Hurrican Season is off to a good start with two named storms already. Bertha is plunging across the Atlantic in search of a target. One of the reasons I like Aruba so much is that the island is south of the hurricane track. In a worst case, it receives the back spin of a storm passing to the north, as is illustrated in my novel, An Island Away. Even that is a rarity. Miami, on the other hand, gets hit on a regular basis, although not lately. Below is a photo from a hurricane that struck the city in September of 1926. The photographer jokingly calls the beach the new “drydock.”
That’s a decent size ship there on the left and a barge on the right. The motor launch at the far left does have the look of a rum runner, doesn’t it? I could see Hemingway on her, or maybe a bunch of guys steaming up from Cuba with cigars, bootleg booze, and a story to tell. Those were the days. And to think the smugglers of today think they invented something new. The only difference is they use airplanes.
Anyway, calm weather gives the good sailor a chance to repair. So be sure to keep an eye on the weather. Don’t ignore hurricane warnings. These storms are among the most powerful on earth and once they are upon you it is too late. There’s no place to hide. As far as smuggling goes, well, if it’s material for a good story, I might be inclined to listen. Send me a note about what you’ve been up to. Thanks.
The Bent Page 
The difference between today with satellites and what was known about hurricanes a 100 years ago is astounding. When the 1900 hurricane wiped out Galveston TX, they knew it was coming when the clouds showed up off the beach. Makes comparison to storms tracked and measured by satellite out in the center of the Atlantic, difficult when comparing older records near — if not impossible.
Just today the local weather said there has never been a hurricane form off Africa this early, the question not asked – since when — Since satellites were up there about 30 years ago, or over the last eons. Misleading analysis at best.
Nowadays we record every ripple, all the ‘tiny tims’ make it into the record book, giving at best a skewed if not biased picture of what is really going on with storm numbers and tracks.
Hi Daniel,
Riding those storms out are not always what many would call fun. I hope there are none that make landfall this year. Let’s just say that I’m watching Bertha closely. We were hit by a Bertha before. Not necessarily wanting to be hit again.