Hurricane Irma

In early September, 2017, hurricane Irma cut a swath across the Atlantic and Caribbean as a cat 5 hurricane causing extensive destruction in the Leeward Islands, the BVI, USVI, Cuba and the Florida Keys before it turned North up the West  coast of Florida.  We watched in horror from our home in Lexington as Irma carved a direct path up the West coast of Florida toward Terrapin.  However, I knew I had done everything I could to  protect Terrapin from this eventuality.  In May I had put Terrapin in a storage yard called Safe Cove Boat Storage.  Safe Cove is within a canal system well inland from the Gulf and so was pretty protected from storm surge.  I also paid extra to have Terrapin tied down to concrete blocks with straps.  I had also removed all sails, most of the running rigging, and all canvas.

Hurricane Irma

Luckily, Irma weakened to a cat 3 as it  made landfall in Florida.  It moved slightly to the East of Punta Gorda and ended up causing minimal damage to that area.  There was no damage to speak of in Safe Cove in spite  of high winds.   Even if Irma had  hit Safe Cove with more force, I feel that Terrapin would have had a fighting chance.  The last time a hurricane hit the Punta Gorda area was 2004.  Hurricane Charlie did extensive damage to Punta Gorda and areas surrounding Port Charlotte.  So, i will continue to tie down Terrapin in Safe Cove and hope for the best.  She is insured.

 

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