Category: North America

The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends on November 30, and while it was relatively mild, it still had a devastating impact on the Bahamas. Each hurricane has the potential to impact lives and alter landscapes forever.

Let’s see some recent hurricanes and their effects.

Katrina/New Orleans

Possibly the most infamous hurricane to hit the United States, Hurricane Katrina developed over the Bahamas in late August 2005 and quickly grew into one of the most intense recorded Atlantic storms. The storm weakened before it made landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi on August 29 as a Category 3 hurricane.

The hurricane brought with it a significant storm surge, causing catastrophic damage. Katrina then hit New Orleans as a Category 1 or 2 storm, but because of damage to the city’s infrastructure, accurate measurements were not recorded.

The series of levees which protected the city were breached during and after the storm. This left 80 percent of the low-lying city under water, and led to most of the storm-related deaths. Repairs to the levee system took years, but has been completed and hopefully the city will be safer for the next storm.

Although the governor and mayor ordered mandatory evacuations, many people were unable or unwilling to leave the city.

The sports arena known as the Superdome was used as a refuge of last resort. The structure sustained significant damage, and was without power for days, leaving people stranded inside without lights, air conditioning, access to clean water and sanitation, and vulnerable for days. It will forever be remembered as a catastrophic failure and tragedy for those who lived through Katrina trapped inside that building.

Sandy/New Jersey and New York

Sandy, one of the lasts storms of the 2012 season, was a phenomenal storm both because of its size–over 900 miles across–and the significant damage it left in its wake.

The storm formed on October 22, passed through Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cuba and then hit the northeastern United States as hurricane-strength post-tropical cyclone, basically a hurricane that was further north and with different temperatures and fronts associated with the storm.

Sandy came ashore the United States just north of Atlantic City, New Jersey, and then struck New York City, and the surrounding areas. More than five million people in the region lost power, significant flooding occurred, and homes and structures sustained significant wind damage. Costs associated with the storm totaled more than $60 billion.

Communities such as Breezy Point, New York, were hard hit. In Breezy Point, a fire broke out and damaged more than 80 homes before fire and rescue crews could overcome the local flooding and provide assistance.

Harvey/ Houston

The year 2017 was a particularly active year in the Atlantic, and the most costly on record.

The first storm to make landfall in the United States that year was Harvey, which made landfall in Texas and Louisiana on August 25. While it struck as a Category 4, it quickly weakened and became a tropical storm. However, Harvey slowed down and dropped more than 40 inches of rain in southwest Texas over several days.

Significant flooding, including in and around Houston, was so bad that the so-called “Cajun Navy”, a volunteer force of people with small rescue boats, had to provide assistance all around the region in addition to the services from the National Guard and government.

Irma/Cuba and the Florida Keys

In September 2017, Hurricane Irma developed and quickly grew into a dangerous Category 5 hurricane before it struck several Caribbean islands, including the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

It struck Cuba on September 9, damaging nearly 160,000 homes and impacting about 2 million people.

Irma then struck the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm. Most homes on the islands experienced some damage. As it moved across the U.S. mainland, people across dozens of states were directly impacted because the storm was more than 600 miles wide. While landfall occurred in the Gulf Coast of Florida, cities as far away as Charleston, South Carolina experienced significant tropical storm effects and damage.

Maria/Dominica and Puerto Rico

Just two weeks after Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria took a similar path and brought destruction to many places spared by Irma.

On September 18, the island country of Dominica was struck by the Category 5 storm, leaving the country totally devastated. It was estimated that nearly 100 percent of the island’s structures received damage, and the economy was left in shambles.

Two days later, Maria struck near Yabucoa, Puerto Rico as a Category 4. Thousands lost their lives during and after the storm, and the island’s recovery became a public relations disaster as the United States government appeared to intentionally stall in providing adequate aid to the territory.

Dorian/The Bahamas

On September 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian became the first major storm of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season.

On September 3, the storm made landfall in Marsh Harbor in Elbow Cay in the Bahamas, with sustained winds at least 185 mph. The hurricane stalled over the northern islands of the Bahamas for more than a day, causing catastrophic damage and loss of life. The areas hit hardest by the storm will take years to recover.

The storm threatened the mainland U.S., but avoided making landfall until Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. Hundreds of thousands of people lost power and sustained wind damage, but the overall impact was significantly less than anticipated.

The storm remarkably retained its strength and made landfall in Canada with the strength of a Category 2 hurricane, and finally dissipated close to Greenland.

Hurricanes can be devastating natural disasters. They’re unpredictable and can change the entire landscape and the lives of the people experiencing the storm forever with their power.

