Exploding Mountains and Baby Turtle Fights Hurricane Irene…

I’ve read so many scary Facebook updates from my blogging buddies on the East Coast…. So, BIG PRAYERS go out to everyone over that way who is preparing for mean ol’ Hurricane Irene this weekend. So scary.

Exploding Mountains of Fire….

I live up here in Central Washington State– Yakima, Washington, to be exact. We don’t get hurricanes, so I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be facing the prospect of one headed your way. We do get heat. Big time heat. And we do get snow. Loads of snow. And once in awhile, we get exploding mountains. A few days before I was born, Mt. St. Helens blew. And I’ve heard the stories. Volcano’s are pretty nasty ladies too.

The mountain blew on May 18th, 1980. I was born on May 22nd, 1980. Imagine- You’re due any day, and you look out back, and you see a weird rain. It’s dark, not water, not snow. You listen to the radio to hear that a local mountain has exploded. The warnings come fast and frantic, and contradict each other non-stop. Don’t let it touch you. Wear a mask. No, shovel it away, it’s fine. Don’t drink your water. Don’t worry. Stock up on supplies quickly. Don’t leave your home. And you have a baby in your belly who doesn’t care about all that, and will make an appearance soon anyway.

My dad rushed to the corner store to stock up as quick as he could. He came home with beer, potato chips, and cigarettes. He’s a quick thinker, right?

Then, momma went into labor. Luckily, they were able to make it to the hospital, although cars could barely run– the ash would clog up the filters, and you had to stop to clean things every few blocks. Most of the little girls born that week were named Helen, or Ashley. Mom named me last minute…. Meagan. I had a lot of Ashley’s and Helen’s in my school classes.

Hurricane Irene

I have been watching this storm quite a bit…. Hooked, kind of. So worried for the friends –both in real life, and those that I only know online– that I have in the area. The online gaming buddies that my boyfriend plays with  told him about an hour ago that they had to get offline, things were getting crazy, people were panicking a bit, and they had to get ready.

Storm Tracker

So I’ve been watching this– Hurricane Irene Storm Tracker, where you can see the path of the storm, updated live. If you too have friends or family there, you might find this comforting/terrifying too, depending on where the storm is compared to where your people are.

I hope that if you’re in the area, you’re ready. Not panicked, just safe and prepared.

This baby turtle clearly overestimates his hurricane-fighting abilities. He may even be like, a turtle-ninja of some sort. Still, he should be running the other way, sturdy shell or not. No one, not even a baby-ninja-turtle, should be taking chances in a hurricane.

Be safe, Please.

Don’t be like baby turtle. Everyone, please take care. Be safe. Get out of the way. Property is NEVER worth compromising your safety, right? I know that baby turtle is saying, to heck with this, I’m going in!! But don’t do it. Also, please do not be one of the brave-but-totally-crazy risk-takers who ran out into the middle of the storm while it was in the Bahama’s to take video to post on YouTube like this guy —>

I know, I know. I’m a mom now, and I can’t help it. I have to lecture and warn and convince you to stay out of trouble. It’s what mom’s do.

Let me know…. Are you preparing for the storm? Have you experienced a hurricane before? Do you have loved one’s in Hurricane Irene’s path? I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about it all….