subject: Mini Storm On The Coast Of Florida [print this page] It was a beautiful, sunny day in Stuart, Florida. The weather forecast promised mid eighties, tropical breezes, and a ten percent chance of thunder storms. It was a perfect Chamber of Commerce day.
It was a good day to work outdoors. The whole area was buzzing with activity. Residents were following their daily routines, working at the projects that keep a community operational.
Many construction projects were in full swing. A large excavation project was under way. A mass of the sandy soil of South Florida was piled high as they prepared the lower extremities of the project.
The mound of earth had grown day by day as the construction crews continued transporting their loads up its side. Other crews were continually maintaining the mound to facilitate their passage.
The excavation for the project was nearing completion. Inside partitions were added as new apartments were completed to accomodate future residents.
The waiting list of new residents grew with each passing day. They moved in as sections of the project were completed.
It was an open end project able to accomodate the continious balooning of new residents drawn to the sunny south. It created many jobs which was a boon to the community. Life was good and everyone was busy.
Late in the afternoon, without any warning from the powers that be, the sky darkened and the wind began to pick up, making a loud roar. The storm came upon them so fast that many were unable to reach shelter.
The wind picked up great amounts of the sandy soil piled high creating a blackout sand storm. Anyone failing to reach shelter was thrown about like a rag doll.
The wind and roar began pass and as it faded the dust began to settle.
Dazed survivors stumbled through the devastation. Take-charge individuals began to organize and evaluate the situation. Many corpses were strewn about the landscape.
Those who had escaped the terrible fate all pitched in to help where they could.
As they concentrated on the task at hand, they suddenly realized the sound was getting louder again. Once more they dove for cover. As it broke over them. What survived the first on slaught was destroyed by the second wave. It was complete distruction, nothing stood above ground level. The storm was to violent that most of the earthen mound had been blown away.
The community had lost at least half of its residents.
"Damn fire ants!" muttered the old man as he pushed his mower across the lawn.
