cyclone, page-9

Stagman wrote: "This cyclone will be like hell on Earth..."

Shadowboxer, I don't know how many others have been through a Cat5 cyclone, but I was in Havana in 2005 when Hurricane Wilma hit there. I had a pretty good view from where I was and I'll never forget it. But hell on earth... I don't think so.

I later found out that this had been the most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic, an ocean famous for ugly storms. There were 295km/h winds, an awesome howling sound that lasted all night and the sounds of metallic debris hitting walls, trees knocked down etc. What I remember most clearly was the fear in the eyes and voices of the people I was with. I took a good look at the storm and then eventually fell asleep.

The tidal surge was the worst aspect of this storm, as it flooded the first floors of buildings up to hundreds of meters from the coastline. (I heard today that they expect a tidal surge of up to 8m!)

What really hit me was that well built structures weathered Wilma very well and can came out of it with minimal damage. But poorly built (read non brick) structures lost roofs, walls, balconies and there were fences down everywhere.

So, get to high ground, keep away from glass windows and keep your family near. But if you can, also try to catch a glimpse of this awesome spectacle of nature.

God bless you and yours, SB.