PICAYUNE —
In last week’s column, I opined that Isaac was no Katrina since it had winds barely strong enough to be called a hurricane. But Isaac was a sneaky devil which flooded some communities that had not seen such high water even during Katrina. Pearl River County got about two feet of rain. Our hearts go out to the folks whose homes were greatly damaged or destroyed.
Well, Isaac moved into mid-America packing rain that was greatly needed for that drought-ridden area. The electricity came back on and we enjoyed a cool house and hot meals. No matter how many hurricanes we go through we always survey the damage, roll up our sleeves and start rebuilding our corner of the world. We generally knew what to expect but were not emotionally ready to experience what such powerful storms as Camille and Katrina did to our beautiful Pearl River County. Nevertheless, with prayer and patience, we removed the debris knowing that nature would eventually cover her scars with beautiful flora.
The bright side of the picture is this: although a storm brings destruction she also inspires good people to share and care for one another. After Camille I mounted my old Long tractor and started cleaning up the debris by dragging tree trunks and brush from around the house to a brush pile down the hill.
Then a miracle happened. A group of men, some of them about the size of Saints football players, appeared and asked for the privilege of cleaning up the fallen trees and brush from our yard. It seems that someone had tipped them off that an old gray headed guy was using an ancient tractor to clear the debris. I learned they were from Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in Stafford, Virg. and had come all the way to the gulf coast to help. And help they did. In about four hours they did more than I could have done in many days. When the place was clean they gathered around the massive stump of a fallen pine and bowed their heads in prayer. That scene was typical volunteers from all over the nation who felt compelled to go help others in a time of need.
Decades ago I moved my young family from Oklahoma, which is located in the tornado alley of the nation, to the hurricane prone Gulf Coast. We soon learned that a hurricane is more than a huge tornado. We learned, for example, that the so-called tornado season lasts from April to June while the hurricane season picks up in June and lasts until November. But there is a catch. Hurricanes and tornadoes have been known to occur in every month of the year not just when they are in season.
A hurricane and a tornado are different in the sky. The former arrives as a huge, circular mass of swirling clouds while a tornado shows up as a much smaller, dark, funnel-shaped cloud. Hurricanes are not only much larger than tornadoes but they often produce a number of tornadoes.
When Camille destroyed our beautiful pecan orchard you could see where twisters had flattened one row while leaving the next row of trees leafless and in shreds but still standing.
Not only is a hurricane larger, its powerful its wind and rain can last for many hours. Due to its huge swirling, formation, the center of a hurricane (the eye) is very peaceful but very dangerous. The eye of the storm can last from a minute or two to half an hour. Still air can become a ferocious 100 mph wind in a matter of seconds.
A tornado is just the opposite. The center, where the funnel touches down, is extremely violent generating powerful and devastating winds. A powerful hurricane can last for days, with gusts of up to 170 mph. The tornado, on the other hand quickly creates a path of destruction by winds of up to 200 mph as it rushes through.
As destructive as these storms are, there are ways to protect yourself. For instance, you can be safer if you know the terminology of the weatherperson:
Hurricane Watch - Weather conditions are well-suited for the formation of a hurricane; or a hurricane has formed but the authorities are unsure as to whether or not it will strike a particular area.
Hurricane Warning - A hurricane is coming. Generally, the hurricane will strike the area in 24 hours. If evacuation becomes necessary you will be notified by the proper authorities.
Tornado Watch - Weather conditions are ideal for the formation of a tornado. It doesn't mean that a tornado will appear. It means that early preparation is advised. Tornado watches usually last for a couple of hours.
Tornado Warning - A tornado or tornadoes have been sighted. Generally, you won't have more than a few minutes, at most, to prepare. Since tornado warnings don't give you much time to make all your safety preparations it's a good idea to respect a tornado watch.
Back in Oklahoma each family had a storm cellar dug in the back yard or under the back porch where a family could hunker down when a storm appeared. In this part qf the world where hurricanes show up yearly you need to find a safe place to stay for many hours.
