of busy days of what is truly important. I deeply appreciate your kind words.

      Have a blissful day! ❤️🦋❤️🌼❤️

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