Recording the events of Hurricame Irma's passing.
September 08 - September 15, 2017
The feeling of nature, presenting herself as a fury, showing no stoppage to mankind or any creature that so inhabits the planet. What can we do, but to press pause in our lives and experience its tenacity.
Hurricane Irma (click for link)
Friday, September 08, 2017 - 7PM
The skies have begun to turn towards a darkened shade of gray. The wind has started its persistent murmur. Rain comes from a steep angle already. The areas that have already been in the wake of this storm know these progressions all too well.
Saturday, September 09, 2017 - 7AM
A calm gray has blanketed the skies as the outer bands circle their way towards us.
Sunday, September 10, 2017 - 7AM
With each rotation of the storm's arm, the rain intensifies and the winds howl steady. And upon the passage of its outstretched limbs, complete stoppage.
The intensity drives closer..
Sunday, September 10, 2017 - 8AM
Each storm alludes to a memory of a weather event prior. The feeling of nature, presenting herself as a fury, showing no stoppage to mankind or any creature that so inhabits the planet. What can we do, but to press pause in our lives and experience its tenacity. As tumultuous as it is, it can only be matched by the resiliency of the human spirit. Carrying forward, embracing, connecting and replenishing itself between the lulls. This is an active and alive planet from any angle you look.
Sunday, September 10, 2017 - 3PM
Leading up to this day, I was unable to understand just what was so impressive about the aspects of a hurricane. I could understand how flooding would be a major threat, but otherwise its just wind and rain, right? But as I watched the persistent bending of trees and how this large, slow-moving storm relentlessly powered its gale-force winds, it occurred to me just how anything beneath this enormous storm would eventually succumb to its mighty output. As the winds rip and shred continuously, things begin to give way and the effects are compounded over time.
Sunday, September 10, 2017 - 5PM
Taking on Irma, we ventured out into the winds and rain to feel its effects head on.
Becoming soaked to the bone, we braced ourselves as wild winds whipped off the top of the roofs, twisted and growled through the street and slammed into our backs. The roar was intense. The chill became unsettling. As different bands took their turns impressing us, the winds ranged from a steady 50 to 80 mile per hour. Some would come with ghastly and dark clouds that gave a brief but menacing stare just before it would tear down the street and push past us.
Monday, September 11, 2017 - 9AM
Looking outside, we were obviously in a fortunate area, but you sense a tiredness to the land. Knowing my fortune was not shared by all, the desire to get out and help those in need rushes forward.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017 - 4PM
With the worst of our surrounding effects being loss of power and downed limbs, its hard to not be optimistic about present situations. However, quite a few seem to be complaining about their conditions. I have to remind them that its not that bad and we saw a fraction of what the storm brought to other parts. It's also important to remember events like this humble us. Reminding us that the comforts we take for granted are luxuries. Luxuries a majority of the world will never experience once.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 10AM
I am in a state of nostalgia, as I've underwent a second, large-scale natural disaster.
Experiencing the brunt force of nature and then observing it in the aftermath, I sit anxious to help. I call and investigate organizations for volunteering, but too timid to just drive to the affected areas and jump in. Mainly because its risky to not know the conditions, the efforts that are needed and whether I would be permitted access or not. The longer it goes waiting to hear back, the more and more things return to normal, and my regular obligations begin to settle back in, leaving me unavailable.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 2PM
People continue to heighten and exaggerate their words to somehow convince themselves and the people around them that they had it bad. I couldn't subscribe. I looked around and made phone calls to different areas, and yes, a storm happened, but these people were in great shape, all things considered. I suppose its comes back to a matter of how we choose to see the events and things happening to us.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 4PM
Today we removed the dive boat from its secure hideaway.
First we attempted to install a new starter, but with other components of the engine taken apart, I believe it to be the fault system preventing it from turning over. Which meant we had to tow it out from the twisty, barricaded spot it had been laid to rest in.
It also meant we had to dock it in gusty winds too. All of which was managed to do successfully and without any mishaps, but it took a lot of frustrated gesturing to get us there. We almost lost control of it a couple times, but quick acting and a bit more of that good luck on our side helped steer things along. Getting the boat out and docked by way of towing I thought was a hugely successful milestone for the path to recovery.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
A three stage effort put towards the return to normalcy. I began with finalizing the starter project on the dive boat and was able to successfully get it back to operational level. Returned the heat exchanger, topped off the coolant and took her for a test spin.
She ran great. Put her back in the slip and redid all the docking lines.
Second stage was towards the dive shop, still without power to help restore order to it.
Set up computers and the phones lines to run off the generator. I and my instructor tackled the tedious task of organizing the ensuing double class weekend. I would be taking all the students from both scheduled classes into a combined class, but we had to work out new and different locations than anticipated.
And lastly, a shop buddy had invited me to make some quick cash by helping out an elderly gentleman with raking up the scattered limbs in his yard. It was a great effort and felt so good to be helping people. My irma volunteering was complete!
Friday, September 15, 2017
And with the return of power/AC, this event has come to an end!