Current Events: A Monster Beckons

In the 6 hours from 2300 to 0500 last night Hurricane Wilma strengthened from a Category 2 to a Category 5 storm, and, with winds of 175 mph, has been declared the most intense storm in the Atlantic Basin, ever. It is expected to strike FL anywhere from around Tampa to the Keys, with conditions beginning to deteriorate late Fri. and Sat. as the target date. Accordingly, I pretty much knew as of yesterday not to bother trying to make any social plans for this weekend. -------------------------------- This year I have experienced the brunt of Tropical Storm Dennis (fairly intense), Katrina (very intense, as it hit the area as a Category 1 and the center passed about 12-15 miles from my place) and the outer bands of Rita (less intense than the others but still kind of dicey). For all of these, the anticipation of arrival, waiting for the storm to pass and a persistent, underlying dread have been worse than the actual impacts. Katrina caused a little flooding in my apartment and I lost power for 16 hours; comparatively this is not too bad. Still, there is a unique unease caused by the howling winds and not-so-gently swaying palm trees, knowing that, at any time during the storm, the slightest breach of the building��s outside defense can portend extensive damage inside.