Storm

So far, it is everything that has been predicted. The storm is with us and showing that it means business. The gusts are fierce and the rain just starting to become heavier. Gabrielle, I am sure, is going to cause widespread damage. We still have power here, but I see a message from Top Energy indicating there are several outages throughout the region. May everyone stay safe.

We took Riccardo for a walk half an hour ago. I don’t think I would like to do so now as the rain and wind are strengthening by the minute. I feel for all those farmers and orchardists whose stock and crops are at this storm’s mercy – a whole year’s livelihood could be wiped out at once. Let’s hope that it does not amount to that for anyone and that everyone’s rooves remain on their houses, trees stay standing and no serious flooding occurs in suburban areas. Is that too much to ask?

It was past exhilarating out there on the beach this morning. Usually, a bit of wind is uplifting but this one was whipping up stinging sand, and almost forcing Stephen and me to lose our footing - not a time to be outdoors. Yet when one has a pet as exuberant as this one, they still need a bit of exercise. During most storms of late, I have enjoyed curling up inside and relaxing, but this morning took me right back to my farming days when stock still needed to be shifted and checked. I never minded going out into the rain, even for a few hours, so long as I had a hot shower or bath to return to. This is where the problem came – often there was a power cut, meaning there was no water and definitely not a hot bath on returning home. Those times were difficult, though I guess Northland is nowhere near as cold as other parts of the country. I would imagine that exposure was a very real possibility during storms for those being outdoors in Southland, for example.

I am thankful now, that there is no need to go back out into the storm today. We have gas, so if there is a power cut, at least we can still cook. I have a supply of water, as we were advised to do, and if the worst came to the worst, I am sure we could syphon some water out of the tank. It should be close to full with all the rain we have been having lately.

To all those people fixing the power outages, farmers shifting stock, people travelling to work or needing to be on the roads, may you all stay safe.