By Tracy Nguyen (EBC Florida)
Eagle News Service
PENSACOLA, Florida (Eagle News) — Almost 13 years after the devastation that Hurricane Ivan, residents of Pensacola, Florida take no chances with Hurricane Irma. Even before knowing the trajectory of Hurricane Irma, Pensacola locals began preparing by buying water, food and gasoline. Within hours, stores all around Pensacola had sold out on all of their emergency supplies.
On September 13, 2004 Hurricane Ivan brought destruction to Pensacola and the surrounding areas including southern parts of Alabama. Days before, people were planning for Ivan, but did not expect how dangerous it was. The last major hurricane to strike Pensacola was Category 3, Hurricane Opal back in the mid 1990s.
Pensacola local, Gonnie Taino reflects on what it was like preparing for Hurricane Ivan to make landfall. “We had about a week to prepare so we got our generator, taped up the windows, got our cars and had them filled with gas, had plenty of drinking water and extra batteries, made sure that everything in the back and front yard were either tied down or brought inside the house to avoid ‘missile mishaps’. That was really all we could do with the time we had. By the time everything was prepared, all there is left to do was wait.”
Even with all the preparations made, Pensacola did not expect what would actually be the result of the power of this Category 3, Hurricane Ivan. Lives were lost, homes were washed away, and many locals were left without power for about 1 to 2 weeks. Water quality was compromised and all that the locals had to stay informed were battery operated FM radios.
Local business owner, Marty Caine experienced many hurricanes in his lifetime but after experiencing Hurricane Ivan, he has ensured that he and his family are well prepared for Hurricane Irma. He states, “When you suffer once, you don’t want to suffer again. Make sure to have a generator because it’s difficult to be without it.”
(Eagle News Service)