Oh by the way, you will need to take plenty of food and water for the duration of a hurricane and a flashlight and battery radio if you want and tune in on what the storm is doing and see in the dark. You will also need to be on talking terms with the Lord.
Well, that's all I have to say about hurricanes and tornadoes. Just be prepared for the next big storm.
Lifestyles
Be prepared for the next big storm
- Lifestyles
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- 2013 Partners for Pearl River County By Jodi Marze The 10th class of Partners for Pearl River County celebrated its graduation at First Baptist Church on Friday, May 10, in the Fellowship Hall. The graduating class included: Jason Bounds, Nacole Dillon, Christy Goss, John Huck, Jeff McClain, Teenia Perry, Paul Reese, Brooke Rester, Eric Stafne, Richelle Stafne, Kristin Thibodeaux, Pat Tidmore, and Jim Walker. The staff is comprised of: Jo Woods, Tricia Knight, Shirley Wiltshire, Marilyn Bailey, Rod Lincoln and Scott Langlois (Program Chairman).
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Tami Harris takes state
Local business owner and community volunteer Tami Harris has won the coveted title of 2012 Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs-Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs (MFWC) Club Woman of the Year for the state of Mississippi. A member of the Civic Woman’s Club of Picayune, Harris is one of only three club members, along with Darlene Adams and Leslie Lincoln, to take the state title.
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Arboretum Paths
Last week, students participating in the 2013 Mississippi Master Naturalist Program visited the Crosby Arboretum for an all-day training. The session was part of 40 hours of field and classroom instruction they will receive, educating them about natural resource management and environmental stewardship, and is a part of their preparation to become Certified Mississippi Master Naturalists.
- Chamber Ribbon Cutting Children's International Medical Group held a grand opening and Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at their first Mississippi location, located in Picayune.
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Historic City Hall Dedication Friday
Friday, May 3 at 10 a.m. the New City Hall will be dedicated on Goodyear Boulevard. This event will coincide with the 75th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Old Historic City Hall building.
- PRC Community Band presents: An American Legacy The Pearl River County Community Band, under the direction of Johnny Baker, will present “An American Legacy: An afternoon of American music for concert bands,” on Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at the Picayune Memorial High School Auditorium.
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Arboretum Paths
On their recent tour, fifth grade students from Lamar Christian School in Purvis encountered a seemingly endless variety of wildlife, ranging from crawfish to inchworms, to writhing masses of spiny, newly-emerged caterpillars. There is no such thing as a “typical” walk around the Arboretum’s Pond Journey and Pitcher Plant Bog. Every venture reveals something new to every group of visitors.
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Beebe returns to Main Street
“I was excited when the Picayune Main Street, Inc. Board of Directors asked me to return as manager to the local Main Street program. Also, extremely grateful to Picayune City Manager Jim Luke, Mayor Ed Pinero and city council for their blessings and approval to relocate our office,” says Beebe. “One of my favorite sayings is ‘There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.’ I have to say, I had a blast working on committees, projects and events with the most dedicated staff and group of volunteers in Pearl River County from March 2005 to May 2010. I look forward to getting new committees in place and working with ‘seasoned’ volunteers as well as new volunteers who share the same passion and desire to keep Picayune moving forward.”
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15th Annual Rotary Fishing Rodeo held in McNeill
“We are all fortunate to play a small part in the joy we see in their faces when they get a bite on their line and see the fish they catch. My wife, Sharon, and I hosted it last year on our anniversary and we would not have had it any other way. It was a perfect day.”
— Rotarian Tony Paternostro -
Picayune Main Street relocates to Intermodal
Picayune Main Street, Inc. has relocated to the Intermodal Transportation and Tourism Center at 200 Hwy 11 South. With the change in location the organization is also shifting focus back to the four points of the Main Street Approach according to President Bill Edwards.
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