 "Photo: Provided Photo")
Bret Simon said he waited more than 20 years to experience a tornado when he lived in Carbondale, but it never came.
One year is it all took for him to experience the power of multiple tornadoes when Hurricane Ike stormed through Galveston, Texas.
Simon, an SIUC alumnus and doctor at University of Texas Medical Branch, left his home in Galveston to visit family in Carbondale two days after Hurricane Ike hit the town. Simon sat down with the Daily Egyptian to discuss the thrills and dangers of observing a hurricane.
DE: How long had it been since a hurricane came through Galveston?
Simon: Hurricane Rita just missed three years ago so Galveston has not had a direct hit for many, many years. So this was a big deal, but what shocked me was driving 800 miles and seeing all the downed trees. I had no idea the storm's impact reached this far.
DE: How prepared was the town for the hurricane?
Simon: There is a sea wall that was built after the great 1900 storm. It's a concrete wall that protects the city from the gulf. The west end was the first to go through a mandatory evacuation since the wall didn't protect that side. I live three blocks from the sea wall, so I knew I would be well-protected and decided to stay.
DE: What made you want to stay, knowing a hurricane was coming?
Simon: I wanted the experience. I feel lucky I only had to wait a year to directly experience one. I knew I would not have to worry about flooding because of where I lived. All I lost was some siding and a gate. But three blocks makes all the difference. The other side of town was much lower and had a tremendous amount of flooding and damage.
DE: How was the experience of watching a hurricane go through the town?
Simon: I stood right in the middle of the eye and I would estimate it was about 18 miles. The water was rising in my street and it was pouring and then it got completely quiet right away - strangely quiet. I thought it had passed, but about an hour and a half later the wind was ferocious and the rain started immediately. I had to stand on an angle, because standing upright would have blown me over.
DE: What was the aftermath of the hurricane like?
Simon: The families next to my house stayed and weren't really affected. There was tremendous damage just a few blocks down and the next 48 hours was devoted to search and rescue. But when I was driving up here, I must have seen 300 bucket trucks and chippers driving down to Galveston and other areas ready to help clean the damage.
DE: What did the aftermath of the hurricane look like at the university?
Simon: I went to the university after the storm and it was as tall as me. The water on campus was at least 6 feet deep. Most of the buildings were flooded so I was told the university would be closed for a minimum two weeks, but I think it will be longer.
DE: Would you ever want to experience a hurricane
firsthand again?
Simon: If it were a category 4 or 5, I would leave. I took a risk, but it was a measured risk. It's an awesome sight to witness. Even though it can cause massive property damage and people can lose their lives, it is exciting. Just like tornado chasers, I am the type of person who wants to have that experience.
Jeff Engelhardt can be reached at
536-3311 ext. 268 or jengel@siu.edu.
