For the first time in more than a decade the east coast of Florida stared down the barrel of a significant hurricane that was projected to ride alongside the coast and make landfall somewhere from Miami to the Carolinas. Fortunately, the storm essentially missed South Florida altogether and as a result there was hardly any damage to either property or nature.

During storms like Wilma and Jeanne, the last hurricanes to hit the area, most communities lost power for a week or more and there was significant damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and utility lines as trees fell everywhere with incredible wind impacts.

Boca Raton residents, particularly folks who weren’t around for the storms from over a decade ago went through an excellent “fire drill” of how to prepare for a hurricane.

This included preparing both real estate and personal property while also taking other measures for possibly being without electricity for several days. Residents scurried to;

• Put gas in their vehicles
• Purchase bottled water
• Get Ice
• Get food that doesn’t require the fridge or freezer
• Make sure there are working flashlights and extra batteries
• Board up windows or doors that are not hurricane-proof
• Remove objects from the yard or patio that could get blown around

Everyone’s focus turned to the weather reports as Hurricane Matthew came so close to our shores. Although hurricanes are a fabric of life in Boca Raton, it’s a great feeling when one passes you by with no damage.