Now there are doubts about how big our latest tropical storm named Rafael will be. Where will it go? Will it impact the mainland? These storms tend to attract our notice each year. Rafael is also not an exception this year.
Hurricanes can quickly develop from tropical storms. Rafael developed in the warm waters of the Caribbean. The projections have it heading for the Gulf of Mexico.
The question is not if Rafael will unleash heavy rains or high winds. It’s too soon to say. Yet history warns us to remain vigilant. Remember back to the year 2005—the year of Hurricane Katrina? It changed lives all along the Gulf Coast.
Coast watchers prepare the residents in affected areas. Stand by supplies and rehearse evacuation programs. No two storms are alike, but the possibility of lives saved is a constant.
They are looking at Rafael closely. They study where the wind patterns blow and the locations of high and low-pressure systems. Their insights guide us. Interpreting forecasts correctly is really important. It helps us determine whether it is time to seek shelter or hold pat.
Memories come back to those who live in the past. It can be intimidating to fear the future. If you survive a storm, it changes how you see the world.
In the end, knowledge is golden. Keep up to date using reputable information. Make a plan. Brace yourself for anything Rafael throws your way. It pays to be proactive.
