13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
13 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

What Are the Odds?

by Mark Singletary
12 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
This last week my parents were a little bit north of the hurricane that hit Florida. Their property and the city were devastated with downed trees, lengthy power outage, etc. Conditions were the worst they'd ever seen.

Today, my family on the other side of the world live a little bit north of a hurricane/typhoon that hit. Conditions were awful for a while (worst I've seen) and the power just came back on. The backend is still coming so we aren't sure yet about damage.

What are the odds that this would happen? Very low I would guess.

Have you ever had a similar experience where, against all odds, you and someone else at the same time faced the exact same problem?

Mark
Avatar of Unregistered
  • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    This last week my parents were a little bit north of the hurricane that hit Florida. Their property and the city were devastated with downed trees, lengthy power outage, etc. Conditions were the worst they'd ever seen.

    Today, my family on the other side of the world live a little bit north of a hurricane/typhoon that hit. Conditions were awful for a while (worst I've seen) and the power just came back on. The backend is still coming so we aren't sure yet about damage.

    What are the odds that this would happen? Very low I would guess.

    Have you ever had a similar experience where, against all odds, you and someone else at the same time faced the exact same problem?

    Mark
    That's most unfortunate for both, sorry to hear. Where are your family the other side of the world situated?

    Global warming affects the weather erratically. More hurricanes and extreme weather ensue. You could say it's now significantly more likely than it ever was to strike in two places like that. I hope your parents are well and of course the other extended family abroad. Don't know about the abroad one but did your parents have hurricane insurance. The place where it hit was such a rare location to get a battering.
    Signature

    Feel The Power Of The Mark Side

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767795].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author tagiscom
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    This last week my parents were a little bit north of the hurricane that hit Florida. Their property and the city were devastated with downed trees, lengthy power outage, etc. Conditions were the worst they'd ever seen.

    Today, my family on the other side of the world live a little bit north of a hurricane/typhoon that hit. Conditions were awful for a while (worst I've seen) and the power just came back on. The backend is still coming so we aren't sure yet about damage.

    What are the odds that this would happen? Very low I would guess.

    Have you ever had a similar experience where, against all odds, you and someone else at the same time faced the exact same problem?

    Mark


    And l also did a"Google" search for this one to make sure 5 is worse than a 3.



    Sounds like you and your family moved to present locations after 1992, so didn't experience one of the worst Typhoons to hit that part of the US.

    Or the worst was just over 30 years ago.

    And no l cannot really think of anything at present just wanted to bring us down to earth as it were.

    Hurricane Michael made landfall Oct. 10, 2018, near Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle as a Category 5 hurricane.
    Ok a category 5 was about 5 years back, and not during the present day ..., so it appears to be down to location it hits land dictates how bad it was.

    I guess you got lucky and your parents less so. Take care.
    Signature
    `
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767800].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    A typhoon and a hurricane are both 'tropical cyclones' and the same 1-5 rating (5 is the worst) apply. The 'difference' is in location - in the Northwest Pacific they are called 'typhoons'.


    The hurricanes spin clockwise (southern hemisphere) and typhoons counter clockwise (northern hemisphere).



    I stayed for a couple hurricanes on the coast - evacuated as Katrina headed for my area...thankfully. My son was with the AF Hurricane Hunters and flew into those storms for over 16 years. Can honestly say since moving north, I have not missed hurricane 'season' at all.
    Signature
    Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
    ***
    2024 Patriot's Award for Service to Veterans
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767801].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author discrat
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    This last week my parents were a little bit north of the hurricane that hit Florida. Their property and the city were devastated with downed trees, lengthy power outage, etc. Conditions were the worst they'd ever seen.

    Today, my family on the other side of the world live a little bit north of a hurricane/typhoon that hit. Conditions were awful for a while (worst I've seen) and the power just came back on. The backend is still coming so we aren't sure yet about damage.

    What are the odds that this would happen? Very low I would guess.

    Have you ever had a similar experience where, against all odds, you and someone else at the same time faced the exact same problem?

    Mark
    Hey Mark that is really something. Sorry your family is going through this. Stay safe my friend and take care
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767804].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

    This last week my parents were a little bit north of the hurricane that hit Florida. Their property and the city were devastated with downed trees, lengthy power outage, etc. Conditions were the worst they'd ever seen.

    Today, my family on the other side of the world live a little bit north of a hurricane/typhoon that hit. Conditions were awful for a while (worst I've seen) and the power just came back on. The backend is still coming so we aren't sure yet about damage.

    What are the odds that this would happen? Very low I would guess.

    Have you ever had a similar experience where, against all odds, you and someone else at the same time faced the exact same problem?

    Mark
    Mark; Sorry to hear about this. But we remember the hits, and forget the misses. How many times has there not been two disasters involving people you know?

    I've heard, after a plane crash, "I thought something would happen". But they always thought something would happen, on every flight...for everyone they ever knew......they see the one hit, but ignore the thousands of misses.

    Before I was born, my parents had a son that died in a train accident. As an adult, another brother was run over by a train as well. What are the odds?

    Nothing mysterious is going on. Think of all the people who have not been killed by a train. Think of all the times we have crossed train tracks, and not been hit.

    And I think of all the deaths in our family that had nothing to do with trains.

