I went through Hugo on St. Croix in my 200 year old stone house--a category 5 when it hit us. The roof of my house peeled off while I was in it. Hid in the shower stall with a bureau pushed in front and the sofa cushions over my head with 100 lb dog and kitty inside!
I knew a lady that was on St. Croix for Hugo and I saw her pictures. They looked more like the freaky tornado pictures than hurricane pictures, 2x4s punched through car tires, etc. Total devastation... that must have been terrifying.
My Daddy moved there in 1968 and I sort of followed him down there--he was the island veterinarian.
And yes it was really terrifying, although not nearly as terrifying as having a hole drilled in my head big enuff to jam a tennis ball in!
Actually, it got me off the island and up here to study art (NC mountains) where I met the love of my life, Dr. Love. Talk about making lemonade!
I had a 2x4 poke thru the 3/4 inch plywood ceiling of my house like a straw thru a McDonald's lid!
And it blew all the paint off my brand new truck and the vinyl bed liner, too. I never did find my washing machine.
Oh, well! It was time for a change anyhoo!
Capt. Deb