“Katrina You Bitch!” The words emblazoned on our shorefront in Hathian where our City has never really fully recovered.
Yes… the mayor and civic groups have patched things up, thrown up construction and provided the minimum of services to keep this a city and we know that private enterprise froths along, although usually of the seedier environment. Perhaps the thing that has grown the most are the Hathian Gangs, growing their way through cracks in the concrete landscape, contributing to the erosion of the City.
NOAA’s outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, predicts a 40% chance of a near-normal season, a 30% chance of an above-normal season and a 30% chance of a below-normal season. NOAA is forecasting a range of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher)
NOAA website
NOAA has predicted 1 – 4 major hurricanes this season and while this is ‘normal’ for the year apparently it is not good news for Hathian. For Hathian hurricanes, in particular major ones, these are anything but normal. For many years, our city has borne the brunt of rounds of devastation that often leads to looting and worse.
As we here that there are some issues with supplies due to storms elsewhere in the state, we can only hope that Hathian residents have learned to weather disruption…
Past Storms & Weather Events Of Note
While most years have had some kind of storm destruction, the Observer provides a semi-complete record of some of the major ones.
- In 2009 a tornado befell the city, causing damage and injuries and likely cover for a murder
- In 2010 an aircraft fell on the city during a storm, causing widespread destruction to the FDH. Further issues were also reported at the HGH which suffered a partial roof collapse due to water damage and across local businesses. Storm warnings were issued, but there was significant impacts felt weeks later.
- In 2011, another year of bad storms, led to the city loosing power and widespread reports of looting and other issues including citizens attempting to use indoor generators and potentially risking fire, electrocution or carbon monoxide poisoning
- In 2012, it was Isaac that started a trail of destruction… residents had got used to it… sort of. Still there was all the usual issues…
- In 2013, Tropical Storm Karen dumped water and wrose on Hathian which led to potential drownings and long term blackouts across the town.
- In 2014, the stormy weather came earlier than expected, leading to the usual floors and poor weather conditions. Still, it seemed from our archives that there was less damage than in many prior years, that was until later in the year when a freak lightning storm damaged parts of Hathian.
- 2015 was a year of drought, what started as a warning about rising temperatures quickly led to the declaration of a major drought and when temperatures eventually dropped, there had been all sorts of Hathian shenanigans.
- In 2016, the city seemed to escape weather related events, but it was a wave of biting that swept through the city, as effectively as flood water. This was followed by contamination of the city’s water supply, leading to a state of emergency being declared that would eventually last nearly two months before it was terminated after the CDC and others got involved.
- 2017 delivered strange fogs to Hathian, which later turned out to be the work of criminals who were eventually all caught (what a surprise) and ended the years with very unusual cold weather.
- 2018 and 2019 were years of not much weather related woe as far as our intern told us via her research… Yay for normality right readers?
- 2020, while there were storms, it was more the storm of the pandemic that reached Hathian…
- In 2021, significant spring storms caused Hathian which caused significant flooding and led to boats being out on the streets with houses underwater. Sadly this wasn’t the only adverse weather and later in the year Hurricane Ida struck, with the potential to cause significant damage
- In 2022, there was significant flooding across the city after heavy, heavy rains…
Tips For Hathian Residents
That’s a lot of weather our intern dug up, so as we progress through the storm season here, here are some tips from the Observer to Hathian residents:
- Keep a storm kit in your house (First Aid / torch / water sterilisation tablets and more)
- Keep your valuables somewhere they should remain dry if there is heavy rain and then either flooding or roof damage, your items will hopefully remain dry
- Listen out for news of any storms and heed any storm warnings
- Don’t try and use inappropriate electrical systems in your house if there is a temporary power loss. Use candles and other lower risk items
- Check on your vulnerable friends in the event of storm issues, look out for each other
Hopefully our tips aren’t needed this year, but you never know. Take care everyone!
