When the temperature climbed to forty-five degrees, the safe zone was hit by its first sandstorm.
Sandstorms are a sign of desertification. Strong winds sweep up sand and soil from the ground, making them one of the most destructive natural disasters.
A sand-laden gale swept in from the mountains three kilometers away. Taylor Vance banged on a stainless steel pot lid with a stick, shouting at the top of his lungs for everyone to close their doors and windows.
Evelyn Ford moved everything from the yard back into the cabin and locked the shed and sheep pen. Fortunately, Ronan Kendrick had reinforced them earlier, so not even a level-ten gale could blow them away.
She took out a tarp to cover the pond, pulled up all the vegetables from the garden, and moved all the watermelons into her space.
In just ten minutes, the sky was blotted out by yellow sand. A WOOO WOOO WOOO sound arose as the storm tore through the trees and grass, heading straight for the safe zone.
