Dear Friends,
Here it is Wednesday morning, and we are wary of the possible approach of Hurricane Matthew. This monster storm has chewed its way through the Caribbean. At least 11 deaths, so far, have been reported in its wake. At present, it is edging its way up to Florida and projected to hug the coast. Latest projections as of Wednesday morning show it curving away from the East Coast, which we dearly hope will be the case.
We continue watching.
But: we must be prepared for the worst. Even the high tides of a passing tropical storm or strong northeasterly storm can flood homes and highways. Coastal Virginia has had enough bad storms in the past to make us aware of the terrible, terrible damage that can result from a direct hit.
Just 13 years ago, Hurricane Isabel brought such a direct hit. It is unlikely that anyone who is alive today, and who was of conscious age then, has forgotten what happened:
Several hundred homes in Gloucester and Mathews were destroyed by the raging floodwat...