Experiencing my First Hurricane

At about midnight on Wed., Oct. 15, as I lay in my bed snuggling with my trembling cat, I realized that I was "officially" a virgin islander now - complete with a Category 3 hurricane experience under my belt. Except we don't wear belts here. Too hot.

All in all, it was an interesting and somewhat frightening experience. The most frightening thing was not knowing what to expect. Now I know. Next time won't be so unnerving.

Preparations commenced on Wed. afternoon in the pouring rain. I gathered together a few single friends and we went about the task of picking up all "loose stuff" around the house. You know, those fallen coconuts, potted plants, grills, patio furniture, stuff like that. LOTS of stuff like that. My house looked like a storage center with all of that stuff inside!

My ex and a new and wonderful friend/neighbor (thanks Ken) put up my storm shutters. That took about 3 - 4 hours and they were completely and wretchedly soaked from head to toe. Fortunately, they were not cold. It was a balmy 78 degrees.

My girlfriend and I then went about putting away all "loose objects" in the house, in case we did get a busted out window and wind got in. Man, I have a LOT of knick knacks. My next task is going to be getting rid of some of that "stuff!" I'm definitely now in a better frame of mind to SIMPLIFY!

We had hot coffee and soup for the soaked fellows - and after all the preparations were made - we had more to eat and settled in to talking and hanging out. About 8:00 p.m. the power went out - and the winds picked up.

At around 10:00 p.m., our friend Ken ventured out and went back to his place (just down the driveway). I went to bed and snuggled with my cat - who was really freaking out. My girlfriend turned in to read by flashlight. My ex stayed on the couch listening to the radio. I lay there listening to the wind and praying for our safety and the safety of all our friends. I couldn't imagine what the seas must look like- and I shuddered to think about what was happening to the boats in the harbor.

Although I was in bed - I was keeping up with the reports on my I-Phone - and learned that the storm had intensified and picked up speed - and was headed for the east end of the island rather than the west. I breathed a little sigh of relief for my condo, which is at waters' edge on the west end. At around 11:30 - it sounded like a freight train was passing over - and cell service was lost. The lightening and thunder were constant and our front door started to rattle noisily.

Amazingly, I must have fallen asleep shortly after that, and when I awoke around 2:00 a.m., it was really quiet. We made it! What a relief!

By 6:00 a.m., everyone was up surveying the damage. We had a couple of very large trees down - both just a few feet from our house. Whew! The streets were littered with debris, downed lines, fallen trees. My girlfriend was anxious to get back to her place to survey the damage there - but we couldn't get more than a quarter mile from my house! We also learned that there was a curfew till 11:00 a.m. to allow the emergency workers to do their thing. And kudos to them - they have done an outstanding job of clearing the roads and getting the power and services restored quickly. When we did get out (around noon on Thurs.) - much of the debris had been cleared and the roads were relatively clear. I was and continue to be impressed!

All in all, it was bad, but it could have been so much worse. I believe about 30 boats were lost (my sympathies to you boat owners...) and who knows when our power, internet, and phones will be fully restored - especially on the hard hit east end. But what matters is, we all made it. And, we are coming together as a community to clean up and rebuild.

And the Brew Pub and Coconuts on the Beach are serving. The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day here in paradise. And there's no place on this earth I'd rather be.

I can help make your dreams come true of life on a Caribbean Island.  Visit my web site and request my Relocation Package or Guide to Retirement in the Virgin Islands.

Kim Lucas, REALTOR
www.retireinthevi.com
www.kimlucasvi.com
kim@coldwellbankervi.com
340-626-3758