There's a strange electricity that runs through this small town when there is a threat of a storm or hurricane. A much laid back community that is only two miles by four miles prepares in a variety of different ways. As we prepare we see the news broadcasters on Duval Street over by the La Concha hotel warning us of what is to come and what is expected from the storm.
A good majority runs to the gas stations to fill up just in case they need to make a last minute dash to the mainland, well those of us that have cars down here. Water, batteries, and canned goods go quickly, also wood from the local hardware stores. We try to prepare the best we can. There's only one way in and one way out of the Florida Keys and if a bridges should ever collapse it would be a while before we could get some much needed supplies.
Every one boards up their homes and businesses. Friends and families pull together to help one another with boarding up, shopping, tying the boats down and getting yard debris out of the way so there won't be so many projectiles.
Key West has a strong religious community and some of us go and pray. At St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic church there is a beautiful little grotto which is believed to ward off the brunt of any strong hurricanes that should ever threaten the island. The grotto was built by a nun in 1922 in the memory of 800 that perished in one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit Key West. Ever since then all major hurricanes have missed Key West. There are even masses held there for those that believe.
Many of the local bars will stay open. If you are going to ride out a storm why not ride it out with friends and liquor. The electricity usually goes out so there's nothing like having drinks and conversation with friends while you wait out the storm.
The old timer conchs, people that have lived here all their lives, do not worry for much. They will not leave and some never have left any further than the next island over. They do not heed the warnings that are given to us from the television news or radio news. They have what they need, baton down the hatches and wait out the storm.
It's almost ten in the morning on Monday the 18th of August. It is cloudy outside and I can hear the wind picking up outside. I'm sitting here writing and watching the Channel Seven news. My husband has gone off to work and will be home briefly around two before he heads to his other job. I'm guessing his jobs do not worry about the safety of their employees or the needs of their employees families. Neither of his jobs will close. As for my job it is closed today and tomorrow and we are receiving “Hurricane pay”. My boss just called to see how I was doing and to make sure everything was taken care of and we are safe at home. Because that's how it is down here. One Human Family.
