The Sky’s Falling Down in Cleveland 

What precautions do you normally take for immediate weather emergencies? 

I’m taking a nap at my cousin’s house in preparation for a likely long night of Guardians baseball at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio. I know there’s an 80% chance of showers on Tuesday night but with my trusty poncho to use,  I figure that’s no big deal to watch in person, Cleveland Guardians baseball . All of a sudden I hear loud ringing alerts on my phone of an imminent storm approaching with possible tornado warnings upcoming. Take cover immediately the message repeats over and over!

Within minutes, the bedroom windows suddenly shudder as I hear pelting rain and high winds abruptly arriving.But I just figure the bad weather  will soon pass so I wait for the next lull in the storm before setting off for the game via Cleveland’s RTA rail connection. I arrive at the train station and  notice people milling around the parking lot in apparent disarray.I join the melee and quickly find out that the entire RTA system has been closed indefinitely  because of property  damage blocking the train lines. One teenager yells out we must  all drive to the stadium and many others seemingly agree and form a convey of cars heading to the stadium.

Know that with some reluctance, I too move cautiously through the storm by car a few miles to the stadium downtown and thankfully park my vehicle in a  a relatively cheap parking lot nearby. A few other committed fans then join me to batten down our rain gear for the slow walk through mud and muck as expected. I  know the game will be delayed as the tarpaulin covers the field when I pass through the entry gate.

Finding some relief from this weather predicament, I notice hordes of baseball fans like me have also chosen to be here tonight not knowing how long the rain delay will last or even whether the game will be played. So I’m resigned to just wait at my upper deck seat mummified in my poncho, watching one squall after another pass through the area. Finally, around two hours later the game is called. 

After returning back to my cousin’s house , I hear reports that the local neighborhood  has been severely damaged by toppled trees, downed  power lines and widespread electrical blackouts. Yet I will return eagerly  tomorrow to the stadium  for the upcoming day game rain or shine. For sheer joy of the game for me will always overcome any obstacles I might face along the way.