People in Florida are losing their minds after, to employ the precise terminology of big-league journalism, apparently being hit by four hurricanes in six weeks:
It's not just roofs that have come apart, not just siding that's failing and walls that are coming down. Emotions are unraveling across Florida, too.
Mental health centers are flooded with calls and officials are blaming a spike in suicides and family violence on the stress of four hurricanes that have left millions coping with ruined homes, lost work, blackouts and scarce supplies of food, water and ice.
...
At an enormous, crowded relief station at a fairgrounds, one woman climbed out of her car before she reached the end of the line and began screaming, ``I can't take this anymore. I don't want to do this anymore.''
Relief workers calmed her before taking her to a hospital for treatment, said Greg Croucher of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
I can believe there are a lot of people under stress, but most are coping.
Once I saw a woman have a screaming, crying, cursing, hysterical fit because she didn't know how to use a copy machine. Demonstrating another extreme, you'll find the tales in books like Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey of how, after wagon-training eight or nine months, some of those people would crack up. I read of one lady who one day just up and bashed all her kids' heads in. The journey was hideous for everybody, but that was too much stress for too long for that particular person. They left her standing out in the middle of the prairie and went on wagon-training without her.
This isn't as much stress as life has the possibility to dish out. The victims of Hurricane Jeanne in Haiti would probably be willing to trade places with any of us here in Florida, and I know of one boy in particular who would like to trade with the lady who can't take it any more.
Waiting in line for ice in Barefoot Bay
Waiting in line for food in Gonaives, Haiti
Posted by floridacracker at September 28, 2004 08:40 PM
I agree with you whole heartedly. I think that if your house is basically still intact but your inconvenienced by having no power then your very lucky. I saw a man on cnn the other day who was moaning and groaning in Florida that he had been to three different convenience stores trying to get a cup of coffee. In Haiti those people are trampling each other for food. Its very different. I think we are very spoiled in the states. I think its terrible how much devistation the hurricanes have done in Florida and to Floridians, dont get me wrong, but its just an inconvenience if you cant watch your football game or get some ice.
Anyway I'm off my soap box now. LOL. Sorry. I stumbled upon your blog and thought I would give you my two cents (the little its worth lol) before I left. Have a good day!
Posted by: Ro at September 29, 2004 09:04 AMGood points all and important to keep that perspective. But also important to remember that one way or another we are ALL being effected.
For me it was seeing the eye of all 3. Then trying to continue my business. Yes, my house is still standing, I've got power - but my business has fallen apart. And it'll be months before it even begins to be at the level it was in July.
However - you will NOT see me throwing a fit in a parking lot (well unless you are being an ass and deserve it) you will not hear me moaning and groaning about being inconvienced (I can't imagine what they are dealing with in Haiti). We just need to keep everything in perspective and do what we must be done to move on.
Great post. Needed to be out there!
Posted by: Tammi at September 29, 2004 09:17 AMHaving been through or showed up to help immediately after several hurricanes and severe tropical storms (including Ivan and Jeanne), the first thing that pops into my mind is "How do these people have TIME to spend several hours standing in line for ice?" Don't they know someone who needs help cleaning up, removing trees, patching their roof, or something?
Donnah,
Bob obviously is confused. I would straighten him out, but you're probably more qualified, especially after this latest go round to do so. What an *ss.
Posted by: robin at September 29, 2004 05:15 PMBut what I really wanted to comment on was the contrast between the pics. Maybe we could parachute Bob into Porta Prince?
Posted by: robin at September 29, 2004 05:16 PMUp in Jacksonville, we have been hit directly by zero hurricanes but gradually grinded by four. I have had the same emotions you have regarding the juxtaposition of Florida pain v. Haiti/Carribbean pain - even North Fla. v. South Fla. pain.
What I've learned is that, cliche or not, it's all relative. People break at different points, depending on their experience and tolerance for alchohol.
I think more representative than the fit-throwers are the head-in-hands-on-the-curb people. And if I am seeing them in Jax, I'm sure they are all over SF.
Great blog - keep it up.
-RJG
Posted by: RJ Geddes at September 29, 2004 05:34 PMI'm not wanting people to fight about this, and I'm not making light of anyone harmed in these storms.
The point I was trying to make was about different people's stress levels.
Most Floridians are coping and we are blessed to be in a country that has resources to pour out on us when disaster strikes and the willingness to do it.