Looking back at these recent hurricanes reminds us to always be prepared for a natural disaster, and to show compassion to those who are impacted by a storm.

You’re walking down an old city street and pass a sad looking gentleman going the other direction. Something seems off about his character so you turn around to get another look … but he’s gone.

Unexplained encounters can happen anywhere, but if you’re in some cities, it’s a lot more likely to occur.

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts is a strong candidate for the most haunted city in the United States.

Between February 1692 and May 1693, Salem Town and surrounding villages were all involved in a mass hysteria of alleged witchcraft that led to the execution of 14 women and six men. Nineteen individuals were hung at Gallows Hill.

The final victim, Giles Corey, was executed by having stones piled on top of him, and leaving him until he died two days later. Corey is said to haunt Salem for his unlawful murder. He appears in the town’s oldest cemetery and before bad things happen in the town.

At least one other witch trial victim is said to haunt the city, and ghosts from other eras are well known throughout the town as well.

Restaurants that were former brothels, a funeral home turned liquor store, and houses built on top of burial sites all attract paranormal experiences in this very haunted city. Visitors can tour the Salem Museum and get a first hand education of the town’s history and look for the paranormal throughout the area.

Charleston, South Carolina

One of the oldest cities in the United States, Charleston’s history is full of stories that would leave people unable to move beyond their mortal experiences. As a wealthy port city, Charleston was a prime target for pirates. When the pirates were caught, they were often held in filthy dungeons and executed publicly to serve as a deterrent to other would-be pirates.

“Gentleman Pirate” Stede Bonnet was hanged for piracy and is said to haunt White Point Garden, where he was executed.

As a major port and plantation town, Charleston was famous for its role in the slave trade. The Slave Mart is surely haunted by the ghosts of men and women who were separated forever from their family and loved ones when they were sold as property on this site.

Other sites, such as Fort Sumter, are haunted by those who died before their time, unjustly or under suspicious circumstances.

Come to Charleston prepared to learn about the city’s rich, and spooky, history.

San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s history as a gold rush town, an entry way for Chinese immigrants, and home to all sorts who didn’t fit in elsewhere has led it to be one of the most haunted cities in the country.

Underneath its charming exterior lie many stories of immigrants who suffered at the hands of mine and factory owners, women jilted by lovers and families and those seeking vengeance for wrongs done in this life.

In nearby San Jose is the Winchester Mystery House, owned by William Winchester, heir to the Winchester repeater rifle fortune. After William’s death, a psychic told his widow that the only way to keep the unhappy spirits of those killed by the rifles at bay was to continually add on to her house. Construction took place nonstop for 50 years.

Despite her efforts, spiritual sightings and experiences are reported there to this day.

For hundreds of years, native groups would banish unwelcome community members to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, either temporarily or permanently.

During the Civil War, it was used as a military prison, and as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. Shortly after, it was taken over for two years by Native American activists reclaiming the land. Spirits from Native men, Civil War prisoners, federal inmates and others are said to haunt the halls.

Smoke, screams and slamming cell doors are common reported occurrences, witnessed by many who have close ties to the island.

While not all paranormal activity is limited to the disgruntled, betrayed or jilted in this life; the most compelling and bewitching stories are of those who have revenge, grief or mourning to continue that prevents them from moving on from this life.

If you visit Salem, San Francisco or Charleston, you should expect to encounter lost souls, so if you experience unexplained activities, it very well might be someone from the other side trying to communicate with you.

Not all hotels are created equal. Some are world famous for their luxuries, others have reputations of being sub par, while most are not memorable, just providing a good night’s sleep, decent WiFi, and maybe a hot breakfast in the morning.

But some hotels are famous for being infamous, tied to serial killers, untimely deaths, hauntings and murders.

Cecil Hotel, Los Angeles

Now called the Stay on Main Hotel, the Cecil Hotel is a budget hotel that has a reputation for housing transients, addicts and even murderers.

So many suicides have occurred that the hotel has earned the nickname “The Suicide” among it’s more familiar residents.

The serial killers Richard Ramirez and Jack Unterweger stayed there during their sprees.

The music group U2 filmed a music video for “Where the Streets Have No Name” with the hotel in the background.

Washington Hilton, Washington, D.C.

The Washington Hilton is a famous and elegant hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. that once had a reputation as being a gathering place for the political and social elite.

However, on March 30, 1981, it became infamous when John Hinckley Jr. shot at and nearly killed President Ronald Reagan.

President Reagan was leaving an event at the hotel when he and three others were shot by Hinckley, who was under the delusion that shooting the president would gain him the attention and affection of actress Jodie Foster, with whom he was obsessed.

