Pausing for Natural Disasters

[bo_sox48]

While most of our members are fortunately unaffected by the ongoing effects of various natural disasters around the world, any site with over 100,000 users can feel the affects of a natural disaster at any given time. As such, I would like to remind everyone that the moderators are happy to pause your games if you are about to or currently experiencing a natural disaster that takes precedence over your games. If you have cell service and can spare a few moments, all you need to do is email [email protected] with your username and a brief explanation of what is going on and we will handle the rest. Your games can be paused for as long as you need, or you can simply be replaced without penalty or without docking your reliability rating if you prefer it.

Over 1,900 people were recently killed in an earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Indonesia, an incredible number. People in that area of Indonesia will need a lot of help getting back on their feet. If you would like to donate, MercyCorps is a reliable organization that actually gets your money to those who need it rather than using donations to cover upper level staffing or advertising costs. You can donate directly to MercyCorps for Indonesia here. If you prefer to donate through another organization, the New York Times published a list of reputable charities here.

Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida Panhandle yesterday as a Category 4 and will continue doing damage across the eastern seaboard through Friday morning. Based on my experience with storm chasing, damage, and surveying and the accounts of some friends that are there giving their firsthand takes, there is a real chance that Michael is upgraded to a Category 5 upon review, which would make it just the fourth Category 5 hurricane to make landfall in the United States and the first since Andrew in 1992. The official death toll at the moment is low but it will rise substantially and a few Florida towns in its most direct path will likely have to be entirely demolished and rebuilt from the ground up.

This is a brief clip from Mexico Beach, Florida, this morning. If you would like to donate to hurricane victims, the American Red Cross despite its issues in the past is the most reliable and most resourceful organization for urgent relief efforts. You can donate to directly to their Hurricane Michael relief effort here.

As always, feel free to contact myself or the moderators at [email protected] with any questions.

[bo_sox48]

On the heels of a very likely major severe weather outbreak in the southern and eastern US this weekend, I’m reiterating that we will pause for you without question if you are affected by a natural disaster. Please do not feel hesitant to email us once you are safe and out of harm’s way.

[Puddle]

Wait were supposed to get bad weather??

[bo_sox48]

If you live in E Texas, Louisiana, southern Arkansas, Mississippi, or Alabama, yes, the next few days.

[bo_sox48]

Unironically timed bump

[bo_sox48]

Bump. Sorry to all mobile users for the ridiculously long banner. It will shorten in a few days.

[Octavious]

Is there a potential natural disaster on the cards?

And the year had been going so well...

[bo_sox48]

There is. Very unlike 2020, yes.

[Octavious]

Dear God!

What in the name of all that's holy turned the south west of the US into such a barren, featureless wasteland?!?

[bo_sox48]

Drylines.

You should travel the western US sometime. It's pretty epic.

[bo_sox48]

Tis the season!

[dargorygel]

Tis the season!

Watching the sky today