Rose, your post brought tears to my eyes. Wow thank you. Your mother's story is amazing and I totally understand. It is interesting you did not come out even more scathed. I do same thing with windows and up the volume of t.v.
Yes you are so right, animals blow me away with their surviving techniques. My brother teases me that my 5 lb cat Missy has my fears and anxiety. At the first hint of thunder or lightening she races for under the love seat which doesn't have much room underneath. My 9 lb cat Tabitha doesn't go to her hiding place until storm is more advanced.
Hurricane Sandy sounds like was quite the experience for your area and 90 mile an hour winds are not good in the woods. Eek. Scary.
Oh yes Websleuths has the most excellent Hurricane coverage. I have been a member for several years and it was only last year I discovered Websleuths covers more than murder and the missing. I was blown away lol. No pun intended.
Thank you to everyone on here. You are very special caring people.