"Nowhere To Run"
by Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan
This may be a false alarm.
I hope so.
We have not yet recovered from hurricane Charley.
and now a much bigger one, Frances, it aiming straight at us.
The media is calling it "The Hundred Year Storm",
because it's almost unheard of for a storm of this magnitude
to hit Central Florida.
This one is headed deep inland,
and the Strike Prediction Charts aim the eye at Orlando,
with the "possible strike zone" covering almost the entire state.
We plan to find a concrete block motel,
and get a first floor room,
in case the second floor roof blows away.
I've checked out motels and maps in all directions
and there is no place within a day's drive
that is guaranteed to be out of the path.
Nowhere to run.
I'll check again tomorrow when it's closer
Gas stations have long lines waiting to buy fuel,
and many of the pumps have the handles covered with plastic wrap,
meaning they are out of gasoline.
There are no batteries or bottled water left on the store shelves.
People are actually fighting over plywood at Home Depot.
Folks try to put on brave faces, but they are scared.
This storm is being compared to Andrew,
which flattened the Homestead area, south of Miami.
We hope we find our little home here when it's all over.
We'll let you know how it goes,
If we can.
Your friends,
Jack & Misty
Copyright © Sept. 1, 2004, Jack Blanchard and Misty Morgan. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission.
