Facing the Storm

Rebecca Brittingham

Rain echoed throughout the building; thunder shook the ground; lightning flashed across the sky, and the howling wind prematurely ripped leaves off the branches.  In the midst of the rising storm, the weather man’s warning echoed in my head…. “Hurricane Irene, currently a category 4, will hit Wilmington, NC Friday evening and then makes it way up to Virginia Beach, by Saturday with winds raging close to 115 miles an hour followed by tornado and flash flood warnings.”  Is this the end?  Or is this just the beginning of what could be the most catastrophic hurricane yet to hit the East Coast?

As the day progressed, I could sense the subtle silence, a rising fear and underlining panic that loomed in the air even among the student body here at Regent University. By evening, Virginia Beach was in a whirlwind of confusion. Here it is Thursday night, the hurricane hadn’t even made landfall and yet, the intensity of the evening’s storm seemed threatening. Evacuation was in the horizon. According to Shore News Today, much of the east coast was mandating an evacuation.  I left campus that evening confused.  Was this the storm before the major storm?  

It didn’t end there! The 13 WVEC stated that Virginia Beach was in a state of emergency and evacuation was mandated.  What do I do?  Where should I go?  Should I leave or should I stay in Virginia and hope for the best?  What should I take with me?  Immediately, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Ivan in Pensacola washed through my mind. Could Wilmington, and then Virginia Beach possibly have the same fate?

Upon arriving home Thursday evening, completely drenched from the early storm, I just stood in my room contemplating what possessions were most valuable. I had seen the aftermath of tragic storms. I had even had direct contact with refugees from previous storms, but could this actually be happening to me?  Other people lose loved ones, but could I actually lose someone dear to my heart?  According to USA Today, over 2 million people along the East Coast were evacuating. Panic started to grip my heart.   

At this moment, my thoughts shifted to the safety and well-being of my family living in Wilmington. My family! My family! They could be in danger….I need to get to them… I need to make sure that they’re okay.  Therefore, early Friday morning, I scrambled out of bed, gathered the few belongings that I could carry and headed out of town with the crowd.

For me, this weekend wasn’t just about preparing for a storm; it was a weekend that helped me to evaluate what holds the most value in my life. I often live life as if I am invincible and nothing could happen to me.  No one knew what the outcome was going to be. No one even knew for sure whether they would live to see the following week.  While possessions bring great joy, they are replaceable. However, loved ones can never be replaced. Once gone, they can never be brought back, so cherish every shared moment.