Flashback to Hurricane Irma - Part I The Wait is on

It's almost a year since Hurricane Irma visited Florida. Living in Tampa for 31 years, hurricanes are not new to me since I've experienced them prior in my birth town Meriden, CT. It was Hurricane Gloria that paid us a visit back in 1985 at a category 2. Already accustomed to numerous hurricane warnings in the sunshine state, some have missed Tampa luckily, others have hit us as tropical storms. All have given us a few scares here and there, but Hurricane Irma was an indecisive hurricane for me - stay or go.

We had been looking forward to my first nephew and mom's first grandson marrying the love of his life. This wasn't just any wedding. It was a very special wedding as we've been an integral part of his life. The big day was September 16, 2017 not in Florida but in St. Peters, MO. Yup in Missouri. A day we had been very excited and preparing for.

Then Hurricane Irma started brewing August 30 in the Atlantic Ocean so I had to keep not one but two eyes and ears out for it to see what its track would be. Well, Irma wanted to pay Florida a visit after all. Therefore, once the warnings started so did the preparations for Hurricane Irma - more sandbags, cash, and gasoline. As for food and water, thankfully we are always stocked up. 

On September 6, it was official Tampa was under a state of emergency, and mandatory evacuations started for flood prone areas. Lucky for us we had a majority of our wedding trip packing done way in advance. What a way to kick off Labor Day week in 2017.

By mid week, I was concerned that if Irma took a toll on Tampa and depending on the outcome, would we be able to leave Tampa to attend my nephew's wedding. Our original plan was to leave Tampa Wednesday, September 13 for the 16 or so hour drive to St. Peters, MO. I was the worried one, mom was so sure Irma wasn't coming and if she did it wasn't going to be bad. To make matters a little more worrisome, mom's right upper shoulder started acting up Friday evening. Not only was Hurricane Irma a concern, but also mom's shoulder and her well-being if we lost electricity at home.

Per news and social media, traffic on major highways heading out of Tampa was already a nightmare. I had discussed with mom once again the what ifs of Hurricane Irma preventing us from leaving Tampa for the wedding and what if she needed medical attention. It was very important for me that mom witness her grandson getting married in addition that she had medical accessibility if needed. And even with my nephew's future wife and my nephew talking to mom Friday night September 8, she was sure everything was going to be fine.

I had such a hard time falling asleep as Irma's hurricane category was like a seesaw...

Flashback to Hurricane Irma - Part II The Decision (click the link)