How I survived two Hurricanes back to back (Hurricane Helene and Milton)

I was walking down my neighborhood and noticed a smashed mailbox. I then realized it was because of this down tree after Hurricane Helene. What if it fell to the house? (Picture from the Authors iPhone)

Growing up in the Philippines, I became all too familiar with the typhoon season. But nothing prepared me for the wild ride of surviving two hurricanes back-to-back: Typhoon Helene and Hurricane Milton. Buckle up — this is my tale of wind, water, and a lot of wit!

The Wild Winds of Helene

It all started with Typhoon Helene, which barreled through our area like an uninvited party guest. One moment, the sky was clear, and the next, it looked like someone had thrown a black tarp over the world. As the first raindrops fell, I could almost hear my mom yelling, “Did you stock up on snacks?” Because let’s be honest — what’s a storm without some munchies?

We scrambled to prepare. Canned goods? Check! Bottled water? Double check! Flashlights? Well, one was broken, but hey, it gave us an excuse to cuddle in the dark! As the winds picked up, we secured the windows and gathered in the living room, our “hurricane party” zone, complete with snacks and a game plan.