It all began on August 25 with Hurricane Harvey, which was the first Hurricane to hit the US mainland since hurricane Wilma in 2005. Harvey struck Texas as a category 4 Hurricane and devastated the areas surrounding Houston. It stayed in the area for several days before it circled back out onto the gulf and re-entering Texas again near Beaumont Texas. The top rainfall total was a preliminary 51.88 inches near Highlands, Texas. This rainfall total would be the heaviest from any tropical cyclone in the continental U.S. in records dating to 1950. This hurricane would have devastating effects not only on Texas and Louisiana, but the rest of the county as Beaumont Texas was deeply effected as Hurricane Harvey Made Land fall in nearby Louisiana. Beaumont, Texas, the home to some of this country’s largest gas/oil refineries, which were damaged, thus causing the gasoline prices to rise across the country. This Hurricane is one that has not hit the Texas bend area in over 50 years. Harvey is responsible for 57th deaths and dumped over 27 Trillion gallons of water. And losses over $75 Billion. August 17- August 30th.
Then we had a rare event, three (3) active hurricanes in the Atlantic/Gulf areas at one time.
Hurricane Irma, a category 5 Hurricane which goes through the Atlantic causing damage through the many of the Caribbean Islands. It causes damage and power outages to Puerto Rico, USVI , Dominican Republic and many other islands in the Caribbean . It then makes landfall in Cuba as a category 5. After causing much destruction to Cuba, Hurricane Irma continued on it path focus on Florida. It makes landfall in Florida causing major damage to the Florida Keys. Hurricane Irma path did not matter because it was so huge in size (larger than the state of Texas) that it covered both the east and west coast of Florida as it moved north. Hurricane Irma caused much devastation through it path through Florida. Irma had the longest stretch of wind of 175+ and winds gust of 220mph. Hurricane Irma lasted from August 30th– Sept 11th, causing many deaths and billions in damages.
Hurricane Jose which becomes a Category 4 over the Atlantic causing dangerous ripe tides along the way. Jose which did not make landfall has been a slow-moving storm weakening to a tropical storm but has just made several circles in the Atlantic Ocean. It caused severe riptides to the North east from New Jersey to Massachusetts- September 5th till Sept 23. Hurricane Jose one of the longest lasting hurricanes on record.
Hurricane Katia which was in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall in Mexico going across Mexico in a South West pattern September 6th -September 9th
Hurricane Maria, another Category 5 September 16- till at least September 28th. Hurricane Maria was a Category 5 hurricane when it makes landfall in the small Island of Dominica. After causing devastation there, Hurricane Maria, then makes landfall in southeast area of Puerto Rico in the town of Yabucoa as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of 155 mph. Maria entered PR at 6:15 am, but power outages began before midnight even though many areas were still suffering from power outages from Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Maria continued as slow moving low pressure high wind (Cat 4) hurricane going north west causing much destruction in its path. By the time Maria exits Puerto Rico about 12 hours later, just before Arecibo as a Category 3. The entire island had been covered with heavy rain and winds and the entire island lost power and communication. Only a few reporters were able to send messages and reports. As of this writing, there is still no power and communication is rare on the island, it is determined a disaster zone and federal help is on its way. They will NOT have adequate power for months. Supplies and medical and emergency assistance is at a minimal. Deaths amount will go up, potable water will be minimal, food will be rationed, electrical limited, communication minimal, crime and looting will rise and cost of damages will not be recovered mainly because most cannot afford the cost of insurance or the corrupt systems. Federal assistance will be needed. This Island already had problems and power outages from Hurricanes Irma and Jose and now Maria made a direct hit, it was a knockout punch to the Island. A hurricane of this magnitude has not hit Puerto Rico since 1928.
On September 7, I, personally experienced an earthquake as I was on a trip in Cancun Mexico. The earthquake measured 8.2 on the Richter scale at the point of impact, which was some 500 miles to our south west. This was the largest seismic earthquake in over 100 years. Less than two weeks later on September 19, 2017 a 7.1 measured earthquake occurred again in Mexico, the town of Mexico City. This was the location of the deadliest earthquake in Mexico over 30 years ago losing thousands of lives. Two days later, another earthquake occurred in Japan, measures at 5.9.
All these natural events, many being records or events that hasn’t happen in decades, are happening in this past several weeks is reason why we must always be alert and know how to prepare and have an emergency plan (including a communication plan) should any natural, man-made or terrorist event take place.