Hurricane Irma

[Gemini]

This has caused such devastation in Florida, surrounding islands, and the Caribbean.
Lives have been lost and residents told to evacuate.
It is so scary, as natural events like this that cannot be controlled are. As one who loves and has been to Florida many times, it is unimaginable to see it like this.

I hope it passes soon, with no more loss of life.

[Enfys]

It's so shocking, I feel so sorry for all the people who have lost their homes.

This brings back memories of when we were in South Carolina a few years ago and had to evacuate the day after we arrived because of a hurricane. Very scary times.

[Nanto2girls]

Never been to Florida,but we have been to the Caribbean a few times.The majority of homes there,are only built with matchwood.
It's common to have these storms in the Caribbean, so why not build better/stronger houses.
I suppose it all comes down to money.

[Oma]

Those poor people , it lashed down last night and B said can you imagine this 100 times harder with 185 mph winds , must have been so scary , Watching the news and one lady in a school hall said we can re build homes we cant bring back the dead , she was so right but it will be hard going for them ,
B's cousin moved back home last year after living 15 years in Tamper shes been in touch with a lot of her friends there and they are all ok and in shelters as of last night anyway ,

[Shemadee]

Very concerned about a friend from a support group. She is 80 (but could easily pass for 65) born in Kent but lived in the US since 1946. She seemed to be reluctant to leave her home in Florida. My Facebook has been hacked so can't open it to see what is happening now. It must be hard to face all the upheaval but better to keep safe and not endanger your life and probably others who may have to try and rescue you.

[Daisy]

A Cuban friend of ours who lives in Moron says all he can see is devastation. He thinks that the causeway connecting mainland Cuba to the Cayos where the resorts are has been destroyed. The tourist industry is their lifeline and if the hotels have been destroyed I dread to think how hard this will hit them for many years to come. Many Cubans build their houses bit by bit as materials become available and I can't even imagine how much hardship this hurricane will cause these hard working people who have very little anyway.

Some years ago we were caught in a tropical storm in Florida and it was terrifying. This hurricane is so much worse.

[Daisy]

I've spent quite a while tonight trying to find out if various friends in Cuba are safe, but there is very little communication in the area, no power, no food and no drinking water. The hurricane has devastated the wildlife, too.

[Shemadee]

Had an e-mail from my friend today. She did move out and stay with friends so common sense prevailed! She has just heard that power has been returned so is going home to find out how her house fared! Main thing is she is safe!

[Daisy]

Shem - that is so true. Buildings can be rebuilt and possessions replaced. I'm glad to hear your friend is safe and hope the damage isn't as bad as she fears.

We're gradually hearing news of Cuban friends - thankfully all safe - but the hotels most of them work in have been all but destroyed so they will have no job until rebuilding is complete.

[Nana]

I can't imagine what it's like. Terrifying I imagine. Then loosing family or friends. Glad Shem's & Daisy's friends are safe. I can't imagine the devastation ...the thought of your house being flattened to the ground.

Not only this but I saw on the news those poor people being moved out of their country...calling it ethnic cleansing I believe. I don't know the politics of it all but don't need to. So sad to see the really underfed children too. I hope all these suffering people are helped & cared for soon. Unhappy times for them all.

[Plantaholic]

Religion, religion, religion! Poor souls, where are they to go.

[Gemini]

...and now Hurricane Maria, more devastation, and the terrible earthquake in Mexico, with many lives lost