A Recent Reminder
If you live in central North Carolina, you were reminded just recently how quickly weather conditions can change as well as how challenging they can be.
The final Monday of September, a day that started out to be an 8 on a scale of 10, quickly turned to one of the ugliest days we have seen in a while. The deep blue sky garnished by puffy white clouds went through a rapid transformation to a dark and threatening scene.
The beautiful fall breezes that blew their way across the region for much of the day strengthened as though mother nature had provided them a shot of adrenaline. The powerful blow knocked down trees, filled streets with sticks, twigs and anything else that could not resist the powerful force.
The line of strong storms crossed the area at about 30 miles and hour with the sun reemerging almost immediately afterward. It was a comfort to see the glowing sun as the threatening dark clouds departed. The brilliant golden rays of the sinking evening sun revealed pictures that would leave many with surprise.
The storms blasted through the Triad area during the height of the evening rush hour. The falling trees knocked out power to a large portion of Greensboro’s northwest side, rendering many traffic signals useless. As the sun set, over 20,000 residents would relive the following hours as did their ancestors, with no electric lights, televisions, electric can openers, or other devices that are such a part of our daily existence. Many other communities from Winston-Salem to Raleigh experienced similar conditions.
The image and color of my words should become a canvas for your thoughts regarding your level of preparedness. What was strange to me, was that not two hours before those storms darkened an otherwise unsuspecting sky, I had taught two classes as part of the North Carolina Department of Insurance Continuing Education Program. Oddly enough, the classes were “Hazardous Weather Preparedness”, and “Driving in Hazardous Weather Conditions”. Those who attended the classes must have thought this was all prearranged.
We never know when these events will unfold and how drastic they may become. In the posts to come, I will share specific incidents and thoughts with you how you may be better prepared to deal with twists and turns, challenges and opportunities given us my mother nature. I will even share some photos and links with you; I hope you will feel free to share with me as well.
I am always interested in your comments, so don’t hold back. Feel free to pass on your experiences, they may be of great interest and even help to others.
Sunshine to you!
Randy Jackson