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Opinion
Hurricanes
bring problems when they aren’t expected
September
16, 2004
It’s
easy to sit back in Upstate South Carolina and be thankful the
worst destruction of hurricanes doesn’t extend quite this far
inland. It doesn’t really affect us all that much, right?
Wrong!
Many of us never really thought much about it until
recent weeks, when one hurricane followed another ….. and
another …..
We know about other weather effects of
hurricanes, of course. There have been so many tornadoes
spawned by the powerful winds from the Atlantic ocean (and
Gulf of Mexico), that it’s difficult at times to keep track.
More than 30 of them were reported around South Carolina after
Hurricane Frances. What comes from “Ivan the Terrible” could
well be more of the same.
BUILDINGS HAVE
BEEN blown away, trees have snapped, and wind damage
has caused unbelievable heartaches and discomfort, even into
the Upstate. Add the effects of flooding caused by
hurricane-brought rainfall and the damage estimates are out of
sight.
There always are runs on hardware and grocery stores
to stock up on various building supplies, milk, bread and
other staples. Gasoline availability sometimes also becomes a
major concern, as it has been for people forced to flee
Florida and Gulf Coast states.
These are, of course, the
things we expect when the weather turns freakish and angry.
There are other things, though, that we don’t even imagine
sometimes. They are so routine and mundane they never cross
our minds ….. until the results of the weather hits
home.
BECAUSE OF HURRICANE Ivan,
countless high school and college football games have been
moved or postponed, creating a world of scheduling and
logistical problems for everyone involved. That, to be sure,
touches others …… like those who have to prepare for
concession sales, for example. Add all the hassles created,
like rescheduling baby sitters and all the other planning
that’s involved, and the cumulative damages begin to
mount.
It’s also a hassle for others. Mike Stone, sports
editor of this newspaper, for instance, found himself trying
to keep up with all the changes and somehow getting it all
organized to make sense and keep his readers
informed.
Reactions to weather are many. Some, certainly,
have it harder than others. Sometimes it’s hard to find anyone
not affected. It’s times like these, though, when we see the
good in people come out ….. but, at times, unfortunately, we
see the bad, like looters and price gougers. Still we
persevere. That’s human nature.
Editorial expression in this feature represents
our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.
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