Hell, Humidity, Hope, and How Not to Worry About Hurricanes
It's been called the "season of nothing" because it's not Mardi Gras, football, or festival season. But it is far from nothing. With incentives created to keep the wheels turning on our primary economic engine, the tourism industry, there are plenty of summertime festivals, dining and hotel incentives, and no shortage of options inside and outside.
This allows us to keep on enjoying life in NOLA and remain distracted during the h-season, as well as invites visitors to take advantage of lower prices. We locals smugly laugh and say, "You have no idea how beautiful it is here October through April. You should come back then." They often don't, and we are fine with that.
Behind all this smugness and cynicism, a swirling shadow hangs. Once a storm in the Atlantic turns into a proper noun, we perk up. But those of us who have lived here long enough recognize, in the words of Atticus Finch, that it's usually "not time to worry yet."
And still some worry for nearly six months straight, consciously or subconsciously. Locals swap stories of past hurricanes, express their dread, and complain that they still have repairs pending from the prior hurricane. Some conclude that they can't do it anymore and move to places where a hurricane alert is as rare as a boudin ball. It's impossible to not comment on social media about a storm and not receive at least one comment such as, "Glad I don't have to deal with that anymore."
Yet there are plenty of people from the pre and post-Katrina era who have created their own survival skills and live in NOLA despite the several logical reasons not to. It's no secret that to live in New Orleans, you must keep your joie de vivre balanced with your readiness. As messy as your house may get during Mardi Gras, you know, come June, you better have your bins organized, including a few filled with the important things that might have to travel with you.
Here are some philosophical and practical suggestions for surviving HurricAnxiety:
Perspectives
"I've realized that you have to have one family member who is freaking out and one who is super organized and focused." —Ashley Merlin Gold
"Having been through too many hurricane seasons since the big hurricane of 1947, it is something that is always at the back of your mind but never more so than beginning August 1." —Coleen Perilloux Landry
"This might sound strange, but it's comforting to know that there is a community aspect in preparing for hurricane season. It doesn't matter who you are, if you live in the southern coastal areas, we're all in it together. It is a bonding moment in time and my experience is people really do look after each other." —Erin Regan MacInnes, MSW, LCSW
"Hurricane season is just different here. I grew up an hour north of Baton Rouge. We are notorious for thinking outside of the box. The ingenuity derived from that way of thinking is a key factor in recovery. We have the best food, the best volunteers, the most resilient people." —Windy Zito
"How I handle it is to not worry or stress. We always have plenty of warning about impending hurricanes." —Ann Bower Herren
"I don't say the 'h-word' out loud this time of year." —Kate Gegenheimer
Healthy Sarcasm
"Move." —Eric Pollard
"I make intricate markings on my driveway to convince the storms to pass us by." —Alexis Braud
"I look at old photos of us shoveling five feet of snow off the roof in Boston." —Jaymie Stuart Wolfe
"I sit on the seawall and have a beer." —Edward Branley
"Hip boots." —Michael Devonshire
Tried and True Tips
"Start eating out of your freezer now." —Lorelei Dicky Cropley
"Buy alcohol you don't mind drinking at room temperature. I recommend Peach Crown." —Michelle Lesslie
"Definitely have a destination/family/friends/hotel in mind." —David Johnson
"Have a stash of cash somewhere for when power and credit card machines go down." —Kimberly Kaye
"Have plenty of fluids on-hand: coffee, adult beverages, and gasoline." —Emily Federer
What if this is your first rodeo?
Well you'll have plenty of mentors to follow. At this point, there are three generations of people to go to for advice who have experienced hurricanes of all shapes and sizes since Hurricane Betsy. Assign yourself a hurricane buddy older and younger than yourself if it helps calm your nerves. Of course, tell them you've selected them for this role. They can be the person you text for advice first before you begin to embarrass yourself on social media.
What if the meteorologists tell us that all signs point to a busy hurricane season?
Wait for details. It's just like those in the medical industry tell you—worrying as you await test results changes nothing. Waiting and worrying about hurricane possibilities is a total waste of time. If getting your hurricane stuff together and putting it in a corner in the closet makes you feel more ready, then do it. Then, move on with your life. Meteorologists get paid to lose sleep over this and to get excited about any possible storm. You don't.
Should I get the new fence, driveway, countertop, or roof before or after hurricane season?
Now that is a question you must ask the palm readers on Jackson Square.
