The news lately about the blackouts in the Northeast got me to recalling my own single experience with disaster, which was Hurricane Alicia exactly 20 years ago today.

Of course we had a little advance warning that it was going to hit. I went to KMart for candles and batteries along with most of the rest of the population of Houston. At home I taped the windows and rearranged the garage enough to get the car in and then waited it out alone inside with my cat. We lost not only the electricity but also water and the phone. But they were only out a day or so for me and it felt more like an adventure than a disaster. Many others had far worse experiences.

What I remember most is the feeling of togetherness, of everyone focusing on a common purpose, both before and immediately after it hit. All other concerns were put aside. The differences we had felt just a couple of days before were forgotten temporarily. We were in this together and everyone seemed willing to help their neighbor. It’s the only time I remember experiencing that and as a result I recall Alicia almost as an enjoyable experience.