Waiting on a hurricane

He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. Psalm 107:29

When I read that scripture today, Oct. 8, 2024, I processed it differently: it’s the day before Hurricane Milton arrives, and Chuck and I are here in Tampa.

I know God can calm the hurricane, but what if He doesn’t?

Before you question why we did not evacuate, let me tell you a story.

Two weeks ago, I lamented to Chuck that my heart was missing Emily, Drew, Aiden, and Leah, who live near Tampa. I have not spent time with them since early June. Chuck said, “Book a flight.” He didn’t have to tell me twice.

I was scheduled to fly home today until … Hurricane Milton told Florida he was coming in HOT on the 9th.

So here I am, buying and nibbling on hurricane snacks. I have never stocked up for a hurricane. I only know how to buy for a blizzard. Hurricane shopping is quite different from blizzard shopping.

Some people panic when they see Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel appear in their city. Having me here when the worst hurricane to hit Tampa in over one hundred years is predicted to arrive may cause those who know me to panic as well. IYKYK. (If you know, you know.) This may be the pinnacle of my traveling adventures/nightmares.

I sit here wondering if we will lose power and how long it will be before it is restored. When it comes to hurricanes, I tend to worry about the worst that could happen and not hope for the best.

I’ve prepared as best I know how. I’ve read all the hurricane to-do lists. I never thought I would find myself doing them.

Chuck bought this house in 1989. Building codes were different then, and he worries the house will fail the 100-mph wind test. We are 28 miles from the Bay.

I stalk meteorologist Denis Phillips on TV and Facebook. He’s my go-to weather guy here. He has rules for his followers to abide by during hurricanes. Rule No. 7 is … Don’t FREAK OUT. So far, I have done well. Milton is forecasted to make landfall near Tampa’s coastline after dark on Wednesday night. Hearing winds at 100-plus mph will probably have me disobeying Rule No. 7.

Here I am worrying and pondering if that palm tree will survive Milton’s wrath. I might have a few more worries other than the palm tree. (Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard)

So why didn’t we evacuate?

On Saturday morning, I got a call from Jeff, Chuck’s son, that his wife’s mother had passed. With the approaching hurricane, her funeral would be delayed until the following Saturday. I needed to book Chuck on a flight to Tampa before the storm. He arrived in time to be part of the snail-crawling traffic on I-75 as people evacuated the western side of Florida. The largest evacuation in history was on one highway. The time from the airport is usually 45 minutes. That night, it was over two hours. For obvious reasons, there were few passengers on his flight TO Tampa.

So here we are in get-er-done mode. Some things have been done out of necessity, some out of nervousness. We’ve battened down the hatches, trimmed the hedges, cleaned the mailbox, moved the lanai furniture to the garage, filled all the Tupperware with water, and put new batteries in the flashlights and battery-operated candles. If lit, all the lights will look like we are having a séance or a religious experience.

When I am anxious, I cook. I must be pretty anxious. We are eating well, as are Emily’s and Jeff’s families.

The next 48 hours will be brutal. I told Stu, my editor, I would send in my column early in case we lose power. He gave me permission to take a week off, but we then had a discussion about one of us being stubborn.

Now we wait. Have I ever mentioned that waiting is hard? Milton and my thoughts are wobbling.

When you read this, I should be back in Indiana. Milton will be old news. My hurricane memories will be tucked into my “never will I forget where I was” tab in my brain.

Waiting for this storm brings many thoughts, and my fingertips are busy tapping on my laptop keyboard.

Thoughts include what I learned during my first hurricane experience, things never to say to someone who decides not to evacuate, the best snacks to purchase for hurricane anxiety (Cheetos Puffs and Peanut M&M’s), and how to make Facebook videos to keep your friends and family informed of what’s happening.

One major thought is …

Lord, if you don’t calm the storm, please calm me. Amen.

And so, we wait. Stay tuned next week for the rest of the story.

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.