Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Hurricane Wilma Takes Unexpected Toll on South Florida

Wilma’s impact was a surprise to most hurricane savvy residents and farm owners in southeastern Florida, who for the most part chose to ride out the category 3 hurricane. Since it hit the west coast first, they expected some wind and rain, but not the intense winds which followed after the eye of the hurricane passed over.

“The hurricane part was fine.” said Miriam Morgan owner of Morgan Publishing, who produces the popular ‘Barn Book’ and equestriangraphics.com. “But the winds which followed were so fierce it flattened my screened in porch, dropped most of my tall palms, and now we are without electricity for at least 2 weeks maybe more!”

While her house, barn, and horses survived the day, it was the fierce winds which came on the back end of the fast moving storm that was the scariest. “It sounded like a freight train going through my house” said Morgan. “But the good news is, without electricity, I get a break from the light pollution from all the cell towers and Southern Boulevard. I can see the stars at night, like I used to before all this development has surrounded me.”

Morgan who was prepared for the worst, as a result of the hurricane marathon south Florida residents went through in 2004, was up and running on generator power within 24 hours, keeping up with print and advertising deadlines “if I can find a printer who has power”. Together we develop the cover of the Gold Coast Dressage Association’s winter program covers, and had been working on the design when Wilma interrupted our efforts.

But with cell phone lines busy, it was impossible to reach anyone except Miriam to get the first word on how West Palm Beach handled the hurricane and that is only when she has the generator cranked up. Now the problem is finding gas. The few stations opened which are running on generator power are already dealing with endless lines. “I’ll figure out the ‘down times’ for seeking gas.” said the hurricane veteran Morgan, who declined our invitation to set up shop at our offices near Daytona Beach, which were virtually unaffected. With horses, animals and family to tend to Morgan just like all other south Florida horse people, are dealing with the basics right now, lack of water, gas, and electricity.

Robert Dover and Backstreet Productions, along with participants for the Search For America’s Next Dressage Star, were set and ready to begin taping the reality show, when they found themselves in the middle of the late season hurricane’s path. Now they will have the extra added reality of what it is like for horse people dealing with nature’s interruptions. DressageDaily will be featuring a daily journal of the production events. Dover just e-mailed a short reply, that taping has been rescheduled to begin November 6. Bob Gormley, the father of one of our reporters Stacy Gormley called last night to pass the word Stacy and her horses and barns are fine, just difficult phone reception issues, and hurricane aftermath chores to deal with.

Another DressageDaily employee Margaret Heroy was due to ship with her horse from Indiana to West Palm Beach where she spends the winter in training with Dover. So far for her and others who await word on the conditions, the early exodus from the north is on hold.

Insurance wise, we have had some impact with clients who have reported wind damage, the worst of it being a downed hay barn, and a flooded home, but fortunately all horses and people seem to be fine, just stressed, inconvenienced, and tired, both physically, and mentally over the continuous threat of mother nature.

Miriam Morgan recently purchased property in Aiken, South Carolina, with the long term plan of moving her business to safe and more secluded territory. “Today I wish I was there already.” sighed a weary Morgan, “but we’ll get through this, again.” Meanwhile, we (Mary Phelps/Hathaway and JJ. Hathaway) begin our trek south today, from our new property in Kentucky, to our offices and home in Deleon Springs, near Daytona Beach. Tracey Scharf our office and life manager runs the daily operations from our location there, and all is in order. Stay tuned to DressageDaily for updates as we get them on conditions in South Florida.

Related links
Powerless: Area faces long recovery