Florida Catholics Prepare for Hurricane Dorian

As Hurricane Dorian heads toward Florida, the state is getting ready for their first major storm of the season. A state of emergency has been declared and the storm is predicted to make landfall Monday as a Category 3 or 4 storm. The Most Rev. Thomas Wenski of the Archdiocese of Miami joined Morning Air® to discuss how his diocese is preparing for the impending storm.

“We’ve communicated with all our pastors, asking them to implement their hurricane plans and that’s well underway. I think most people are calm but they’re taking the hurricane seriously. Already there are lines outside of gas stations, people gassing up so they can fuel. Even though the tap water is safe to drink, people are buying out tons of bottled water from the various supermarkets in the area and stocking up on food, etc. So they’re getting ready and preparing for the worst and hoping for the best,” said Archbishop Wenski.

When we’re faced with difficult situations such as natural disasters, we should turn to the Author of Peace. “Prayer helps calm our fears,” says Archbishop Wenski. It’s important to find that calm in tense situation so that we can help those around us, including our children, to also remain calm.

It’s an opportunity to practice trust and humility. “The fact that the forecasters cannot say with any precision where it will hit Florida … is a reason for us to be humble against the forces of mother nature. And to realize that as human beings we’re not always in charge. So we have to let go and let God, as they say.”

These disasters, even if we’re watching from a distance and not experiencing them firsthand, put things into perspective. It reminds us that “we’re not in charge and we have to trust in that higher power and to recognize that we are not the masters of the universe,” says the archbishop. It also gives us the opportunity to reach out in love to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Even in the darkest moments, we see the goodness of humanity as communities help their neighbors and work to care for and protect the most vulnerable.

Hear the full segment:

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Lindsey is a wife, mother, and contributing author at Relevant Radio. She holds a degree in Journalism and Advertising from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Lindsey enjoys writing, baking, and liturgical living with her young family.