Irene, a category 3 hurricane, is headed north-by-northwest, towards the United States east coast at this hour, packing 115-mph winds. It is expected to hit the eastern seaboard this weekend from the Carolinas to New England. All the advisories, watches and warnings have been issued by all the emergency service organizations. Airlines have begun cancelling flights and moving planes out of harm's way. Coastal residents are boarding up their homes and businesses. U.S. Navy vessels homeported in Norfolk, Virginia have put to sea to "ride it out." Governor Andrew Cuomo has already declared a State of Emergency for New York.
Of course, category 3 hurricanes that make landfall in populated cities will always make history, but we must particularly include Irene in this blog because it comes on the heels of a magnitude 5.8 earthquake that rocked Washington, D.C. just two days ago. As the largest earthquake to strike the east coast in 67 years, it also could be felt as far away as New York, though causing only minor damage to buildings and monuments. Nonetheless, Mother Nature appears to be having quite a summer with the eastern seaboard of the United States.
This blogger anticipates a number of explanations for this. Some will claim, if they haven't already, that these two natural disasters are an example of the global climate change. Others might believe it's God's way of punishing Washington D.C. for not resolving its debt and budget issues. Such is the result of the human propensity to ask why these things have to happen.
Whatever the reason, our thoughts here regard the safety of everyone in that part of the country. Take care, you guys.
Looking at biblical history it seems a small earthquake or even a relatively large hurricane isn't really God's way of punishing. Total annihilation with no warning is more God's way.
ReplyDeleteI heard it said that The Earth will survive, even if it has to kill us all to do it.