should I be happy or sad today? :-)

[msbee]

well, it's finally here.. the day we have all been waiitng for, either with excitement or dread.
In my case, it is a little bit of both.
I love, as do you all, to follow the course of tropical waves as they make their way across the Atlantic. The excitement of seeing something develop, watching the satellite loops, all of that is seeing Mother Nature at her best.
On the other hand, having lived through more hurricanes than I can count and having seen more damage and heartache than I ever want to see again, I approach hurricane season with a sense of dread.
It is 6 months of having your emotions run all over the place:
interest,excitement,awe,fear,anxiety,relief..relief that this storm didn't hit you this time. Then the emotional roller coaster starts all over again because you worry about what the next one will do.

For those of you who do not live in the hurricane belt, you might not understand all these emotions. For any of us who have ever experienced a hurricane and never want to again, June 1st is not necessarily the best day ever.
So please remember when you get all excited about a possible storm that ,some of us, while sharing your excitement, may also
be experiencing a sense of deep fear and worry!

Here's to a safe hurricane season for everyone!

[cycloneye]

I coincide with all your statement 100% as I have to balance too how to face the season after 3 hurricanes making landfall in my lifetime vs how I track the storms with enthusiasm.

[OuterBanker]

Let's review. Bertha, Bonnie, Dennis, Fran, Floyd and Isabel. And that's just since 1996. Enough already.

[vbhoutex]

Well said MS BEE!! Just about anyone along the GOM, or the Eastern Seabord should understand this unless of course they have not experienced a storm like many of us have. Hopefully they can learn from our past experiences too. Trust me. MS Bee knows of what she speaks!! If you had been through as many storms/hurricanes as she, Luis, and some of the older members like myself who have been on the coast or islands for many years you would feel the same way. I always approach the season with that same feeling.

Those feelings are exactly what make some of us get very upset with what we call "people I disagree with"(those wishing for a storm to hit them or posting "forecasts" about strength and track of a system they can't back up with facts). Yes, it is exciting to track, and even to a point, to experience a Hurricane, but I HAVE NEVER FOUND THE AFTERMATH OF A HURRICANE to be fun!!!

[wx247]

Msbee... I relate with you totally, only here it is tornado season (which really never ends). Here is hoping that we all stay safe this season!!!

[Jenniec]

Msbee, I couldn't agree more with you. Like Cycloneye, I have been through three of these storms and the last one, Georges, was really scary. I don't believe there is such a thing as being "overdue" for a hurricane and think that when your turn comes, it just does. However, today an article appeared in our local newspaper quoting Ada Monzón, one of our meteorologists. She said that during active storm cycles, statistically category 1 hurricanes seem to reoccur in our region every 5 to 7 years and for category 5 hurricanes, every 75 to 100 years. Georges was 6 years ago, and San Felipe, the great 1928 hurricane, was 76 years ago. Again, these are only probabilities and nothing in life is certain. So the motto here is, don't be scared, just be prepared.

[bevgo]

I agree and understand. Please know that the excitement over storms is not for the destruction that follows but in my case it is the thrill of the chase (cyber chase) and trying to predict what comes next and seeing the awesome power displayed by a hurricane. It would be wonderful if these storms would blow up and then just turn away when approaching land. I never would wish the devastation of a hurricane on anyone.

Stay safe!