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Hurricane, Bahamas by Winslow Homer, 1898 (public domain - Wikimedia Commons)

“Anyone can steer the ship when the sea is calm.” — Publius Syrus, c. 40 B.C.

Hurricanes are notable for their circular pattern, with an “eye” at the center that is eerily calm.

In the days before satellite tracking, the eye was a welcome respite from the howling winds and rain that pummeled unfortunate victims. What quickly follows the eye is the rear wall of the hurricane, which can be more forceful than the initial onslaught.

“It began about dusk from the north and raged very violently till ten o'clock. Then ensued a sudden and unexpected interval, which lasted about an hour. Meanwhile, the wind was shifting round to the southwest point, from whence it returned with redoubled fury and continue so till near three o'clock in the morning. Good God! What horror and destruction—it's impossible for me to describ…