Irma inspired: how I survived two hurricanes in New York

Фото: Depositphotos

On the news only and talk that about hurricanese. I remembered how I experienced two in New York. One was not scary at all - his name was Irene, so, rain, wind, torn branches. And then Sandy came... It happened in November 2012.

We were not just warned on the radio and TV, the police went around the apartments and houses in the coastal zone, and persuaded people to leave.
And then the storm struck.

Me, my mother and my three children then rented a condo in a remote part of Brooklyn. We did not get water into the bathroom, we did not buy bottled water, we did not stock up on flashlights, batteries and candles ... We were morons. Apparently therefore, the Almighty regretted us.

I remember I stood near the window and watched as in the courtyard the wind tore a thin tree until it tore it up by the roots. Disappointed by the lack of flying roofs and cows, I went to bed.

In the morning I was unpleasantly surprised to discover that the Internet was not working. Everything else was as before - the lights were on, hot and cold water flowed from the tap. I called the provider, they say, how can this be - there is no Internet! He asked in a somewhat surprised voice, saying, “Am I aware that a hurricane has hit the city?” Bye, I said, you haven’t seen the winds on the Kola Peninsula! We hung up, dissatisfied with each other.

We stayed at home for another day - I didn’t have work scheduled, and the schools were closed. The weather was disgusting, we didn’t go outside. And then I remembered that the kids at school were supposed to have a Halloween parade. On Wednesday. Or tomorrow. And I just have work.

In the morning I cheerfully woke up the children for school, saying that’s enough, let’s go! The children resisted violently. Seven-year-old son Gurik shouted loudest about the storm and its consequences. I insisted. She made them put on costumes - it’s a parade! That year he was Batman, and Masha and Nika were princesses from Disney cartoons.

And then the incredibly beautiful children and their naive mother left the house. And they froze in some bewilderment: the sirens of fire trucks were blaring around - the neighbors’ house was on fire. Fallen poles lay all around, wires hung from trees like ridiculous noodles.

Фото: Depositphotos

“If you don’t have electricity, you can recharge your phone here,” there were notices hanging here and there on fences near adapters; someone was pumping water out of basements. Someone, on the contrary, carried full buckets of water from neighbors to themselves.

I walked ahead, begging the children not to step on the wires, and trying not to look at their faces. “I told you there was a hurricane, I told you so!” - my son hissed at my back. But I continued to cheerfully lead the group in striped swimsuits forward, saying, let’s get to school now that we’ve left.

- Lord, how long we have been waiting for you! — some American woman suddenly clasped her hands, looking behind me! - Finally! Finally you have come and will save us! - She even threw the empty buckets with which she went to fetch water on the ground.

- Boy, where have you been? We can't cope without you! - boomed the American who was walking behind her. He had a log on his shoulder. — The city is tired of waiting!

I turned around - in the middle of the destruction, smoke and broken wires stood a confused seven-year-old Batman.

Americans, how I adore you for your sense of humor - I wanted to tell them this then, but I was also embarrassed. But in vain. That's why you are a great nation - no matter what happens, you will always find the strength to joke.

We reached the school, there was a boat near it. No, the school is not on the water, it was just that the wind was so strong that a huge boat tore off the anchor, carried out of the bay and carried away across the road ...

Children began to study only next week. That year they never had a Halloween. And our four houses, forming a rectangle, were among the few in the city that did not suffer at all.

Read also on ForumDaily:

How to prepare for a hurricane: step by step instructions

What to do if a hurricane caught you in the car

Hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes in the USA: how to stay alive

How to protect your home and wallet if you live in a hurricane zone

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.