Red-hot Tropics

This is a picture from Tuquen Mach' News13 Blog

The tropics are something most of us never think much about, until the weather folks say, “There’s an area we’re watching in the tropics tonight.”

Even that never really gets our attention. It’s when it gets a name, then comes that “Oh no” moment when we all think, “I really hope that doesn’t come this way.”

Growing up in Georgia, I never thought much about the storms because the most excitement we ever got from one that I remember is Opal, and that’s because we all got to miss a day of school in North Georgia.

But now that I live on the Gulf Coast, tropical storms and hurricanes are a special concern. I’m one of those people that bought the huge case of water and keeps a stash of canned food that I can just pick up and head out the door.

I even went so far as to get a small glass bowl for my goldfish “Short Stuff” in case I have to take him with me. It never occurred to me that I would need something like that until I moved to Florida.

I’ve been lucky enough to miss the horrific 2004 and 2005 seasons. The only brush I’ve had with that kind of weather is my first week of work here at News 13, when we were worried about Katrina. The poor people in New Orleans suffered the full wrath of that storm, but I’ve had nightmares before that Katrina kept on a straight path and hit the Florida Panhandle instead. It’s something I really shudder to think about, then I thank the powers that be that we were spared that devastation.

As we’re now more certain about where Dean is headed, I’m relieved. But I know that relief could be short-lived.

The next couple of months could shape up to be a very active tropical season. Let’s all keep our raincoats and evacuation plans handy. I know I will.

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Posted on Aug 19, 2007 - 09:26 PM by Tuquyen Mach

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About Me

I was born and raised in the hills of northeast Georgia, in a little town called Gainesville near the sparkling waters of Lake Lanier. My parents are Vietnamese immigrants who came to the U.S. more than 20 years ago. The sacrifices they've made for me to have a better life have made them my inspiration. I feel extremely honored that you've chosen to put your trust in me. I'm happy to be here in Panama City, and I look forward to getting to know you.

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