Devastating. Mind-boggling. Heartbreaking. Unimaginable. There are plenty of words to describe Hurricane Irma. After watching Hurricane Harvey wreak havoc on Texas, with barely a break in the action, along comes another hurricane which  first changed the landscape on many Caribbean islands forever before heading for the U.S. mainland.

We followed Hurricane Irma’s path as it headed for the Florida coast, and most of us are still in disbelief that it could have such an impact on both Florida’s east and west coasts. It has truly been a monster hurricane, one of the largest we’ve ever experienced, and one which just didn’t want to quit. As of Monday morning, it was still making its presence known. It may take time to determine how many lives have been lost, but we all realize it could have been much worse had it not been for our weathermen  and government agencies keeping us so well-informed, and for families taking its threat seriously.

What has happened in Florida has been especially personal to  Midcoast Maine residents, because so many have second homes there, and spend much of the winter in the warmer climes. A number of long-time area residents have now retired and make Florida their year-round home. We’re sure that in the next few weeks, we’ll learn about the fate of some of their properties and how Hurricane Irma changed their lives.

It will take years to assess the damages and to rebuild. Our hearts go out to the thousands who have lost everything, both in Texas and Florida, as well as other areas of the country impacted by the recent hurricanes. It’s hard to imagine what it must be like to wake up and find out that all your personal belongings are gone forever. Having to start over again isn’t an easy thing for anyone.

We owe all of the first responders and hundreds of volunteers a debt of gratitude for working around the clock to help make a difference. They are the driving force giving victims the will to pick up the pieces of their lives and go on.

Rising sea levels and water temperatures promise that we’ll face more deadly hurricanes in the future, a sobering thought, indeed.