This isn't really fair, because I believe the Carolinas get hit by more storms than we do - we just get the reputation. Some people swear they would not live in a place that gets hurricanes, but to me earthquakes and tornadoes are worse. At least with a hurricane you get plenty of advance warning and can get the heck out of town!

In the marsh a hurricane is just pretty much more rain and wind than normal, and after a storm there is little visible damage. Deadwood and birds nests are blown from trees, Maple trees are blown over, ripping their shallow roots off the ground, and the water level comes up, but the marsh is well designed to handle wind and rain.

The supple willow and myrtle trees bend and blow with the wind. Palm trees have leaves that are designed to hold on in the highest winds, and a big round rootball that makes the them nearly impossible to blow over. There are a few huge old oak trees that just stand there and take it, but take it they do!

The falling rain raises the water level quickly, which submerges the lower plants and bushes, protecting them from being stripped of their leaves in the high wind.

Birds take to their roosts and to the ground - along with 'gators, rabbits, deer, raccoon and every other living thing in the wild. Anything that can be underwater is, and if they can burrow on down into the mud that's even better.

Once the storm has blown over the water drains away quickly, leaving the plants to shake off the water and the animals come out and sun themselves. The landscape might have changed a little, but life picks up and goes right along.

<<< SideNote: It has always been my theory that if you had to be out in the marsh in a hurricane you could dig in amongst the willows and just ride it out. So long as a tree doesn't fall on your head, you don't get struck by lightning, or the water doesn't rise deep enough to drown you, you should be fine. This is just a theory, mind you, and I'm not at all anxious to test it. >>>

There is a lot to do to prepare for a major storm heading your way, and civilization is not quite as flexible as the wilds during violent acts of nature. Depending on the severity of the storm you can expect anything from slight flooding and damage from flying debris to total decimation of your entire town with no utilities, groceries or water for 2 - 4 weeks - or more. Typically, a day or two after the hurricane has passed we get a day of incredibly heavy rain that causes as much, if not more, damage as the storm.

You need to stay informed as to the progress and direction of the storm, prepare your home, gather your supplies, and decide whether to stay and ride it out or to evacuate. Here are a few pages of background information on hurricanes, local storm history, and checklists I use for preparing my home and packing my survival kit.

Storm Information - How are hurricanes named... what are the different categories... links to storm tracking maps you can download... links to up to the minute weather reports and radar images

Storm History for this area - Is it true we have supernatural protection against a big storm?

Preparation - Whether you are riding it out or evacuating you need to prepare your house, pets, computer, papers, car... this is what I do to get ready.