Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Into the Eye of the Storm

 by Fran McNabb

When a storm forms over the waters of the Atlantic, Caribbean, or the Gulf of Mexico, people tend to steer clear of those areas—unless you’re a member of the Hurricane Hunters. The Hurricane Hunters are a special group of men and women who put their lives on the line to help keep people in storm-prone areas out of harm’s way.


I realize this is the twentieth of October, and in most years thoughts of tropical development have been


pushed aside, but not in 2020. I actually started writing this post the morning that Hurricane Sally plowed into the Gulf Shores, Alabama, as a Category 2, just a few weeks after Hurricane Laura, a Cat 4, had destroyed parts of southeast Louisiana. This morning (Oct. 10) I’m watching the remnants of Hurricane Delta, which made landfall near Lake Charles, LA, only fifteen miles from where Hurricane Laura came in.


I chose this topic because in my latest short story release, “Smoothing a Rocky Road,” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G8CBY5W/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_-cvtFb8J4105J my hero is a pilot considering flying with the Hurricane Hunters. The squadron is a full-time Air Force Reserve unit stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. Years ago when my husband was in this squadron, the group was known as the Storm Trackers. No matter what the group is known as, their mission is the same: Gather information to save lives. Today the group is completely Air Force Reservists or air reserve technicians. 


The Hurricane Hunters fly WC-130J aircraft equipped with palletized meteorological instruments and usually carry a crew of about five. They go directly into the eye of the storm to gather information. The squadron members know they must go where they are needed. If the aircraft are in the path of the storms or if the storms are too far away to fly from the Biloxi area, they and their crews must relocate. Family members are left to fend for themselves in an approaching storm. For the October storms this year, the Hurricane Hunters took their planes and crews to San Antonio. When my husband worked for the unit, I was one of the lucky wives. I had my parents living nearby and could ride out a storm with them.  Not everyone is that lucky.


During hurricane season, my thoughts go out to the men and women and their families who keep the Hurricane Hunters flying. Like all branches of the service, these families must deal with separation as well. Remember these families the next time a storm threatens. We are so fortunate to have dedicated and trained personnel to help keep the country well informed about dangerous weather conditions.



Fran McNabb has lived most of her life along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico and is well-seasoned when it comes to hurricanes. She uses the coastline setting in many of her sweet romances. Check her out at mcnabbf@bellsouth.net or visit her at https://FranMcNabb.com.



11 comments:

  1. Those are some brave men and women! I've not experienced a hurricane as we technically don't have them in Oregon, but I have experienced hurricane force winds here.
    Stay safe. Weather is powerful as you know.

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    1. I don't imagine you do have hurricanes in Oregon, but you do have terrific winds. No matter what you experience, weather can be dangerous. Stay safe.

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  2. This is very interesting information, Fran. We don't see any hurricanes in Wisconsin, but I have friends and family who live with this every day.

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    1. But in Wisconsin you have lots of blizzards and bone-chilling cold. To us who live on the coasts, that's frightening as well. Stay warm this winter.

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  3. Thanks for sharing and educating me--a Midwestern. Be safe.

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    1. You're quite welcomed, Pat. I just thought these men and women needed a little recognition. Thanks for stopping by.

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  4. Oh my, what an interesting and terrifying career. Thank you for sharing, Fran!

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    1. Magdalena, I agree. I can't imagine flying into the eye of a hurricane, but thank goodness someone will do it.

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  5. I wanted to share the info because where I live we rely so much on these wonderful men and women to help keep us safe during storms.

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