Preparing for a Monster Storm

Hurricane Milton is a scary, monster storm – how do you prepare? Winds yesterday hit 180 mph. Forecasters say it could be historic in the damage it causes. It smashes into the Tampa area tomorrow.

Florida’s west coast has already been hit hard by two recent hurricanes. Many just finished mucking out their house and are overwhelmed already. People are preparing in three ways.

1. Hunker down

Exhausted by previous hurricanes, some are hunkering down. Doug Fitch reported, “My cousin lost her home and car in Tampa in Hurricane Helene. Our aunts are refusing to leave Tampa but my cousin is wisely going to Miami.”

Further inland, Orlando feels safer to Journalist Stephanie Lum who says, “We’re hunkering down in Orlando, Florida. Looks like we’re in for quite an adventure…hopefully not too wild.”

2. Run

FEMA does not mince words on its website: “DO NOT DELAY — leave immediately. Staying could mean risking your life and the lives of those you care about.”

This morning, bumper-to-bumper traffic clogged the roads leading out of Tampa.

A survivor of Helene who chose to ride out the storm said, “We won’t make the same mistake again.” When the signals show you are likely in a storm’s path, sometimes the best thing you can do is run.

3. Get ready to weather & rebuild

Hurricane Helene left billions of dollars of damage last week. Some Florida streets are still flooded. Ditches remain full with standing water and debris. Communities whose wounds are freshly healed after Hurricane Ian in 2022 face the process of even greater trauma ahead.

Those riding out the storm are filling their bathtubs with water and clearing their yards of debris. Having gone through the previous storms, they know how devastating they can be and what rebuilding will require. If you’re looking for good resources to help you, here is one.

How can we help?

FEMA has the greatest resources, but has come under criticism for its response to Helene. In the absence of government help, local communities have rallied to help one another. Churches are often best positioned to help. They mobilize volunteers well.

Organizations like the one I work with, Adventures Relief, can help churches to target their aid. Churches can make a huge difference. Twenty years ago, we mobilized 4,000 volunteers to respond to Hurricane Katrina. Two years ago, we put 170 families back into their homes after Hurricane Ian.

What is your church doing? You can help them make a difference. We can help you – feel free to reach out and see how here.

In the meantime, please pray.

• Pray for the families who will soon lose their homes and those who have already lost them and are still trapped by floodwaters.
• Pray for the elderly and vulnerable who are struggling to recover.
• Pray for the relief workers and volunteers who will be desperately needed.