Handling the Storm

Maybe.  I hadn’t realized that south Louisiana was the target for this storm until late afternoon yesterday.   And I have to admit I did feel some anxiety rising in my core.

Update: tropical storm Barry predicting 18-24 inches of rain in our area

This morning the weather is typical of not just an approaching storm, but an approaching hurricane.   Those of you who have lived in hurricane prone areas know the feeling in the air, it’s just different.   When I went out with the dogs this morning I guess that’s when it really hit me, that feeling.

Don’t get me wrong, I would rather live in a hurricane area than in tornado, blizzard or earthquake areas.  And hurricanes and floods are relatively rare in Baton Rouge.  I understand that, living here all my life.  One flood and maybe 10 hurricanes have directly affected me either here or New Orleans.

Audrey, Betsy, Camille, Andrew, Allison, Katrina, Gustav and Issac.

This new one doesn’t have a name yet, Invest 92 will be called Barry if it develops in the next few days.  At 80%, it most likely will grow stronger.  If you look at the track potential, it is very likely it will track over us.  We know it is the water that terrifies me.

Last night when Carrie picked sawyer up, she said a few things about handling the approaching storm and me learning that the house isn’t going to flood every time it rains.  I know I’m not the only one who feels this anxiety as the storm approaches.  There is a lot of PTSD survivors from that 2016 flood.  A lot of us are out there.

 I can truly say that I hope in her lifetime she never experiences what we went through.  No one can fathom losing everything you own in a single day.  You have to experience it.  It does change you.  It is very real.

I can honestly say I feel the storm coming.  I will get through this, I don’t expect it to flood or that we will lose everything again.  I can’t un-live what I lived.  Supportive family and friends help.

Hopefully it will rain enough to water the lawns, but not enough to overwhelm the systems that carry the water away.  And that those of us dealing with the internal demons have those around them who help them move through the days.

Thank you who have followed from the beginning and shared experiences and have posted comments supporting me and my mental health!  it has been cathartic and so valuable to know so many care.

It is interesting that even still that here in our work and leisure groups, after nearly 3 years, we still talk about the flood and the feelings that still affect us.

Keep talking to me!