I’ve asked my friend Chris Saul for permission to share a message that’s been on my mind in the aftermath of this hurricane. I try never to write something I don’t believe or something that might not be helpful to others.
Please assume that this hurricane was almost literally a dry run. Don’t let any hurricane fool you. Each one has its own personality. Fortunately, we don’t always find ourselves directly in the path of a major storm here in Okaloosa County. But never trust a hurricane to be completely predictable. They rarely are.
Now, here’s the lesson I hope we all remember.
First your relationship with your neighbor is important, but it will be put to the test by the tall pine in his yard.
Who owns that tree? He does! The same principle doesn’t apply to branches hanging over your yard or pool, and unhealthy or severely leaning trees get a different rule.
But what happens when that tree falls?
If a tree comes over that we all thought was healthy, God did it. The law calls it an “Act of God”. Don’t assume you can sue your neighbor. You can’t. If the tree was dead, diseased, or presented a danger that the owner knew or should have known about, that’s different.
But generally, call your insurance company and then help your neighbor cut the tree , or not. Split the firewood if you can.
But your relationship with your neighbor is likely more important to your future than that tree. An unhealthy or dangerously leaning tree is a discussion for another day.
Finally, use this experience to prepare for something far worse than the inconvenience of this storm. Make a list of the things you could have prepared better. Review your supplies, your insurance, your emergency plans, and the things you would need if the power or communications were out for longer than two or three days.
Please don’t assume the next hurricane will be just as manageable as this one.
