New Orleanians have a compulsion to celebrate. We are compelled to recognize births to deaths and everything in between. We celebrate the beginning of the week with our Sunday family dinners and stop by(s). We celebrate the coming weekends starting on Wednesdays. We celebrate our four seasons in New Orleans; parade, crawfish, snowball, and football. In the midst of it all we dread one season and one season alone….Hurricane Season.June 1st marks the beginning of Hurricane season. Having just said goodbye to Jazz Fest, arguably the happiest time of year, we start to collect our “survival supplies.” A well stocked garage would include things like…
Hammer
Nails
Plywood Boards
Gas
Gas Cans
Bottled
Water
Blankets
Flashlights Galore
Blue Tarps
Grill First
Aid Kit
Non Perishable Food Items (replace each season)
Batteries
Battery Powered Radios
Battery Powered Fans
Manual Can Opener
Trash Bags
Cleaning Supplies
Duct Tape
Rain Gear/Boots
Towels
Sandbags
Baby Supplies (wipes, diapers, formula, etc.)
Waterproof containers/ziplock bags (For storage of important documents)
Hand Sanitizer/Soap
This list could go on and on, but you get the general picture. When all of these things are in place and the first hint of any movement in the gulf is announced, the real planning begins.
Who will be hosting the Hurricane Party?
It is a soiree unlike any other of the year. In this southern coastal tradition, families and friends gather and fellowship, gingerly awaiting the aptly named system to make his or her appearance. Generally it is potluck, ensuring that you've used all that remains in your fridge. A nod to the glaring possibilities of power outages and food spoilage. The fete is not without libations, cards, games, music and of course, dancing. In the background the television is a mainstay, radiating a murmur of the meteorologists’ continuous coverage and updates. As gale force winds whistle, we take comfort in the knowledge that what will be will be and we will experience it together. It is ultimately a loving act of community. For residents living in hurricane alley, the best hurricane parties are when the storm gifts us minimal damages and inconveniences at best. Not to mention, if city officials warn us to evacuate, those of us who can are all too happy to take our show on the roads to a forced vacation. All in all, I believe our tradition has served as a mental jaunt from the daunting realities of the moment. Mother Nature has dealt us hard blows at times, leaving us to stumble on the rebound and forever changed. It is during these times that our beloved tradition took a defining backseat to acts of bravery and heroism. With death and destruction swirling, there was no escapism to be found. For some, the reality lay beside them on rooftops for days, awaiting the calvary.
This wrinkle in time is inevitable. Every hurricane season is met with undeniable dread. However, if there is a bright spot in the unknown, it is our relentless commitment to optimism. Even it’s muse shows up dressed in category 3 fashions, there is always the calm of the eye to give us perspective on renewed mercies. With the season in full swing, I’m hoping that you are secure in your survival kits and goods. But the real question remains….where’s the party? Be safe friends.
