Did you know that the Farmers Almanac has predicted another flood for the Binghamton, NY area at the end of this month? (We suffered a historic flood September7 and 8 due to Tropical Storm Irene.) And did you know that this October flood is going to be even worse than the September flood?
You didn't?
Well, that's strange. Because in the last week, at least 5 different people have warned me about this predicted flood, knowing I live in one of the flood-impacted neighborhoods of the September flood. Even my spouse (the amateur meteorologist) thinks there may be something to it. All these well meaning people have told me not to have work done on my house (not that there is a contractor available in a 100 mile radius for work this month) because it will be all for naught. And, I should have my bags packed.
I looked at a website that trumpets the correct predictions of the Farmers Almanac, and it didn't mention this prediction (exactly). But a Google search revealed this rumor has been posted on the Facebook page of a local TV station.
You know what this Farmers Almanac following site did say what the Farmers Almanac predicted for October 12-15 for the northeast U.S.? "Pleasantly dry." That's why it's raining - with 1-3 inches of rain predicted for tomorrow.
Hmm...
Yes, you don't need a degree in psychology to figure out that this rumor started straight out of peoples' anxiety. I've blogged before about my anxiety now every time it rains. (and guess what it is doing now - yup.) I'm far from the only one anxious.
What a blow another flood would cause this area. And wintery weather can start here the end of October, too. What a combination.
I am not going to mock the rumor. I am going to be watching the weather carefully. But I would have, anyway.
Not only that, but this rumor brings back a bad memory of another rumor.
How spooky, in a way, because this flood came almost at the 10 year anniversary of 9/11.
Does anyone remember a rumor that started to circulate not long after 9/11/01 which said that there would be another terrorist attack on Halloween (October 31)? It cited all types of "evidence". I remember getting a lot of emails on that subject - variations on a common theme.
The October 31, 2001 attack? It didn't happen. It was straight out of everyone's anxiety.
I hope this one is, too.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
1 comment:
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We had the same thing happen here after the February 22 earthquakes -- some zealots were going around scaring people, saying another big earthquake was coming on a certain day.
ReplyDeleteParents even pulled their kids out of school because they were scared (the kids more than the parents).
People can be silly & irrational!