'It's not the wind and rain
you have to watch out for,'
he said, as my cameraman
and I observed another big
wave explode over the
seawall.  'It's the bits and

chunks of people's lives
and buildings you have to
duck.  And when it stops:
wear high-water boots.
Don't step on fallen power
lines and be careful of

snakes:  they want to get
out of the way, too.  Hope
you like non-perishables,
because there won't be
any electricity for weeks.'
He looked at my pallid

face and asked, 'Who is
it you work for again?'
When I told him the news
station, his eyes twinkled.
'Ah,' he chuckled, 'The cub
reporter sent out to cover

!THE BIG STORM!  They
couldn't pay me enough.'
He got in his car and drove
away, last in a long line of
vehicles leaving The City,
leaving Jeff and I behind.