Hurricane Earl is to be taken seriously. As of the 2am National Hurricane Center update he is packing 140mph winds, hurricane force winds stretch 90 miles from the center of circulation and tropical storm force winds stretch 200 miles from the center. Warnings and watches are up all along the Eastern seaboard from North Carolina to Maine!
North Carolinians should already be prepared. Further to the north now is the time to take precautions. We all know the drill. Flashlights and batteries, non-perishable foods, board windows or tape them, secure patio furniture or other potential debris that could become dangerous projectiles. PETS INDOORS PLEASE!
If you have elderly or infirm friends, relatives or acquaintances in Earl's path, take the time to ensure their safety. HEED ANY AND ALL EVACUATION ADVISORIES AND ORDERS! Keep an eye on local news and weather reports. Following the storm, should volunteer assistance be requested please do so willingly, eagerly and cheerfully. If you have the means, cook for those without the ability to do so, and deliver food.
Emergency assistance groups are reconsidering the benefits of recommending the purchase of candles in advance of storms, because many do not take necessary safety precautions and people and property wind up damaged due to fire. If you utilize candles please monitor them, never leave them unattended especially if you have young children or pets who may knock them over, or otherwise cause a conflagration.
Use common sense and common decency. If you think you are in a position to help you most likely are. Step out and take the risk of erring on the side of doing the kind gesture. In times of need communities are typically strengthened big time. These are not times to lay low and not take action, exactly the opposite. In times of need acts of kindness, random or patterned, pay boku dividends. Please do not hesitate to help your neighbor.
In times of crisis, indeed in all times, the only criteria any of us should be utilizing in any decision we make is whether it motivated and meets the standards of unconditional love. If we act solely on this basis we will make no errors.
God bless all of us in Earl's path, may we benefit from adversity and may casualties not occur. Nevertheless Dear Lord, Thy will--not mine--be done. Our's is not to question nor even comprehend Your wider plan, allow us only to be instruments for Your use and for the peace of our bretheren. These things we pray in the immaculate and precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen.
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