    We remember the connections, but ignore the infinite number of times something similar happened, but there was no obvious connection.
    Signature
    One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

    “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.” - Matsuo Basho
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767816].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author max5ty
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post


      I've heard, after a plane crash, "I thought something would happen". But they always thought something would happen, on every flight...for everyone they ever knew......they see the one hit, but ignore the thousands of misses.
      Having been a pilot for almost 30 years now...something has always stuck out in my mind when I think about what you said...

      back in 94 when I was taking lessons, my instructor asked me if I was afraid of flying, I told him if it was my time to go I didn't have a choice...

      he then asked me what if it was his time to go when he was up with me.

      Funny how some of the weird things stick in your mind.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767935].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by max5ty View Post

        Having been a pilot for almost 30 years now...something has always stuck out in my mind when I think about what you said...

        back in 94 when I was taking lessons, my instructor asked me if I was afraid of flying, I told him if it was my time to go I didn't have a choice...

        he then asked me what if it was his time to go when he was up with me.

        Funny how some of the weird things stick in your mind.
        Your pilot was insightful.

        Something similar to thinking "When it's my time to go, it's my time"..

        An acquaintance once told me "Everything happens in threes".

        And I said "Yes, and you know why? Because as soon as something happens a third time, you start the count over again".

        And that's why it's better that I don't go to social gatherings.


        When I was a little kid, I got a splinter in my arm. It hurt. I told my Dad that I hurt my arm.

        He said "It will stop hurting when the pain goes away". I took him at his word, and amazingly it stopped hurting, and the pain went away. I still remember being impressed with how brilliant my Dad was.
        Signature
        One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

        “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.” - Matsuo Basho
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767955].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author lanfear63
      Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

      Mark; Sorry to hear about this. But we remember the hits, and forget the misses. How many times has there not been two disasters involving people you know?

      I've heard, after a plane crash, "I thought something would happen". But they always thought something would happen, on every flight...for everyone they ever knew......they see the one hit, but ignore the thousands of misses.

      Before I was born, my parents had a son that died in a train accident. As an adult, another brother was run over by a train as well. What are the odds?

      Nothing mysterious is going on. Think of all the people who have not been killed by a train. Think of all the times we have crossed train tracks, and not been hit.

      And I think of all the deaths in our family that had nothing to do with trains.

      We remember the connections, but ignore the infinite number of times something similar happened, but there was no obvious connection.
      I never knew about the two other brothers, especially both being killed by a train. You are a dark horse.

      I think I already told you this, that after my grandpa died, my father and his brother were sorting out my grandpa's stuff the next day. My uncle had a heart attack and died in my fathers arms. So, we had a double funeral.
      Signature

      Feel The Power Of The Mark Side

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767939].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
        Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

        I never knew about the two other brothers, especially both being killed by a train. You are a dark horse.
        Just two brothers. When he was a grown man, my younger brother was severely schizophrenic. He was walking along the railroad tracks when someone robbed him of his disability money (he had just cashed the check), killed him, and threw his body on the tracks. (probably to cover the evidence of the murder).

        So it was just him, and the brother that died before I was born. I often wonder, if my older brother had survived, would I have even been born? If I was, I'm sure I would be a completely different person.....different childhood, different family structure, different life.

        There are so many thousands of small events that happened, or didn't happen, in my life that would have completely changed everything....who I married, where I live, what I did for a living, whether I was happy or miserable....how many kids I have...everything.

        And it's the same for all of us.

        Chew on that for a minute, my Friend.




        Originally Posted by lanfear63 View Post

        I think I already told you this, that after my grandpa died, my father and his brother were sorting out my grandpa's stuff the next day. My uncle had a heart attack and died in my fathers arms. So, we had a double funeral.
        I'm very sorry to hear about that.
        Signature
        One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

        “Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.” - Matsuo Basho
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767958].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Singletary
    Good perspectives from Claude. And true too.

    Shane, some of those other hurricanes were hundreds of miles away and so there was wind, sometimes bad wind, but here they were facing the eye of the storm. That's what I was talking about. And yes, it's bad. Electricity to their place is still down and the daytime temperatures are high. Misery all around. Cleanup time is measured in weeks and months and not days.

    I think someone else asked - they are in Florida and I'm in Asia.

    Mark
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767839].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author DWolfe
      Originally Posted by Mark Singletary View Post

      Electricity to their place is still down and the daytime temperatures are high. Misery all around. Cleanup time is measured in weeks and months and not days.
      Mark
      Just adding it will take years for some people to clean up and get back on their feet. The rescue squad about a mile from here was closed approximately 8 years before they rebuilt it after Irene. Two years ago along the Point Pleasant boardwalk, there were a few houses still in limbo since Super Storm Sandy.

      The heat and humidity in Florida is tough to work in that environment. Only positive at least in the Winter they don't have to worry if spackle and tape will dry. Do they have some sort of GoFundMe page?
      Signature

      Will 2026 be a banner year? - https://newsletter.rallyrd.com/subscribe

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11768044].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Odahh
    Considering how merciless this hurricane season seams to with California and the south west getting hi a few weeks ago. And China getting severe flooding.

    The activity world wide this year probably effects the odds of what you pointed out happening. If it carries over too the winter months and we get a polar vortex with extremely powerful and wet storms there will probably be major blizzards in North America Europe and Asia at about the same time.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[11767941].message }}
Avatar of Unregistered

Trending Topics