Wednesday morning and Ed’s wrapping up the last of the storm prep.Shutters are up. Outside stuff is inside. Car is packed. And, he’s ready for the wait-and-see day.
The Cat 5s are delighted with the stacked furniture; sort of like DisneyWorld for cattens. Gives them a whole new appreciation for fun things to do.
Folks wonder why anyone would stay on the island. So here’s a couple things to keep in mind:
- We are at the end of the road. If it weren’t for the bridges, we’d be as isolated as any of our fellow Caribbean island friends. There’s really no where to go. Remember, we are about 150 miles from Miami.
- No gas. Even if we made it to Miami, there’s limited to no gasoline to get us farther north. No one wants to run out of gas on the Florida Turnpike or Alligator Alley.
- Some — actually a LOT — of Key West folks don’t have cars anyway, so there’s no way for them to head out.
- No where to stay. See above. No vacancies. No friends or family up north. Key West is home. One wouldn’t leave Puerto Rico, or Cuba, or the Bahamas, or the Virgin Islands, right? Folks forget that the only thing that makes us different is that series of bridges hopping from one island to another down the Keys.
- Can’t get back in. Again, see above on the bridges. If a hurricane blows bridges, we don’t get home. Maybe not for weeks. Months? And, yes, that would also mean residents are isolated with no food, water, electricity. Those are scary concepts, which is why folks DO evacuate. It’s a conundrum and that’s why so many wait until the last day or two to make a go-stay decision.
- The city has ordered a mandatory evacuation. That was expected and it was the right move. If folks decide to stay, they do so knowing they are taking enormous risks. And, they’ll pay the price — literally and figuratively — for staying. See above.
But, before judging too harshly, consider the context. Evacuating Key West is not as easy a decision as evacuating Miami or Naples or Orlando. We are, as the tourist advertising says, a place like no other at the end of the road.
Here’s hoping Ed and the cats have a safe next few days & Irma turns before she gets to Key West. Good luck to you all…
Needless to say, I’m with Ed and the cats in spirit, whatever the decision. Hoping for the best.
Hope with all my heart you will be safe. Key West is truly Paradise and if I lived there it would be a difficult decision to make. Wishing you the very best!
Linda, Ed and kitties
All thoughts/prayers for the best outcome for you all during this stressful time. Remembering your pool time at the Y, perhaps you remember me. Always enjoyed you and Ed in the water aerobics class.
Ed, you certainly have the drill down for storm preparation. Please take care.
Please stay safe Linda & Ed. (& kitties) Don’t think this is anything to fool around with, serious business.
Linda, I understand what you are saying but I have to say. The bridges are still up. It’s 150 miles to Miami. Run. Get to Miami ditch the car take a plane train or rent a car with a full tank of gas. Run. Running is better than dying. I know let’s have the cats take a vote. What do you think? I think I know and you know their vote.
Running is good. Running is OK, I learned how to run being born in Detroit. You stay alive that way. You can look up at a sunny sky and play games with the clouds. You can breathe the frigid cold air of winter and be amazed that you are still alive. Alive. That is the key. Alive.
Good Luck and God Bless.
There are no cars to rent, flights to take, gas to buy, If you were here, you would understand the emotional toll this is taking on us. Pray for us and please stop telling us what we should do, At this point we need your support not your admonishments.
Hey, Abbey. I totally understand. If you’ll check a couple of my later posts you’ll see that my husband is staying on-island for exactly the reasons you mentioned. Be safe, my new friend. And stay in touch here or on the Facebook page. I’m doing my best to keep folks connected.