Storm Eunice

 

Yesterday we were hit by the storm Eunice - in case if you wondered, the storms have names to distinguish them from each other and apparently here in Europe we do it since 2015 - names are given when meteorologists expect they will be dangerous - we were given warning in advance and everybody who is following the news knew there is extremely bad weather coming. The wind was 130 km per hour and it was quite alarming, with the trees falling down and rooftops being completely blown away. This did not come without a warning - again, I must repeat that we were told about coming storm a day before and media was constantly informing us that all the public transport will be closed, ferries, trains and planes were cancelled (though apparently some international flights continued) - at one point the whole country got NL-Alert, asking them to remain inside, and warning them that emergency phone lines were overloaded. 

With all of this, some people still felt as they must go outside and do something terribly important. As a result, four people died in accidents. Now, we knew even the time when the storm will start - that is why I did my groceries first thing in the morning, knowing that later I will have to stay indoors. I got all that I need and cancelled my romantic date (there is absolutely nothing that could not wait until next day) so when the storm arrived around 14:00 I was safely tucked inside. And still four people did not believe the news, would not listen to advice and had to go around while the trees and rooftops were falling all over the place. They didn't have to die - if only they listened, they would still be alive today - but just as with Covid, people always think they know better and in this case died from their own stupidity. Yes, stupidity. There is no other explanation or expression to describe the reaction to alarm released on national level, where despite everything that has been said, people still refuse to listen because they think they know better. I have literary 0 patience for this kind of behaviour and feel no sorry for people like these. 

Luckily for us, the storm happened on a weekend - many people have left their jobs earlier to be able to come home safely on time - but now it looks as there might be another storm coming on Monday, which will be a little difficult to avoid since people must continue with their works. I guess that in case of real emergency there might be some more alarm and everybody will go home earlier.