The beginning of the storm
The broadcast starts with Wijnand outlining the current situation: “It is 7.40 am in the Netherlands and a little earlier in America. Especially in Florida, many people are not closing their eyes because of a hurricane that has just made landfall.” In Tampa, where the hurricane delivered its first devastating blows, 2.6 million households are already without power. Orlando, where Thom and Jessie are staying, will not escape the storm either.
Experience with hurricanes
It is not the first time that Thom and Jessie have experienced a hurricane in Florida. They lost their rental car during an earlier storm, so they now view the situation with a certain nonchalance. “We already went through something last time,” Thom says matter-of-factly, although he emphasizes that his girlfriend finds it all “very exciting”.
Despite the experience, Wijnand wonders why Thom did not leave earlier. “We knew this was going to happen, but when we tried to leave, the airport closed,” Thom explains. “It was no longer possible to get away at that point.”
Preparations and emergency notifications
Preparations in Florida are strict. Supermarkets have barricaded their doors, and Thom also experienced the measures. “We came back from the Disney parks and the supermarket was already closed.” Still, Thom was able to bring some lightness to it with a touch of humor: “Luckily the liquor store was still open, so we were able to stock up on some beers.”
Thom and Jessie received emergency notifications on their phones about possible flooding and the risk of power outages. “They warn that we should absolutely not go outside until it is safe,” says Thom.
The impact on the community
What is striking is the impact the storm has on the local population. “We heard someone at our resort say he’s probably going to lose his house,” says Thom. This makes the situation even more realistic and intense, even for people who are on vacation and only staying in the area temporarily.
When Wijnand asks what he sees when he looks outside, Thom opens the sliding doors and plays the sounds of the storm through the radio. “The wind is blowing hard and the trees are moving from left to right,” Thom describes as the hurricane approaches.