The president and two of the victims were able to quickly recover, but White House Press Secretary James Brady suffered brain damage and was severely disabled for the rest of his life.

Stanley Hotel, Colorado

One of the scariest horror books, which was turned into a classic horror film, was inspired by the Stanley Hotel in Colorado.

Stephen King, famed novelist, stayed at the remote mountain hotel where he came up with the idea for the story The Shining.

The plot of a winter caretaker being possessed by the hotel’s spirits and attempting to murder his family was based on the story of a real hotel caretaker who murdered his family and then committed suicide.

Visitors to the Stanley Hotel can immerse themselves in the hotel’s history of being haunted if they dare.

Hotel Chelsea, New York City

The Hotel Chelsea was built in 1885, and has housed countless artists, musicians and other notable individuals. It housed survivors from the Titanic, including Mary, who as a ghost continues to wander the halls and gaze at her reflection in mirrors.

The hotel is not only haunted, it has also been the scene of murders and suicides, including the murder of Nancy Sprugen, girlfriend of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious.

The writer Dylan Thomas died of pneumonia in his hotel room.

Even those who did not leave the hotel after their last breath have had an impact on the hotel’s legacy, from Mark Twain to Andy Warhol to Jack Kerouac to Madonna.

Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast

Lizzie Borden was a single adult living with her father and stepmother when on August 4, 1892, they were murdered in their home in Fall River, Massachusetts. Lizzie was the prime suspect because of her presence in the house that morning and her suspicious behavior. However, she was acquitted of all charges after the jury debated only half an hour.

The house was turned into a bed and breakfast where visitors often request staying in the room where the stepmother was found.

Most people look for free WiFi, pools and free breakfast when looking for a hotel, but if you’re looking for something more exciting or more memorable, this list is a great place to start.

With all the craziness happening these days in Washington, D.C., some have asked if the people there have gone mad.

Well, have they?

Looking over the city’s long and colorful history of slavery, political intrigue and international dealings, it would make sense if the disgruntled, upset and betrayed individuals were rising up and demanding justice for unsettled scores and crimes.

The White House

The White House is home to several ghosts, the most famous of which is Abraham Lincoln himself. No less than President Harry S Truman himself told several accounts of seeing the 16th president on multiple occasions, pacing up and down the halls.

Dolley Madison also makes her presence known here, but she shows up in many houses throughout the city, as busy in the afterlife as she was while she was alive.

US Capitol Building

The US Capitol Building likely houses the most disembodied spirits, including one demon cat that appears before national tragedies and right before the presidential inauguration, which occurs on the steps of the Capitol. Rumor has it the cat was seen late on the night of September 10, 2001.

Other spirits include slaves who constructed the building, soldiers who died there when it was an army hospital during the Civil War, and even John Quincy Adams, who suffered a heart attack and died in the building.

Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters

Perhaps the most surprising and saddest haunted site in the city is the Federal Aviation Administration office building, which is now a boring government site. However, it was once the site of two large covered slave pens, which were used to hold slaves awaiting sale or transfer during the horrific slave trade in the 1700s and 1800s.

The pens were disguised by a plain yellow house, but those who were once chained to the wall, suffered hunger and pain, and separated from their families forever still haunt this place.

The Octagon House

The Octagon House is purported to be the most haunted residence in the city.

Built by Colonel John Tayloe III, it is likely that slaves were sold in the back yard, and it did house several generations of slaves in the early 1800s.

President James Madison and his wife Dolley resided here while the White House underwent repairs after the War of 1812. Dolley, of course, is spotted regularly on the front porch.

A daughter of Colonel Tayloe died in 1812; she and her father fought over a man she loved, and she ran down the stairs in anger. She tripped and fell to her death. Five years later, her sister also fought with her father, also over a love interest, and tripped while running down the stairs. Both sisters haunt areas of the house related to their suspicious deaths.

The Old Stone House

Giving the Octagon House a run for its money, the Old Stone House in the Georgetown neighborhood has a litany of ghosts, including children, women and a hostile man nicknamed “George”who has been known to strangle visitors. While the specters haven’t been definitively linked to individuals from the house’s history, the descriptions are consistent, leaving little doubt that this three hundred year old home has many otherworldly residents with unfinished scores to settle.

Today, visitors can tour the site, as it is part of the National Park Service.

Around every corner in the Capital it seems there is a ghost haunting their death place, looking for loved ones, seeking revenge, or just enjoying the social atmosphere, so be prepared to interact with both the living and the dead if you ever happen to find yourself in Washington, D.C.