Page 36 - LIN.NOVEMBER17WEB

heart to heart

Weathering Irma

in the heart of the storm

Another part of managing anxiety is the gathering of hurricane
kits, which include your important papers, medicines, food and
by Karen Coney Coplin water for pets and people for several days, flashlights, batteries
and a radio, as well as other valuables and sentimental items which
F or many of our readers, who arrived later than 2005, when were irreplaceable.
Wilma came to town, Irma was the first major hurricane
During times of storms, people have different diets than usual, and
they experienced. Because this came on the heels of these changes precede and follow the storm. It may be the “Hurricane”
Harvey, everyone was on high alert.
diet - on one hand, some lost their appetites; others sought comfort
But before Houston nearly drowned under Harvey’s food - and drink. As a result, whether or not you participated in the
50”+ of continuous rain and wind, Naples had its own Harvey, a Hurricane “clean up” workout this time, it involved rolling 40 lb Royal
forgotten, but fierce Tropical Storm, in mid-September 1999. Palm tree logs - some found themselves leaner after the storm. Doing
Although I had been in Naples for a few years, I had never seen the this without the benefit of air conditioning also helped some shed a
streets overflow with storm water, let alone experience this lapping up few more lbs.
to the doors of my house. I remember it well - for my oldest daughter Besides weight, collectively, many of us lost the barriers we set up
had just arrived home days before as a newborn. among ourselves and the world. Though nerves were frayed, generally,
Thinking back to that “little storm” made me appreciate the degree it seemed, people did their best in trying times. They checked in on
to which the stresses Irma and Wilma before placed on all of us. Can neighbors. Patiently waited in lines. Let those in need go first for
you imagine delivering a baby in the middle of the storm, with the supplies. Volunteered at organizations serving the hardest hit, such
hospital operating on generators? Or not knowing if your baby would Chokoloskee, Everglades City and Immokalee. All over town, people
have a home in which to live, after the storm? We may live in Paradise, brought food and beverages to thank first responders and lineman
but, for a week or more this past September, I know many of us felt helping our City.
like this was Paradise lost. The streets are cleared of debris, though piles remain nearby, and,
The meteorologists provided updates every three hours. When the grocery shelves are full. Still, in this Thanksgiving month, remember
storm began tracking back to the West, the uncertainty of the path there will be many going without as Irma recovery efforts continue.
and the fears of storm surge created turmoil in our collective minds. Typically, I cover a charitable organization in this column, or write
Time to prepare - possibly for the worst. a round-up article about several with needs that you, our reader, can
For life in Naples during storm season, much of our storm prep fulfill. Here, I give a nod to three organizations who stepped in after
and planning boils down to managing anxiety. What can you tolerate? Irma and continue to help those in need for the Thanksgiving holiday
Many decided to evacuate. This decision brought other issues. Gas and beyond.
lines and shortages created new fears. What if gas wasn’t available
on the road? And, unless you got lucky or planned well in advance - HELP THOSE IN NEED
hotels were booked beyond Georgia. The Harry Chapin Food Bank
Also, the sheer magnitude of the storm meant travels might (profiled here in the Aug-Sept-Oct 2012 issue) can be reached at
place you in the harm’s way. During Wilma, many locals fled to fighthunger@harrychapinfoodbank.org
Fort Lauderdale, only to have the storm follow their course, leaving or via phone: 239.337.1399
many stranded far longer than planned, without gas, electricity
Collier Homeless Coalition
and groceries.
For Wilma, I left my 1952 home but stayed in a newer, local programs@collierhomelesscoalition.org
pet-friendly hotel. For Irma, in a different home, with a new roof, or via phone: 239.263.9363
I felt comfortable staying on, provided Irma remained a Category Meals of Hope
3 or under. But talk of the surge caused me to rethink this plan. steve@mealsofhope.org or 239.537.7775
Fortunately, I was able to remain in town in a friend’s secure home
located on a higher elevation. For me, part of grappling with the The latter two organizations will be covered in a future column. If you
uncertainties of the storm pattern was the ability to remain close have a non-profit, local organization to suggest for a coverage here, please
at hand to assess conditions and damage as soon as it was safe to email: NaplesKCC@gmail.com or message @Naplesbythenumbers.
do so, after the storm.

36 Life in Naples | November 2017